A vetted cohort
Eight to twelve companies who've all been through the same scrutiny. Your peer group is half the value.
The Accelerator
Twelve weeks from idea to investment-ready.
Two cohorts a year, eight to twelve startups each. Structured, demanding, and built around a deal structure that fits where you actually are — not where a template says you should be.
What the twelve weeks look like
- WEEK 0
Idea Challenge
Pitch live to a panel of investors and operators. Get scored across problem, solution, market, team and traction. The strongest are invited to the cohort.
- WEEKS 1–3
Foundations
Company structure, trade licence, compliance setup and the core financial model. We do the paperwork so you can keep building.
- WEEKS 4–8
Build & validate
Product, go-to-market, first customers. Weekly working sessions with mentors from the expert panel, plus introductions to potential pilot clients.
- WEEKS 9–11
Investment-ready
Pitch deck, data room and financial model stress-tested by our finance team until they survive real diligence.
- WEEK 12
Demo Day
Twelve minutes in front of the full investor network — often on the MESA stage. Then the follow-up work of actually closing a round.
Choose the deal that fits you
Scroll horizontally to view all columns.
| Track | What you get | What we take |
|---|---|---|
| Services-for-equity | Full programme, setup, compliance, deck, model, mentorship, Demo Day | 4–8% equity, no cash from you |
| Paid programme | The same programme, on a fee basis | Cash fee, optional small warrant |
| Success-fee | Funding facilitation, introductions, growth support | 3–7% of capital raised |
| Hybrid | Blended terms for stronger or later-stage teams | Reduced fee plus equity |
Pre-revenue founders shouldn't have to find cash they don't have. Funded founders shouldn't have to give up equity they don't need to. Hence the menu.
What you get, regardless of track
The parts of the programme that never vary.
Expert panel access
Legal, finance, technology, marketing and operations specialists on call throughout the programme.
Workspace
Desk space at Rotana Business Center for the duration, plus meeting rooms when you need to look serious.
Member benefits
Full access to Business in a Box from week one — 53 negotiated offers across every category.
Investor exposure
Demo Day plus ongoing introductions to the capital network as opportunities match.
Alumni status
You stay in the network, in the directory, and on the invite list — permanently.
Common questions
Do I need to be incorporated already?
No. Plenty of our applicants come in pre-incorporation — sorting the structure properly is part of what the first three weeks are for. If you're already set up, we'll review the structure and tell you honestly if it needs changing.
Do I have to be based in the UAE?
Not to apply, but you'll get far more out of it if you can be in the room for the working sessions. We run some sessions online, and we've supported founders entering the UAE market from the UK and wider GCC.
What stage do you take?
Anything from a validated idea to early revenue. Below that, the Idea Challenge is a better first step. Above Series A, you probably need capital more than a programme — talk to us about the investor network instead.
How competitive is it?
We cap cohorts at twelve so the attention stays real. Coming through the Idea Challenge with a strong score is the most reliable route in.
What happens if I don't raise?
Most companies don't raise on Demo Day — they raise in the three to six months after it. You stay in the network, keep the member benefits, and keep working with us on introductions.