- Dubai Holding's flagship scale-up programme empowers future-focused entrepreneurs to accelerate circular economy solutions for a resilient future.
- Participants will compete for an AED 850,000 prize pool and pilot funding within Dubai Holding's global ecosystem.
- Dedicated mentorship, expert training and investor access provided in partnership with TECOM Group's start-up and entrepreneurship incubator, in5.
DUBAI, UAE, 10 November 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dubai Holding, a diversified global investment company, operating across 10 sectors and 34 countries, has officially opened applications for the second edition of its global Innovate For Tomorrow Impact Accelerator 2025. The flagship programme, delivered in partnership with TECOM Group PJSC's start-up and entrepreneurship incubator, in5, is calling on bold scale-ups from around the world to reimagine how we consume, produce and regenerate resources to drive the transition to a more circular, sustainable future. Entrepreneurs will compete for a prize pool of AED 850,000, with the winning scale-up securing pilot funding and a transformative proof-of-concept opportunity within Dubai Holding's diversified portfolio.
The 2025 edition challenges scale-ups to tackle 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 25 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, gaining access to dedicated 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 diverse portfolio and world-class infrastructure and testing environments to validate and scale their solutions.
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 of the accelerator in 2024 attracted 150 submissions from 31 countries. Winners included Othalo (Norway), whose solution upcycles plastic waste into housing; The Surpluss (UAE), which redistributes excess materials across industries; and Midori Network (UAE), which converts plastic waste into construction materials. All three have since forged active partnerships with Dubai Holding, demonstrating the accelerator's ability to catalyse scalable, real-world impact.
Huda Buhumaid, Group Chief Impact Officer at Dubai Holding, said: "By backing future-forward solutions that can transform industries from the ground up, Dubai Holding is catalysing change that lasts, contributing to stronger communities and a healthier planet. Building on the UAE's vision for a more circular and sustainable future, the Innovate For Tomorrow Impact Accelerator enables scale-ups to unlock their full potential in an environment purpose-built for change, progress and impact."
The programme reflects Dubai Holding's philanthropic 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 combines industry expertise, structured training and market access opportunities to help founders refine, adapt and elevate their solutions for scale. Founded by TECOM Group in 2013, in5 has supported more than 1,000 start-ups that have raised over AED 7.8 billion in funding across the technology, media, design and science sectors.
Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President at TECOM Group PJSC, on behalf of in5, said: "As Dubai's leading incubator, in5's support for Dubai Holding's Innovate For Tomorrow Impact Accelerator reaffirms our vision to support entrepreneurs and innovators with resources and guidance to secure their long-term growth. Aligned with Dubai Economic Agenda 'D33', we will continue to help start-ups and scale-ups transform their bold ideas into scalable and impactful businesses that drive 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.
Applications to the Innovate For Tomorrow Impact Accelerator are now open until 25 November 2025. To apply and learn more, visit here.
Programme highlights:
- Winner secures proof of concept funded by Dubai Holding and an AED 500,000 prize, with the second and third place scale-ups receiving AED 250,000 and AED 100,000, respectively.
- Up to 20 dedicated mentorship hours per scale-up from industry experts.
- One-year access to in5 incubation benefits worth AED 90,000 for the top five scale-ups.
- 15+ masterclasses and workshops on business development, market entry, finance, technical guidance and legal compliance.
- Access to 250+ discounted technology apps and platforms.
- Collaboration potential across Dubai Holding's extensive ecosystem, including Real Estate, Hospitality, Asset Management, Entertainment and Community Management.
Note to Editors:
- Download images and video of the 2024 edition here
Innovate For Tomorrow - 2024 edition highlights:
- The winning solution from the programme's first edition, Upcycling Plastic into Homes by Frank Cato Lahti of Othalo (Norway), transforms plastic waste into affordable building materials. As the winner, Othalo is running a pilot project with Dubai Holding, building a pioneering multipurpose education hub made entirely from recycled plastic at The Green Planet Dubai.
- Runner-up Rana Hajirasouli of The Surpluss (UAE), with her solution Transforming Excess into Equal Access, is now a Dubai Holding partner. Her platform enables companies to trade excess materials and resources, reducing waste and optimising efficiency.
- Finalist Fedor Smirnov of Midori Network (UAE) is set to integrate his Urban Recycling Labs solution within Dubai Holding. Midori tackles plastic pollution through a distributed recycling network that converts waste into construction materials.
ABOUT DUBAI HOLDING
Dubai Holding is a diversified global investment company with investments in more than 30 countries and a combined workforce of more than 45,000 people. Established in 2004, Dubai Holding touches the lives of millions of Dubai residents and visitors through its extensive portfolio of over AED 280 billion worth of assets that support the diversification and sustainable growth of Dubai's economy across 10 key sectors: real estate, hospitality, leisure & entertainment, media, ICT, design, education, retail, manufacturing & logistics and science.
Our portfolio includes:
- Dubai Holding Real Estate, one of the largest integrated master developers in Dubai, combining the long-standing expertise of Meraas, Nakheel, Meydan and Dubai Properties. Its portfolio offers innovative residential real estate solutions across property development, project management, facilities and district management;
- Dubai Holding Asset Management, which offers a world-class portfolio of over 20 residential communities, 15 lifestyle destinations, 10 malls and 18 retail centres in addition to being the majority strategic shareholder in TECOM Group PJSC, which consists of 10 business destinations catering to six vital knowledge-based economic sectors;
- Dubai Holding Hospitality, which owns and manages 53 hotels as well as top-notch hospitality brands, including Dubai Holding's flagship hospitality brand and global luxury hotel company Jumeirah, which manages a portfolio of 31 world-class properties. Dubai Holding Hospitality's portfolio also comprises a diverse collection of unique award-winning F&B concepts.
- Dubai Holding Entertainment, the largest and most diversified media, leisure and entertainment company in the region, which comprises leading parks and attractions such as Global Village, Ain Dubai, Dubai Parks and Resorts and The View Palm Jumeirah; and media and entertainment venues such as Roxy Cinemas, Coca-Cola Arena and ARN;
- Dubai Holding Investments, a dedicated investment arm responsible for the Group's investment strategy and managing a diverse portfolio of strategic and financial investments across public and private markets in the UAE and internationally to drive diversification for the Group and seek attractive risk-adjusted returns. It has investments in Emirates NBD, Warsan Waste Management Centre, Du, Azadea and Nord Anglia, as well as joint ventures and partnerships with Brookfield, Emaar, Aldar, Tabreed and others;
- Dubai Holding Land Estates, which is dedicated to optimising and future-proofing the management of the Group's extensive land bank and supporting its commitment to sustainable urban development and economic diversification in alignment with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan; and
- Dubai Holding Community Management, an integrated, customer-centric company that focuses on creating and managing sustainable and vibrant communities. It is committed to fostering a sense of belonging and connectivity amongst its 1.2 million residents living in 58 master communities.
Website links:
www.dubaiholding.com
www.x.com/dubaiholding
www.instagram.com/dubaiholding
www.facebook.com/dubaiholding
www.youtube.com/user/dubaiholding
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dubai-holding
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