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The URB Incubator is a Dubai-based accelerator program dedicated to nurturing early-stage Urban Tech entrepreneurs. Aligned with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, our mission is to foster innovation and drive sustainable urban development.
As part of the national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the URB Incubator is designed to accelerate this initiative by cultivating a bottom-up entrepreneurial spirit in the built environment. We aim to empower a new generation of innovators to become the future leaders of urban tech solutions, shaping a sustainable future for the UAE.
Baharash Bagherian, CEO of URB and the visionary behind several sustainable cities currently under construction, elaborates on the key objectives of the incubator:
“Our aim is to discover, mentor, and invest in the next generation of urban-tech entrepreneurs in the UAE. The incubator will support urban technology companies, build a robust ecosystem, and transform the UAE into a global urban technology hub. We are committed to identifying and scaling the most impactful startups in the UAE that will contribute to achieving the country’s Net Zero targets by 2050.”
Join us at the URB Incubator and be a part of the movement to create sustainable urban solutions for the future. Together, we can shape the cities of tomorrow and achieve a sustainable future for the UAE.
The URB Incubator is open to Green Urban Tech start-ups. Example categories:
– ENERGY
– WATER
– FOOD
– WASTE
– MOBILITY
– BUILDING MATERIALS
– SMART TECH
The URB Incubator offers a comprehensive program that includes:
0% Equity Assurance: Benefit from a supportive financial structure where URB takes 0% equity unless the startup meets agreed-upon goals. All agreements are structured through SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) agreements, ensuring fairness and alignment with startup growth.
Our network connects founders not only to investors but also to top talent and industry experts who can help realize their visions.
The Incubator for Sustainable Cities by URB has achieved international recognition as a leading urban-tech accelerator program, dedicated to improving urban quality of life in the UAE. Our mission is to identify and scale the most impactful startups in the UAE, contributing to the country’s Net Zero targets by 2050. Our objective is to improve urban quality of life in the UAE.
Every startup will benefit from our comprehensive scaling program designed to rapidly increase their valuation. We mentor our startups to achieve a competitive advantage and leadership position. URB provides world-class resources for urban-tech development and leverages a global network of partners to successfully scale startups with proven fundraising success.
We support startups in transitioning urban-tech projects from proof-of-concept to impactful, change-making solutions. Our focus areas include energy, water, food, waste, mobility, building materials, and more. We seek projects that enhance urban life by re-imagining and upgrading our cities through innovative urban-tech.
We are looking for innovative, scalable, and impactful early-stage startups in urban tech to empower the urban tech community in the UAE.
Our incubator emphasizes the people behind the innovations, providing entrepreneurs with more than just financial capital. We offer continuous operational and specialized support throughout a startup’s early-stage lifecycle. Our team of partners consists of international experts with a proven track record in scaling startups to success.
We are seeking urban tech startups and early-stage founders with innovative ideas that have the potential to make a significant impact on urban sustainability. We welcome applications from various stages of development, from ideation to market-ready solutions.
For startups with a proof of concept: Submissions must include evidence of a proof of concept, either through a previous pilot project or an ongoing pilot project. The primary criterion is the project’s impact on shaping the future of cities. The theme is sustainable cities, so urban tech projects should be relevant to this topic.
For early-stage founders without a proof of concept: We welcome applications from early-stage founders who have not yet created a proof of concept but need assistance to develop their ideas. Submissions should include a detailed description of the innovative idea, its potential impact on sustainable urban development, and the founder’s vision for how the project can be developed and scaled.
For market-ready startups: We are looking for startups that have developed their product or service and are ready to enter the market. Submissions should include detailed information about the product, market analysis, and strategies for market entry and growth.
For startups needing scaling: We encourage applications from startups that have successfully launched their product or service and are looking to scale. Submissions should include evidence of market traction, customer validation, and a clear plan for scaling operations and expanding market reach.
We are excited to support both established startups and visionary founders in their journey to create impactful urban tech solutions.
Stage 1: Apply online here. (online application available soon)
Stage 2: Shortlisted candidates are invited to pitch and undergo further interviews
Stage 3: Equity and KPI agreement
Stage 4: Finalists are invited to join the cohort
Stage 5: Incubation period (3-4 months)
Stage 6: Post-program support (Continuous)
A startup is hard, and everyone recognizes that it is never an easy journey to step into a startup, and the URB incubator is an opportunity be part of a platform to realize access to other opportunities.
