Antler Dubai Selects 96 Founders from Over 10,000 Applicants for Elite Residency
Antler's second founder residency program in Dubai has commenced, welcoming 96 founders selected from a highly competitive pool of over 10,000 global applicants.
Massive Pool, Elite Selection
The second iteration of Antler's Dubai residency has underscored the city's growing appeal as a global tech hub. Attracting a staggering over 10,000 applicants from around the world, the program ultimately selected 96 founders to participate. This high selectivity highlights the intense competition and the quality of entrepreneurial talent globally looking towards the MENA region. The chosen cohort represents a diverse mix, spanning 39 nationalities, with 35% of participants being female.
Program Focus and Structure
The 8-week residency is based in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Its core objective is to help these talented individuals find co-founders, validate their business ideas, and build scalable companies. The program is designed to provide a structured environment for team formation and initial business development. Following the residency, a select number of the newly formed teams will receive pre-seed investment of up to $120,000 each, alongside continued support from Antler's global platform.
Why Dubai?
Antler's continued focus on Dubai reflects the city's strategic importance and rapid development as a destination for innovation and startups in the MENA region. The ability to attract over 10,000 applications from around the globe for a Dubai-based program signals strong international interest in establishing ventures within the emirate. Dubai's ecosystem, supported by initiatives like those within DIFC, provides a conducive environment for early-stage companies seeking to scale regionally and internationally.
About Antler
Antler is a global early-stage venture capital firm. Distinct from traditional accelerators, Antler's model focuses on investing in individuals before a team or even a concrete idea is fully formed. It provides a platform, network, and initial capital to help founders build strong co-founding teams, develop and validate business models, and secure funding for growth. Antler operates residencies and funds globally, with a significant and growing presence in the MENA region, identifying and backing founders with potential to build impactful companies.
Looking Ahead
The 96 founders will now spend the next eight weeks collaborating, ideating, and forming teams. The program culminates in an Investment Committee decision where the most promising ventures will be selected to receive pre-seed capital and enter the next phase of growth within the Antler portfolio. The success of these ventures is expected to further contribute to the vibrancy and growth of the startup ecosystem in Dubai and the wider MENA region.
Source: Zawya