Dubai Silicon Oasis, a dedicated special economic zone focused on knowledge and innovation and part of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), has partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Global Growth Hub (GGH) to announce the selection of ten startups for the second cohort of the MIT DesignX Dubai Accelerator (MDXB).
Overview of the program
Commencing in September 2023, MDXB represents the Dubai branch of the prestigious MIT DesignX Accelerator Program, recognized internationally.
The program features a comprehensive curriculum crafted by MIT, which has proven successful in its first cohort. This curriculum includes workshops and intensive courses on design and business, which will be conducted at the Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (Dtec)—the largest tech hub and co-working space in the MENA region, fully owned by DIEZ—until May 2025.
The startups participating in the program will enhance their business models, benefiting from mentorship provided by local industry experts, MIT alumni, and the support of MIT student interns.
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Culmination and Demo Day
The program will culminate in a Demo Day on January 30, where the participating startups, investors, industry colleagues, and stakeholders, along with the DSO community, will gather to celebrate the conclusion of this second edition. The event will also feature the awarding of the winner from this cohort.
Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Director-General of DSO, remarked, “Hosting this cohort of startups enrolled in the MIT DesignX Dubai Accelerator is testament to the resounding success of the inaugural edition. The accelerator program continues to attract global and local interest, with more than 400 applications received from across the globe. We are excited to welcome these 10 promising startups to help them refine their vision and achieve their ambitions. This initiative aligns with our commitment to fostering a thriving ecosystem for technology and sustainability entrepreneurs in Dubai and building a collaborative network of innovators that will develop solutions to address global challenges.”
Moreover, Gilad Rosenzweig, executive director of DesignX at the MIT School of Architecture and Planning, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “The first cohort of MDXB showcased amazing innovations, and I am thrilled to see what the second cohort will achieve. This program, bolstered by top MIT faculty, provides an ecosystem that fosters venture and leadership growth and encourages participants to leverage mentorship opportunities.
“These startups emerge to scale their innovations and make a lasting impact in the UAE and beyond,” Rosenzweig also noted.
Collaboration with global growth hub
Omar Hassan, managing director at GGH, added, “The launch of the second cohort underscores the exceptional potential of this program to shape the future of innovation and entrepreneurship. At GGH, we are proud to collaborate with DIEZ and MIT to create a platform where bold ideas converge with expert guidance.”
“This year’s cohort reflects remarkable diversity and a strong commitment to sustainability, perfectly aligning with global priorities and the UAE’s vision for a sustainable future. We look forward to seeing these startups achieve transformative milestones,” Hassan further added.
Startup selection and focus
Additionally, the selected startups for this cohort hail from Europe, the US, and the GCC, sharing a common focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles and sustainability. Furthermore, their innovative offerings span various sectors, including hydrogen technology, waste management, emissions reduction, and energy storage, among others.
Profiles of selected startups
These include Protium Technologies, a leader in sustainable hydrogen technologies specializing in hydrogen detection, water treatment, and bio-hydrogen solutions; Kanz, an AI-driven aggregator that streamlines and personalizes financing applications; PeykBot, a designer and operator of autonomous, AI-enabled robots for last-mile parcel and food deliveries; Bilqis GreenTech, a provider of waste management solutions aimed at enhancing waste recycling and minimizing environmental impact; and Travel Indigenous, a platform that offers eco-friendly, indigenous-led travel experiences throughout the UAE and Oman.
Additional participants and innovations
Other participants include Circa Biotech, which transforms organic waste into valuable resources like insect protein, biodiesel, and organic fertilizer; Net0, which provides AI-driven carbon accounting software to help organizations measure, reduce, and report their carbon emissions; EcoConnect, empowering businesses to ethically procure and sustainably manage suppliers; Theion, a developer of sustainable lithium-sulfur batteries for a range of applications, including mobility and energy storage; and The Hung Bag, a multifunctional bag designed for hanging on doors to facilitate the reception and organization of deliveries.