Robin Harris, CEO, HILO EV | 2023 Winner
The URB incubator can make you visible! So be brave and focus on your mission and I would like to ask everyone to apply and together we can change the world.
Alex Mubert , Founder, Delivered | 2023 Runner up
The incubator is a great opportunity for us and I would like to thank URB for nominating our company.
Sławomir J. Chodor, Co-Founder, VERNE | 2023 Honorable mention
We are delighted to partner with URB in our shared vision of enabling cities that are smart, sustainable, and responsive to citizen needs. Anthill supports bold entrepreneurs in the urban technology space who have scaled immensely; in the past year Anthill has supported our urban tech portfolio to raise combined $14M in early stage funding, expand to two new geographies each, on average, and activate marquee clients across business and government. We are certain that our partnership with the URB incubator will result in further opportunities for path-breaking, global urban technologies to scale in India.
Partner at Anthill Capital Ventures
The incubator program at URB is perfect for us and we are really glad that we are the winners of this first cycle, and I think it will be a great opportunity to showcase our technology at a larger scale in collaboration with URB.
Dr. Saeed Al Khazraji, MANHAT | 2022 Winner
The breadth of the submissions which tried to address some of the most critical challenges that our cities are facing, made it very thrilling to judge and to narrow down a shortlist. Beyond environmental challenges, it was encouraging to see that submissions tried to address social challenges to create more inclusive communities. The submissions clearly highlighted the wide range of opportunities & challenges that urban planners, architects and designers need to think about for creating more liveable and resilient cities. As such, the incubator for sustainable cities is an important initiative to foster and promote sustainability within the built environment.
Senior Manager, Terra Pavilion at Expo City
I would like to recommend everybody to apply. We are very excited for what is going to come to us in the future, and I believe together and only together we can create sustainable cities, towns, neighbourhoods, streets & the whole world. JUST APPLY.
Urbanitarian | 2022 Runner up
The URB Incubator is a leading urban-tech accelerator program focused on identifying and scaling impactful startups that improve urban quality of life. The program supports startups in areas such as energy, water, food, waste, mobility, building materials, and more, aiming to contribute to sustainable urban development.
The URB Incubator supports startups developing innovative urban technologies that address key sustainability challenges. By fostering solutions in energy, water, food, waste, mobility, and more, the incubator aims to enhance urban living and help achieve the UAE’s Net Zero targets by 2050.
The URB Incubator is open to innovative, scalable, and impactful early-stage startups in urban tech. We are looking for entrepreneurs and teams dedicated to improving urban quality of life through technology and innovation.
The incubator supports projects in various domains, including energy, water, food, waste, mobility, building materials, and other urban technologies that contribute to sustainable urban development and enhance the quality of urban life.
Participants receive comprehensive support, including mentorship from seasoned experts, assistance with licensing and intellectual property registration, access to office space, networking opportunities, customized training programs, and promotion through URB’s marketing channels.
Participants are paired with experienced mentors who provide guidance tailored to the specific needs of each startup. Mentorship covers various aspects such as technology development, business strategy, marketing, and sustainability practices.
Yes, participants have numerous opportunities to connect with potential investors, industry leaders, and corporate partners through organized events, demo days, and networking sessions.
The incubator helps startups secure seed funding and subsequent investment rounds. Participants benefit from potential initial investments from the incubator fund and are connected with a network of investors.
The application process involves several stages:
The application deadline is mentioned on the incubator page on our website. Please refer to the incubator page for the most up-to-date information on deadlines.
Applications are evaluated based on the project’s proof of concept, potential impact on urban sustainability, scalability, innovation, and the team’s ability to execute the project.
Yes, individuals or teams from any geographic location can apply, provided they can commit to being available in Dubai for the duration of the incubation period.
The primary focus is on sustainable cities and urban technology projects that address key urban challenges and improve the quality of urban life.
The incubation period typically lasts for 3-4 months, followed by continuous post-program support.
Participation in the URB Incubator is free for selected startups. We do not charge any fees or take equity unless agreed-upon milestones are met, under SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) agreements. However, startups must cover their own travel, accommodation, and operational costs during the program.
Yes, participants have opportunities to showcase their projects during demo days, pitch events, and other networking sessions organized by the incubator.
Yes, the incubator provides assistance with licensing and intellectual property registration to help protect and commercialize participants’ innovations.
The incubator measures impact based on various criteria, including scalability, innovation, sustainability, and the project’s contribution to improving urban quality of life.