Building the next generation of AI-enabled Emirati startups
NEXUS is a 10-week AI-first incubation program at MZN Hub Al Qana, helping Emirati founders validate ideas, build products, and launch investment-ready startups.
Free to join. No equity taken. No cost at any stage.
30
Startups Selected
10
Weeks of Incubation
AED 0
Cost to Join
0%
Equity Taken
More than an incubator: A launchpad for AI-native ventures
NEXUS is completely free and non-dilutive. Selected founders work on-site at MZN Hub Al Qana for ten weeks, with an entrepreneurship curriculum, embedded AI training, weekly OKR reviews, and direct access to Abu Dhabi’s corporations, government entities, and investors.
One onboarding week, ten weeks of core programming, and a dedicated Demo Week — followed by four weeks of virtual post-program support.
One program, two founder journeys. Startups attend the same core workshops, with mentoring, exercises, and deliverables tailored to your maturity and your own OKRs.
Complete the AI curriculum and earn a certificate recognizing practical capability in agentic workflows, prompt engineering, AI tool stack implementation, and AI-driven product development.
Exclusive immersion visits to Innovation Alliance partners, an invitation-only Government Innovation Majlis, and curated investor introductions matched to your stage, not just at Demo Day.
Every startup leaves with two roadmaps: one built at onboarding to set direction, and one built at close translating outcomes into a concrete six-month plan.
Up to five startups are selected to attend the Silicon Valley Summit, covering 3 days of exposure to leading AI companies, researchers, and investors across 25 industries with more than 3,000 attendees.
Selected startups will receive access to MZN Hub Al Qana in Abu Dhabi as residents, receiving coworking space and services including support access startup enablement, professional development, commercialization support, growth and market access and community engagement.
Solve real challenges across Abu Dhabi’s priority sectors
NEXUS is anchored to the innovation priorities defined by our corporate and government partners but is not limited to any specific industries. Your startup should address a real market gap in any chosen focus area, including but not limited to:
- AI & Frontier Tech
- HealthTech & Wellness
- AgriTech & Food Security
- FinTech & Smart Services
- Climate & Sustainability
- Creative & Cultural Tech
Your path outlined from application to demo day
Thirty startups will be admitted to the program at MZN Hub Al Qana.
-
PHASE 1 | Applications Open
Closes Sep 20
Submit your application online. We’re looking for majority Emirati-owned startups (51% or higher) across any stage interested in validating their ideas, building products and launching investment-ready startups to be enabled through AI. We highly welcome first-time founders to join us! Applications are scored on team, market, product, and innovation potential.
-
PHASE 2 | Screening, Interviews & Selection
Sep 20 – Oct 9
Eligibility checks and structured scoring, followed by founder interviews, a joint validation panel, and a final Selection Day. 30 startups are admitted.
-
PHASE 3 | Onboarding Week
Week 1
Kick-off and stakeholder welcome, intake interviews, an OKR and KPI workshop with 1:1 alignment, founder pods, and your first roadmap. You leave the week with a clear 10-week execution plan.
-
PHASE 4 | Core Incubation
Weeks 2 – 9
Weekly core workshops, AI workshops and implementation clinics, weekly OKR reviews, bi-weekly founder pods, and 1:1 office hours. Mentor matchmaking, corporate introductions, and investor readiness support are delivered on demand as you’re ready.
-
PHASE 5 | Demo Week & Demo Day
Week 10
Pitch to investors, corporates, government entities, and ecosystem leaders at MZN Hub Al Qana, alongside a startup showcase of products and prototypes.
-
PHASE 6 | Transition & Follow-Up
Post-program
Four weeks of virtual support: your second roadmap with six-month milestones, founder office hours, pitch and partnership support, and continued commercialization follow-up.
Who Can Apply
We’re looking for committed founders, both experienced and first-timers, building real solutions. Before you apply, make sure you meet all of the following criteria.
Majority Emirati ownership
Your startup must be majority Emirati-owned, with 51% or more Emirati ownership.
Age requirement
Applicant must be aged 18 or above at the time of application.
Abu Dhabi residency
Must be residing in Abu Dhabi.
