Dubai Founders HQ Partners With Antler to Cultivate New Startups
Dubai’s strategic initiative to bolster its digital economy has taken a significant leap with the announcement of a multi-year partnership between Dubai Founders HQ—a joint venture of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy—and Antler, a leading global early-stage venture capital firm. Revealed on February 11, 2026, this collaboration establishes a flagship founder residency program designed to upskill hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs and fast-track the creation, funding, and scaling of a new generation of venture-backed startups emerging from Dubai.
Accelerating Dubai’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
The new residency program, delivered from the Dubai Founders HQ campus, is central to fulfilling the organization’s mission: to systematically support and scale high-potential founders. Dubai Founders HQ, launched in October 2025, serves as the city’s central connector, linking founders with vital investors, corporations, and enablers. This latest partnership is a key component of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy by 2033 and nurture the growth of future “unicorn” companies.
Through this strategic arrangement, the entities project that more than 600 founders will benefit from specialized training, generating a robust pipeline of new, funded startups. By embedding Antler’s globally recognized venture creation expertise directly within the local ecosystem, Dubai is actively closing the gap between raw talent and investable businesses.
The Antler Residency Model
At the core of the initiative is Antler’s globally proven Residency Program. This comprehensive structure supports early-stage founders from day zero, offering guidance on refining nascent ideas, identifying suitable co-founders, building minimum viable products (MVPs), and securing critical pre-seed investment.
Participants also gain access to the Antler Academy, an extensive entrepreneurial education platform. Training and mentorship will be provided by Antler’s wide network of global investors, experienced mentors, and technology partners, offering a complete and structured pathway from initial ambition to becoming a funded company.
To solidify this commitment, Antler has established its UAE headquarters directly within the Dubai Founders HQ campus. This local presence ensures rapid founder iteration, closer investor engagement, and a more streamlined deployment of capital, cementing Dubai’s reputation as an attractive launchpad for global entrepreneurs.
Leadership Endorsement and Economic Impact
Stakeholders emphasize that the partnership aligns perfectly with Dubai’s ambitious economic goals.
His Excellency Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the economic development arm of DET, underscored the strategic intent: “Partnering with Antler, an organization with a track record of success globally, allows us to translate this ambition into execution, supporting founders from the earliest stages of ideation. This collaboration reflects our sustained commitment to building real pathways for entrepreneurship.”
Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, commented that the partnership merges “global expertise with the comprehensive support model offered by Dubai Founder’s HQ, empowering startup founders to gain specialised knowledge, practical experience, and forge strong connections with investors.”
Magnus Grimeland, Founder and CEO of Antler, highlighted the region’s increasing relevance in technological investment. “As the world’s most active early-stage AI investor, we see Dubai as the primary launchpad for the next wave of agentic innovation,” he stated.
The collaboration directly supports the D33 agenda’s goal of scaling 30 unicorns from Dubai. By merging Dubai Founders HQ’s ecosystem reach with Antler’s investment model, the initiative focuses on delivery and collaboration to significantly enhance the city’s entrepreneurial landscape. Applications for the Residency program are now open, inviting ambitious entrepreneurs from the UAE and internationally to build their companies in Dubai and contribute to its fast-growing innovation ecosystem.
Key Resources for Founders:
- Learn More About Dubai Founders HQ: https://www.dubaifoundershq.com/
- Apply for the Antler Residency Program: http://antler.co/apply