The Dubai Founders HQ is taking significant strides in fostering entrepreneurship through a new partnership with global venture capital firm Antler. This alliance aims to launch a transformative residency program designed to nurture early-stage startups in Dubai, paving the way for a new wave of venture-backed companies in the region.

Dubai Founders HQ: A Nexus for Innovation

Initiated in October 2025, the Dubai Founders HQ serves as a central hub for connecting budding entrepreneurs with investors, corporations, and essential resources. This initiative, a collaborative effort between the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, is part of the broader Dubai Economic Agenda, known as D33. The agenda envisions a significant doubling of Dubai’s economy by 2033, and the Founders HQ plays a crucial role in cultivating high-growth startups capable of competing on a global scale.

This partnership is more than just a collaboration; it represents a commitment to cultivating entrepreneurial talent in the region. The initiative aims to upskill over 600 founders, creating a robust pipeline of new startups launched and financed in Dubai. By focusing on nurturing this talent, Dubai Founders HQ is a catalyst for innovation, helping to shape the future of the technology and startup landscape in the emirate.

The Antler Residency Program: Bridging Talent and Investment

At the heart of this initiative is Antler’s renowned Residency Program, which will be implemented at the Dubai Founders HQ. This program is tailored for early-stage entrepreneurs and provides essential resources from the very beginning. It focuses on refining business ideas, connecting founders with potential co-founders, building Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), and securing pre-seed funding. In addition, participants will have access to Antler’s educational platform, offering top-notch training from a network of seasoned investors, mentors, and technology experts.

Antler has taken a proactive stance by establishing its UAE headquarters within the Dubai Founders HQ. This physical presence amplifies the collaboration’s effectiveness by enabling faster iterations, closer engagement between founders and investors, and a more cohesive relationship between the development of new ventures and capital provisions. This setup not only fortifies Dubai’s appeal to aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide but also enhances the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem’s functionality.

A Shared Vision for Global Entrepreneurship

Both Dubai and Antler are aligned in their vision of building a robust startup ecosystem. His Excellency Hadi Badri emphasized that the partnership serves to empower founders with the necessary infrastructure and resources to scale their global companies. Meanwhile, Saeed Al Gergawi stated that the collaboration signifies a significant advancement for Dubai’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, providing specialized knowledge and practical experience for founders, thereby fostering sustainable growth.

Magnus Grimeland, Founder and CEO of Antler, reiterated Dubai’s potential as a launchpad for innovative startups. He sees this partnership as a transformative step that creates structured pathways for talented founders, enabling them to construct the future of the digital economy from Dubai’s innovation hub.

This partnership dovetails perfectly with the aims of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, particularly its objective to scale 30 unicorns within the city and solidify Dubai’s status as a global innovation and entrepreneurship hub. By integrating the strengths of Dubai Founders HQ with Antler’s extensive experience in venture creation, they expect to nurture hundreds of new entrepreneurs equipped with defined pathways to growth.

Applications for the Residency program are now open, inviting ambitious entrepreneurs from across the UAE and globally to immerse themselves in Dubai’s rapidly evolving startup ecosystem. Interested applicants can learn more about the program and apply through the official websites.