Development ready
Your startup must have a structured idea or a working prototype/minimum viable product.
Scalable business model
Your startup should demonstrate a clear path to scaling and creating value beyond a single market.
Availability commitment
Must be available to participate on-site at MZN Hub Al Qana for the full duration of the 10-week program.
What we look for
Beyond eligibility, our selection process rewards founders who show clarity of thought, real understanding of their market, and evidence of execution. We don’t just look for pitch polish.
We value teams that can clearly articulate what problem they solve, for whom, and why their approach is different. Show us what you’ve built, not just what you plan to build.
How You’re Evaluated
Applications, interviews, and Selection Day pitches are evaluated against criteria covering the fundamentals expected of early-stage ventures.
Team Strength & Commitment
Founder capability. Domain expertise. Availability and commitment to participate fully.
Market Opportunity
Size and urgency of the problem. Customer clarity. Room to scale beyond a single market.
Product Readiness
Working prototype or MVP. Technical viability. Evidence of execution to date.
Strategic Fit
Alignment to program focus areas and to Abu Dhabi’s innovation priorities.
Business Model
Clarity of revenue logic. Route to market. Competitive differentiation.
Innovation Potential
Originality of approach. Use of AI. Defensibility of what you’re building.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Is there a cost to participate?
No. NEXUS is entirely free. There is no application fee, no program fee, and no cost at any stage of the ten weeks.
-
Does Khalifa Fund take equity in my startup?
No. NEXUS is completely non-dilutive. Khalifa Fund takes no equity, no ownership, and no financial stake in any participating startup. Everything you receive is equity-free.
-
Who can apply to the program?
NEXUS is open to founders aged 18 or above who reside in Abu Dhabi, with a majority Emirati-owned startup, and a scalable business model aligned to one of the program’s focus areas.
-
What stage does my startup need to be at?
We welcome idea stage founders, early stage, pre-revenue startups, and more mature startups with a working product or early traction. Both experienced and first-time founders are eligible.
-
Do I need to be a technical founder?
No. The AI curriculum starts with practical tools and workflows any founder can use and goes deeper for teams whose product itself is AI.
-
Does my startup have to be an AI startup?
No. Every founder takes the “Building With AI” track, which is about running leaner and moving faster with AI in your operations. Startups whose product is AI take a second, deeper track, “Building AI”, focused on shipping something defensible.
-
Where does the program take place?
At MZN Hub Al Qana in Abu Dhabi. Participation is on-site, and access to the campus is part of the perks of the program.
-
How much time does it require?
NEXUS is a full-time commitment across ten weeks: one onboarding week, ten weeks of core programming, and Demo Week. Attendance is tracked, and founders below 75% participation are followed up with directly.
-
What is the AI Venture Practitioner certificate?
On successful completion of the AI curriculum, founders are awarded a certificate recognizing practical application of modern AI tools and workflows in startup development, covering agentic workflows, prompt engineering, prototyping with AI, AI automation, and AI-driven product development. Eligibility requires sufficient attendance across the AI sessions.
-
How does the international immersion work?
Up to five startups are selected from the cohort to attend the Silicon Valley Summit, chosen as the teams positioned to benefit most from international exposure to leading AI companies, researchers, and investors. Tickets to the 3-day conference will be covered.
-
What happens at Demo Day?
Demo Day is held at MZN Hub Al Qana in front of investors, corporates, government entities, and ecosystem partners. All 30 founders pitch, with an exhibition area showcasing products and prototypes, followed by facilitated networking.
-
What support is there after the program ends?
Four weeks of virtual post-program support: a second, tailored roadmap covering your next six months, founder office hours, pitch and partnership support, and continued follow-up on commercialization and pilot discussions initiated during the program.
-
Can I apply in Arabic?
The application form accepts responses in both English and Arabic. Program events and sessions will be conducted primarily in English, with bilingual support available where possible.
-
What if I’m not selected?
You’re welcome to apply to future cohorts. We encourage you to use the cycle to strengthen your startup and reapply. You will also be informed of other programs or initiatives that Khalifa Fund can support you with.
Ready to build what’s next?
Applications close September 20, 2026. Thirty places. Free to join, no equity taken. Start your journey today.
