Dubai Founders HQ
Entrepreneur Academy
Turn your "one day" into day one.
The Dubai Founders HQ (DFHQ) Entrepreneur Academy is a hybrid program for curious, driven people ready to turn entrepreneurial ambition into execution. Learn from practitioners, entrepreneurs, and investors while you build and launch your own app in just 6 weeks.
Applications close August 24th
Built for aspiring entrepreneurs
Built for curious, driven people ready to start something that matters. You don't need a startup under your belt, just the curiosity and drive to begin.
The New Starters
You're exploring what's next and entrepreneurship keeps calling. We give you the frameworks, mentors and community to turn that curiosity into your first real venture.
The Operators
You've spent years building expertise inside a company and you're ready to bet on yourself. Learn how to translate corporate skill into founder skill, on your own terms.
The Returners
You're stepping into a new chapter and building something of your own feels right. Do it on your schedule with the support of DFHQ behind you.
The Hustlers
You're already creating, selling or running something on the side. We help you professionalize, digitize and scale what you've built into a venture that lasts.
Six weeks of foundational knowledge
The frameworks, the network, and the hands on reps to move from idea to ready, in just six weeks.
Thematic Modules
Masterclasses, guest speakers, and working sessions delivered through our hybrid format at DFHQ.
Weekly Office Hours
One hour of personal coaching every week with entrepreneurship experts. Real feedback on your venture, your thinking, and your next move.
Investor & Ecosystem Network
Curated networking sessions with VCs, alumni, and Dubai's leading corporates. Connections that last beyond the program.
Structured Framework
Go from idea to validated business model in six weeks using proven frameworks.
Dubai Founders HQ: The engine of Dubai's startup ecosystem.
Dubai Founders HQ is a joint initiative of DET and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, established as the city’s central platform to connect founders with investors, corporates, and ecosystem enablers. As a flagship initiative under the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, Dubai Founders HQ is designed to accelerate the creation of high-growth startups, support scale-ups, and contribute to the development of globally competitive companies.
Launch Support
Everything you need to get off the ground, from licensing and legal guidance to business setup resources. DFHQ removes the friction so you can focus on building.
The Campus
A purpose-built founder workspace in the heart of Dubai. Classroom setups, workshop spaces, event venues, and a community of builders around you every day, not just on session days.
The Network
Corporates, investors, ecosystem partners, and fellow founders, all under one roof. DFHQ's network events and community integrations give you warm introductions that would otherwise take years to build.
The Ecosystem
Plug into Dubai's $51B+ startup ecosystem. With 90+ accelerators, 2,000+ funding rounds, and nine exits over $1B, you're building inside one of the world's most dynamic founder communities.
Six weeks. One launch.
From founder mindset to investor-ready pitch. Each week stacks a new capability — hands-on workshops, real customer conversations, and direct feedback from operators and VCs.
- 01Week 01 · Readiness
Founder Mindset
Startup mindset, founder readiness
Founder Readiness AssessmentWhat you'll doComplete your Founder Readiness Assessment and define your startup goals
- 02Week 02 · Insight
Problem Discovery
Find the problem worth solving
Opportunity MapWhat you'll doCreate your Opportunity Map and identify your top customer problem
- 03Week 03 · Evidence
Customer Validation
Talk to humans, not assumptions
Customer InterviewsWhat you'll doConduct 10 customer interviews and document insights
- 04Week 04 · Build
MVP Scoping
Ship something real, fast
Live PrototypeWhat you'll doDefine your MVP scope and build your first prototype/landing page
- 05Week 05 · Traction
Go-to-Market
Find your first channel that works
First Paid ExperimentWhat you'll doLaunch your first acquisition experiment
- 06Week 06 · Pitch
Fundraising
Tell a story investors fund
Investor Pitch DeckWhat you'll doProduce your investor-ready pitch deck
Pitch live!
Close the program on stage at DFHQ, in front of a room of potential investors, buyers, operators, and the founder community you've built alongside.
The details.
Application deadline
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Submit yours before August 24th to be considered for the next cohort.
Apply NowKey facts
- Fast-track into the Antler Residency for top performers
- 6 weeks part-time
- 20 modules + weekly office hours with entrepreneurship experts
- Direct access to investors, operators & the DFHQ founder network
- Free program
Questions, answered.
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Dubai Founders HQ, Dubai's home for entrepreneurs, powered by the Department of Economy & Tourism.
Your next chapter
starts here.
Applications close August 24th. Join the next cohort of entrepreneurs.