Make in UAE accelerator graduates 11 industrial startups to boost manufacturing readiness
Emirates Development Bank and Brink graduate 11 industrial startups from the Make in UAE accelerator, boosting manufacturing readiness and export capacity.
The Make in UAE accelerator concluded its six-month cycle with a graduation ceremony as Emirates Development Bank (EDB) and project management partner Brink celebrated 11 industrial startups that completed the cohort. The graduates span sectors from food security to advanced manufacturing, and the programme aims to accelerate their transition from prototype to production-ready operations. Certificates were presented by EDB Chief Executive Ahmed Mohammed Alnaqbi in the presence of investors, industry stakeholders and programme partners.
Graduation ceremony and participating companies
The formal handover took place at EDB’s pavilion where each of the 11 startups received graduation certificates marking completion of the accelerator’s first phase. Attendees included senior representatives of Emirates Development Bank, Brink and a delegation of investors and sector partners interested in industrial scale-up. The cohort represents a mix of early-stage manufacturers and technology-driven production ventures selected for their potential to contribute to the UAE’s industrial ecosystem.
The companies showcased solutions across critical UAE priorities, notably food security and advanced manufacturing processes that support higher local value-add. Organisers said the selection emphasised both commercial viability and alignment with national industrial strategies. The ceremony underscored the programme’s objective to convert investment-ready concepts into export-capable production entities.
Programme design and curriculum focus
The Make in UAE accelerator delivered a structured pathway combining diagnostic reviews with customised growth roadmaps focused on manufacturing readiness. Participating startups underwent capability assessments and gap analyses that informed tailored plans covering strategy, operations and supply chain optimisation. The curriculum also addressed regulatory compliance, finance models and innovation management to ensure a holistic scale-up approach.
Startups benefited from specialist training modules and biweekly mentoring sessions designed to tackle practical manufacturing challenges. Sessions were led by technical experts and industry advisors who guided founders on process engineering, quality control and regulatory frameworks. EDB and Brink highlighted the programme’s emphasis on actionable milestones and measurable readiness metrics.
Support for production scale-up and export readiness
A core aim of the accelerator was to enhance production capacity and export preparedness for nascent manufacturers. Roadmaps created for each company included short- and medium-term targets for facility upgrades, supplier integration and certification pathways required for international markets. The programme also focused on cost engineering and productivity improvements to make local manufacturing commercially competitive.
Organisers reported active work on market-entry strategies that would position graduates for regional and global buyers. Export-readiness support included mapping target markets, compliance requirements and logistics solutions, alongside investor-ready financial projections. The integrated approach is intended to reduce the lead time from pilot runs to continuous production.
Investor engagement and partnership ecosystem
Investor dialogue formed a central strand of the accelerator, with weekly or fortnightly sessions designed to refine pitch materials and facilitate introductions. Startups received coaching on investor relations, term-sheet fundamentals and valuation considerations to improve their access to follow-on capital. Participants were also connected to potential off-takers and procurement partners within the UAE industrial supply chain.
Brink and EDB hosted networking sessions that brought together strategic and financial investors, industrial partners and public-sector stakeholders. The partnership model aimed to create a pipeline where capital, technical support and market access converge. Programme leads said this ecosystem-driven model is key to sustaining momentum beyond the accelerator’s formal timeline.
Leadership statements and strategic intent
Ahmed Mohammed Alnaqbi, Chief Executive of Emirates Development Bank, presented the graduation certificates and framed the initiative as part of the bank’s wider mandate to empower industrial startups. He highlighted the institution’s commitment to equipping founders with the tools, expertise and networks needed to build competitive, investor-attractive firms. Alnaqbi stated that hosting startups within the bank’s facilities was a stepping stone toward longer-term support and catalytic financing.
Yassin Aboudaoud, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director for Brink in the MENA region, underlined the joint commitment to strengthening the UAE’s industrial base. He said the partnership seeks to contribute directly to national manufacturing capabilities and to improve economic resilience through diversified local production. Both EDB and Brink framed the programme as an ongoing effort to bridge capability gaps and accelerate commercially viable industrial growth.
Next steps and expectations for graduates
Graduates will enter a follow-on phase focused on implementation of the roadmaps developed during the accelerator, with emphasis on capital deployment, pilot production and market trials. EDB indicated that select companies may be eligible for development financing and further technical assistance to support factory upgrades and certification processes. Continued mentorship and investor matchmaking will be available to high-potential teams as they scale.
Programme organisers expect several cohort members to begin commercial-scale runs and pursue export contracts within the next 12 to 18 months. Success metrics will include capacity utilisation, revenue growth and the number of companies securing external investment. EDB and Brink said they plan to iterate the accelerator model for future cohorts based on lessons learned from this pilot cycle.
The Make in UAE accelerator’s inaugural graduation marks a tangible step in the UAE’s industrialisation strategy, delivering tailored support that aligns startups with market and investor expectations. As the 11 companies move from planning to production, stakeholders will monitor their progress as an indicator of the programme’s effectiveness in converting innovation into manufactured output.