Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the special economic zone for knowledge and innovation and a member of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), has concluded the third cohort of the MIT DesignX Dubai Accelerator Program (MDXB) with a Demo Day held at DSO.

The MIT DesignX Dubai Accelerator Program is delivered in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Global Growth Hub (GGH). The milestone marked the completion of the program’s first phase, celebrating a new generation of design-led ventures positioned to address critical regional and global challenges.

Startups at MIT DesignX Dubai Accelerator Program

The third cohort of the MIT DesignX Dubai Accelerator Program included 11 innovative startups selected through a competitive process. Nearly half of the ventures are based outside the UAE, spanning sectors such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, sustainable materials, autonomous systems and workforce technologies.

During the first phase of MIT DesignX Dubai Accelerator Program, founders took part in intensive workshops and mentorship sessions led by MITdesignX, with support from MIT student interns and Global Growth Hub. Participants received structured guidance, access to Dubai’s innovation ecosystem, and connections with investors, corporate partners and government stakeholders.

At the Demo Day, a total of $27,225 (100,000 AED) in equity-free funding was awarded to the three top-performing startups, along with one-year Dubai Silicon Oasis business setup packages.

Additionally, Apollo Medica, which integrates AI and wearable technology to improve rehabilitation outcomes, and The BE Story, which develops bioenzyme-based solutions that convert organic waste into eco-friendly cleaning products, received one-year DSO business setup packages in recognition of their scalable, impact-driven innovations.

Badr Buhannad
Director General
Dubai Silicon Oasis

“The MIT DesignX Dubai Accelerator Program reflects our strategic commitment to advancing design-led, technology-driven entrepreneurship in alignment with Dubai’s long-term economic vision. Through our collaboration with MIT and the integrated ecosystem at DSO, we enable founders to translate research and innovation into scalable ventures with regional and global relevance, supported by direct access to capital, expertise and market opportunities.”

Gilad Rosenzweig, Executive Director of MITdesignX, said that, “We are thrilled to support the next generation of innovative entrepreneurs through this program. The third cohort has demonstrated not only remarkable talent, but also a strong commitment to developing solutions that deliver meaningful impact across the region and beyond. Initiatives such as this demonstrate how mentorship, collaboration and access to the right resources can transform bold technology ideas into ventures ready to scale.”

Prize winning teams

First prize went to Katrix AI for its real-time, cloud-independent platform that uses LiDAR, RADAR, GNSS, and vision to boost safety and accuracy in autonomous systems.

Second prize was awarded to Wellmatix, an AI-driven platform that accelerates materials and chemical R&D, shortening development cycles and enabling faster commercialization of sustainable solutions, including carbon capture technologies.

Third prize went to Nashid, a workforce verification and compliance platform for the industrial and construction sectors, ensuring personnel are verified and safety-compliant while improving transparency and operational efficiency.

Dubai Silicon Oasis-MIT strategic collaboration

The MITdesignX Accelerator Program reflects a strategic collaboration between Dubai Silicon Oasis and MIT to embed globally recognized, design-led innovation frameworks within Dubai’s startup ecosystem. Rooted in MIT’s model, the program combines research, design thinking, and commercial validation to help founders turn breakthrough ideas into scalable ventures.

Through equity-free funding, structured mentorship, and access to DSO’s integrated ecosystem, participants gain more than incubation. The program connects startups with academia, corporates, investors, and regulators, enabling them to test, refine, and scale their solutions.

MITdesignX Accelerator Program

Since its launch, MITdesignX Accelerator Program has supported more than 200 ventures across five continents, with portfolio companies reaching combined valuations exceeding $1 billion.

The expansion of MIT DesignX Dubai Accelerator Program reinforces the emirate’s position as a global hub for knowledge-based industries and advanced technology, while strengthening Dubai Silicon Oasis’ role in driving innovation-led economic growth.

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