Dubai: Dubai Holding has officially opened applications for the second edition of its ‘Innovate For Tomorrow Impact Accelerator 2025’ global initiative to promote entrepreneurship within a sustainable framework. The flagship programme, delivered in partnership with TECOM Group PJSC’s start-up and entrepreneurship incubator in5, challenges scale-ups from around the world to reimagine how to consume, produce, and regenerate resources to drive the transition to a more circular, sustainable future.
According to Emirates News Agency, entrepreneurs entering the competition will vie for a prize pool of AED850,000, with the winning scale-up securing pilot funding and a transformative proof-of-concept opportunity within Dubai Holding’s diversified portfolio. This edition calls upon participants to address some of the most pressing circular economy issues across three sub-themes: food loss and waste, resource recovery and regeneration, and digital innovation for sustainability.
Submissions are open until 25th November 2025, inviting innovators with inclusive, tech-enabled, and regenerative solutions that can unlock new value and reduce environmental pressure. From the global pool of applicants, 15 scale-ups will be selected to enter a 12-week hybrid accelerator programme. They will gain access to mentorship from industry leaders, masterclasses, and workshops designed to sharpen business models and accelerate market entry, investor networks, and ecosystem access across Dubai Holding’s portfolio.
The journey will culminate in a high-profile Demo Day in 2026, where the top scale-ups will pitch to investors, partners, and industry leaders. One winner and two runners-up will be announced, with the winning innovation advancing into real-world, fully funded implementation with Dubai Holding. The first edition in 2024 attracted 150 submissions from 31 countries, with winners including Othalo, The Surpluss, and Midori Network, all of whom have since partnered with Dubai Holding.
Huda Buhumaid, Chief Impact Officer at Dubai Holding, stated that by backing future-forward solutions, Dubai Holding is catalysing change that contributes to stronger communities and a healthier planet. The programme reflects Dubai Holding’s mission to empower communities and enterprises to drive sustainable development, alongside its commitment to advancing the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2031, UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, and UAE Centennial 2071 vision.
Powered by in5’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and designed with execution partner BOLT, the accelerator programme combines industry expertise, structured training, and market access opportunities to help founders refine, adapt, and elevate their solutions for scale. Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President at TECOM Group PJSC, on behalf of in5, supported the initiative, aligning with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to transform bold ideas into scalable and impactful businesses driving future sustainability.
The accelerator welcomes global applications from scale-ups with a functional prototype or Minimum Viable Product, early customer validation, or pre-seed to pre-Series A funding. At least one full-time founder must commit to the 12-week hybrid training programme and demonstrate a clear intention to scale within the UAE. Winners stand to get an AED500,000 prize in addition to securing proof of concept funded by Dubai Holding, with second and third place receiving AED250,000 and AED100,000, respectively.
Participation assures up to 20 dedicated mentorship hours per scale-up from industry experts, a year of in5 incubation benefits for the top five scale-ups, and access to over 250 discounted technology apps and platforms. Dubai Holding’s extensive ecosystem offers extensive collaboration potential across various sectors.