MITdesignX MDXB
ACCELERATOR
Dubai, UAE
Next Cohort: Nov 2024 - Jan 2025
BUILD AND DEPLOY IMPACTFUL VENTURES IN DUBAI WITH MIT DESIGNX
WE SUPPORT EARLY-STAGE STARTUPS
ADDRESSING THE
SUSTAINABILITY
OF
URBAN ENVIRONMENTS
THE PROGRAM
The MITdesignX Dubai (MDXB) accelerator is led by faculty from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, together with local partners Dubai Silicon Oasis (DTEC), Global Growth Hub (GGH), and MISTI - MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives.
MITdesignX is a program for entrepreneurship and innovation in the Morningside Academy for Design at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. For over seven years, they have run a leading accelerator program at MIT, supporting students and faculty as they transform ideas and research into viable businesses and organizations.
In addition, together with global partners, MITdesignX has created a network of accelerator programs in key cities around the world. Each accelerator focuses on an industry, theme or mission pertinent to the location it is in.
MITdesignX GLOBAL IMPACT
MITdesignX has helped launch over 170 new ventures in the fields of construction, water management, energy, housing, mobility, health, education, and design through programs in Venice, Mexico City, Reykjavik, Hong Kong, and Dubai.
We are now looking for 12 startups to enter the second cohort of MDXB, an accelerator program focused on the sustainable growth and maintenance of urban environments.
We accelerate ventures through a robust and proven curriculum delivered by MIT faculty and staff over four 2-day workshops in Fall 2024, and one intensive month in January 2025. Startups at MDXB are mentored by MIT alumni and local industry experts. The program also provides teams with 24/7 workspace in DTEC Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the support of MIT student interns in January 2025, and workshops with industry partners, Henkel and Schneider Electric.
In addition, five teams will be selected to receive free business and office setup at DSO, and over 100,000 AED in prizes will be awarded.
EXCLUSIVE SUPPORT
THE CURRICULUM
FOUR PHASES TO BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR YOUR VENTURE AND A PATH TO SCALABILITY
MITdesignX has developed a robust series of workshops that have been used by startups around the world. Whether you are just emerging from ideation, building your prototypes and MVP, or already at the revenue stage, this curriculum will take you methodically through every important question and decision you need to make as an early-stage venture.
The material is delivered in an interactive workshop setting, and challenges you to test assumptions, speak to customers, back-up decisions with facts and science, and also to use your imagination and experiment with new ideas and scenarios that might lead to better outcomes.
The MITdesignX curriculum will create a sound foundation for your business plan, product design, communication strategy, hiring strategies, marketing campaigns, and fundraising strategies.
THE DETAILS
LOCATION
Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (DTEC) A5
Dubai Digital Park
Dubai, UAE
DATES
2024-2025 dates
Workshop 1: Nov 4-5
Workshop 2: Nov 25-26
Workshop 3: Dec 9-10
Workshop 4: Jan 8-9
Internship period: Jan 6-30
Pitch day: Jan 30
* Teams will work with mentors and corporate partners in between each workshop
** Participating teams will need to attend all workshops and the pitch day in-person in Dubai. At least one member of the team needs to be present during the internship period in January.
*** Exact dates are subject to change.
24 HOUR WORKSPACE
DTEC provides a 24/7 high-tech workspace at Dubai Silicon Oasis.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
All early-stage startups in the MENA region developing ideas and technology related to sustainable growth and development of the human and built environment. This includes startups addressing construction, supply chain logistics, food and water, health, housing, mobility and other elements that require the efficient use of resources and future-resilient design.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED. NEW COHORT ANNOUNCED SOON!
QUESTIONS?
Please contact designx@mit.edu
PROGRAM SPONSOR AND HOST
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ORGANIZERS
