MoIAT & EDB Launch "Make it in the Emirates Accelerator" for Industrial Startups

Emirates Development Bank (EDB), a cornerstone of the UAE’s economic diversification strategy, has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative — the Make it in the Emirates Accelerator. This program, launched in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), aims to fast-track the growth of promising industrial startups and scale-ups across the country.

First-of-its-Kind Platform Debuts at Key Industry Event

Unveiled at Make it in the Emirates 2025, held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the accelerator was introduced in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of EDB. This platform — the first of its kind in the UAE — focuses exclusively on industrial entrepreneurship by equipping founders with mentorship, expert guidance, market access, and strategic tools to expand their businesses and reinforce national economic resilience.

Aligned with the UAE’s Long-Term Industrial Vision

The accelerator complements EDB’s larger mission to fuel the UAE’s transformation through the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology. It provides critical support to high-priority sectors including food security, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and cutting-edge technology. Through patient capital, customized financing, and access to a robust support ecosystem, the initiative aims to help companies deliver top-tier, locally produced products.

His Excellency Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of MoIAT, said: “We continue to launch initiatives that enhance the competitiveness of the industrial sector by providing key enablers and incentives. The Make it in the Emirates Accelerator reflects our shared ambition with EDB to realize the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology goals. The initiative seeks to empower a distinguished group of entrepreneurs by fostering an ecosystem of support, financing, and innovation. This will unlock new opportunities for UAE-made products to compete globally and inspire the next generation of industrial leaders.”

His Excellency Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank, said: “Turning Make it in the Emirates into a global brand starts with empowering the right entrepreneurs — the ones with ambition, resilience, and world-class ideas. That’s exactly who this accelerator is for. Through this program, we are offering entrepreneurs a valuable opportunity to transform ideas into globally impactful projects, giving them the tools to scale, the networks to grow, and the confidence to lead.

“Since launching our strategy in 2021, EDB has provided more than AED 18.7 billion in financing and created over 32,000 jobs, and we’re just getting started. The Make it in the Emirates Accelerator is our next step in building a future-ready industrial economy, where innovation becomes a national export in its own right.”

Showcasing the First Batch of High-Impact Startups

At the event, EDB presented the first wave of startups benefiting from the accelerator. These include:

> Pure Soil, a leader in sustainable organic food production

> Yala Kombucha, a health-focused brand producing award-winning probiotic drinks

> Sulmi, the UAE’s first locally founded electric motorbike manufacturer focused on green mobility

> Dein, a luxury leather goods label merging Emirati craftsmanship with contemporary design

These startups embody the spirit of innovation and contribute to strengthening the UAE’s industrial fabric.

Future Growth and National Impact

Looking ahead, the accelerator will continue to onboard more visionary entrepreneurs. This growth directly supports the objectives of the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology and aligns with the UAE’s ambition to become a global leader in industrial innovation and excellence.

Strengthening Industrial Ecosystems Through Collaboration

The Make it in the Emirates Accelerator is a strategic extension of EDB’s commitment to fostering a robust industrial ecosystem. It complements existing initiatives such as MoIAT’s Make it in the Emirates campaign, EDB’s Manufacturing Accelerator, and the AgriX program. These efforts collectively support supply chain localization, business scalability, and national industrial self-reliance. As the accelerator scales, it will play a vital role in achieving the targets of Operation 300bn, further solidifying the UAE’s standing on the world industrial stage.