The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME) has strategically partnered with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority to launch GameForward, a dedicated accelerator program designed to cultivate Emirati talent and fast-track the development of commercially viable ventures within the rapidly expanding global gaming ecosystem. Announced on January 30, 2026, the initiative directly responds to the vast market opportunity presented by the gaming industry, which market intelligence firm Newzoo projected would reach $188.8 billion in revenues in 2025. GameForward is central to Dubai’s strategy to diversify its economy and integrate national talent into high-growth, future-focused sectors like digital media.
Fueling Dubai’s Creative Economic Transformation
GameForward aligns directly with the ambitious targets of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to solidify Dubai’s stature as a global digital economy hub, and the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, which seeks to place the emirate among the top 10 global gaming cities while generating 30,000 new jobs in the sector.
The program’s structure is tailored to address the specific needs of aspiring creators and scaling studios. Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting CEO of Dubai SME, emphasized that the initiative reflects a government-wide commitment to equipping Emirati developers with “world-class training and mentorship,” ensuring that homegrown innovation remains vital to Dubai’s sustained economic future.
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, underscored the cultural responsibility driving the partnership, noting that the program builds an “integrated ecosystem” that enhances developers’ readiness to compete regionally and internationally.
A Four-Pillar Framework for Success
Open to individual Emirati developers and teams featuring at least one Emirati founder, GameForward is scheduled to begin in March 2026. The structured support spans four key strategic pillars aimed at transforming concepts into successful ventures:
- Technical Upskilling: Intensive masterclasses covering critical aspects of game design, monetization strategies, and professional publishing workflows.
- Business Readiness: Workshops focusing on developing a robust go-to-market strategy, effective user acquisition techniques, and perfecting investor pitch preparation.
- Strategic Mentorship: Access to personalized guidance from seasoned gaming industry veterans and technical experts.
- Ecosystem Integration: Utilizing resources like Dubai Founders HQ to strengthen community ties and connectivity within the wider digital entrepreneurship landscape.
This holistic approach is closely coordinated with the Dubai Films and Games Commission (DFGC), the primary entity responsible for advancing the emirate’s film and gaming industries under the Dubai Media Council.
High-Stakes Finale and Global Exposure
The accelerator process will culminate in a high-profile Demo Day during the Dubai Esports and Games Festival in May 2026. Finalist teams will pitch their concepts to a prestigious panel of gaming leaders and investors, vying for critical grants and funding opportunities.
The winning Dubai-based team will receive exclusive post-program support and dedicated global scaling assistance, providing the necessary operational infrastructure to accelerate growth and penetrate markets outside the UAE. This final stage is intended to serve as a launchpad, positioning a new generation of resilient Emirati entrepreneurs to actively shape the future of the regional and global gaming industry.
Through initiatives like GameForward, Dubai is leveraging its digital infrastructure and business-friendly environment to cultivate a globally competitive SME landscape, cementing its status as a launchpad for technological innovation.