Dubai Founders HQ and Antler Launch Entrepreneur Academy to Help Entrepreneurs Build Startups in Dubai
Six-week programme provides aspiring founders with practical startup training, AI tools, mentorship and a pathway into Dubai’s innovation ecosystem
Dubai Founders HQ has partnered with global early-stage venture capital firm Antler to launch the Entrepreneur Academy, a six-week programme designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs transform business ideas into viable startups.
The initiative is aimed at individuals with the ambition to start a business but who may lack the experience, knowledge, or confidence to begin. Through practical, hands-on learning, participants will gain the skills needed to identify market opportunities, validate business ideas, build products using AI-powered tools, and prepare ventures for launch.
The programme combines online and in-person sessions, bringing together experienced founders, investors, operators, and mentors from leading technology companies, including AWS and Nvidia. Participants will receive practical guidance while gaining direct exposure to Dubai’s rapidly expanding startup ecosystem.
A key focus of the Entrepreneur Academy is the integration of artificial intelligence into venture creation. Attendees will learn how the latest AI tools and workflows are enabling entrepreneurs to move from concept to execution more quickly, efficiently, and with fewer barriers than ever before.
His Excellency Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the economic development arm of DET, said:
“Dubai Founders HQ was created to make entrepreneurship more accessible by providing founders with the tools, networks, and support they need to succeed. Through the Entrepreneur Academy, we are opening the door to a new generation of entrepreneurs by giving aspiring founders a practical pathway to turn ideas into action. Together with Antler, we are helping more people take their first step into entrepreneurship while strengthening Dubai’s pipeline of future startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies in support of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.”
Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, stated:
“The Entrepreneur Academy supports ambitious, emerging talent gain practical exposure to the tools, technologies, and commercial thinking needed to develop successful technology-driven ventures. This initiative reflects Dubai Founders HQ’s continued efforts to expand Dubai’s digital business ecosystem and create new paths for entrepreneurs to contribute to the emirate’s thriving innovation economy.”
Magnus Grimeland, Founder and CEO of Antler said:
“We believe exceptional founders can come from anywhere, but too often the barrier isn’t talent or ambition, it’s simply not knowing where to start. The Entrepreneur Academy is designed to remove that barrier. By giving aspiring founders the practical skills, the latest AI tools, and direct access to Dubai’s startup ecosystem, we’re helping more people take that critical first step from idea to action. Dubai has rapidly established itself as one of the world’s most dynamic places to build, and we’re proud to deepen our partnership with Dubai Founders HQ to widen the pipeline of founders who will build the breakout companies of tomorrow from Dubai.”
Practical Startup Training Led by Industry Experts
The Entrepreneur Academy curriculum is delivered by experienced entrepreneurs, venture capital investors, startup operators, and technology leaders from Antler’s global network and the wider innovation ecosystem.
Designed around practical application rather than theory, the programme teaches participants how to:
- Identify promising business opportunities
- Validate startup ideas with customers
- Build minimum viable products using AI tools
- Understand product-market fit
- Develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills
- Prepare ventures for long-term growth
By the end of the programme, participants will have a stronger understanding of how successful startups are built and scaled.
Direct Pathway to Antler’s Residency Programme
Graduates who continue developing their ventures after completing the Entrepreneur Academy will receive a fast-tracked application process for the Dubai Founders HQ and Antler Residency programme.
The Residency provides founders with continued venture-building support, access to pre-seed funding opportunities, mentorship, and long-term guidance, creating a structured pathway from idea validation through company formation and growth.
Strengthening Dubai’s Startup Ecosystem
The Entrepreneur Academy builds on the long-term partnership between Dubai Founders HQ and Antler, following the successful launch of Antler’s latest Residency programme in Dubai, which attracted founders from around the world to establish startups in the emirate.
Together, the Academy and Residency programmes offer entrepreneurs access to education, funding opportunities, experienced mentors, investors, and a collaborative startup ecosystem designed to help businesses launch and scale from Dubai.
The initiative also supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global centre for innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology while supporting the creation of 30 unicorn companies.
By expanding access to founder education and lowering the barriers to entrepreneurship, Dubai Founders HQ and Antler are helping cultivate the next generation of high-growth companies that will contribute to Dubai’s innovation-driven economy.
Launched in October 2025, Dubai Founders HQ is a joint initiative of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. It serves as the city’s central platform for startup and scale-up development, connecting entrepreneurs with investors, corporate partners, mentors, and ecosystem stakeholders to help businesses start, grow, and expand globally.
Applications for the Entrepreneur Academy are now open. Entrepreneurs interested in participating can learn more and apply at: https://dubaifoundershq.com/en/launch-your-business/dfhq-entrepreneur-academy
Photo credit: Dubai Founders HQ.
Source: Dubai Founders HQ.
