Dubai Founders HQ, a joint initiative by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, has formed a landmark multi-year strategic partnership with Antler, the global early-stage venture capital firm. Announced on February 11, 2026, the collaboration is designed to launch a flagship founder residency program, systematically upskill hundreds of prospective entrepreneurs, and accelerate the creation of a strong pipeline of venture-backed startups emerging from Dubai.
This pivotal partnership embeds Antler’s globally recognized venture creation model directly into Dubai’s entrepreneurial landscape, marking a significant step toward achieving the mandated goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy by 2033. The initiatives are projected to upskill more than 600 founders and ensure the continuous launch and funding of new digital economy companies.
Driving Venture Creation from Day Zero
The core mechanism of the partnership is the integration of Antler’s highly successful Residency Program, now delivered from the Dubai Founders HQ campus. This comprehensive program is aimed at ‘day zero’ founders—those with ambition but perhaps lacking a complete team or perfected concept. It provides critical support for refining business ideas, finding suitable co-founders, building Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), and securing vital pre-seed investment.
Founders will also leverage Antler’s Academy, an entrepreneurial education platform featuring high-caliber training delivered by the firm’s extensive network of investors, mentors, and technology partners. This end-to-end support model aims to close one of the early-stage ecosystem’s most persistent gaps: transforming high-potential professional talent into investable, high-growth companies.
As part of the deal, Antler has established its UAE headquarters within the Dubai Founders HQ campus. This strategic co-location ensures the Antler investment and program teams are deeply embedded in the local ecosystem, facilitating quicker iteration, enhanced investor engagement, and tighter alignment between venture creation and capital deployment.
Dubai’s Commitment to Global Ambition
Dubai Founders HQ, launched in October 2025, serves as the city’s central platform connecting founders with investors, large corporations, and key ecosystem enablers. Its mission is integral to the D33 agenda, which targets the scaling of 30 ‘unicorn’ companies (startups valued at over $1 billion) from Dubai.
His Excellency Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), emphasized the strategic necessity of the collaboration. “Partnering with Antler, an organization with a track record of success globally, allows us to translate our ambition into execution, supporting founders from the earliest stages of ideation,” said Badri. He noted that the partnership reflects a “sustained commitment to building real pathways for entrepreneurship,” positioning Dubai as a definitive launchpad for the next generation of global startups.
Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, highlighted the blend of local support and international expertise. He affirmed that the collaboration “empowers startup founders to gain specialized knowledge, practical experience, and forge strong connections with investors,” reinforcing Dubai’s standing as a premier global hub.
Magnus Grimeland, Founder and CEO of Antler, positioned Dubai as a crucial global launchpad for innovation, particularly in the realm of Artificial Intelligence. “As the world’s most active early-stage AI investor, we see Dubai as the primary launchpad for the next wave of agentic innovation,” Grimeland stated, confirming that the collaboration provides the structural platform needed to accelerate development and scale.
Immediate Action and Next Steps
By combining Dubai Founders HQ’s ecosystem mandate with Antler’s proven global venture creation and investment methodology, the initiative is poised to significantly accelerate the growth and diversity of the emirate’s digital economy. The partnership demonstrates a focused approach to economic development—grounded in collaboration and designed for measurable, scalable impact.
The application process for the flagship Residency Program is currently open, inviting ambitious entrepreneurs from the UAE and globally to build their companies from Dubai. Prospective founders interested in the opportunity to receive training, mentorship, and pre-seed funding can apply directly through Antler’s dedicated residency portal.
Resources for Aspiring Founders:
- Learn More: Visit the Dubai Founders HQ website for platform details.
- Apply Now: Submissions for the Antler Residency are accepted via the Antler website.