Author: Sarthak Ahuja Executive Top Voice
Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casarthakahuja/
The UAE Govt is funding Indian startups with up to AED 500,000 as per a new application that has gone live just yesterday...
So, India and the UAE have a trade agreement called the CEPA...
Under which, the UAE organises a program called the Startup Series, and this is the second season the applications for which are free and went live yesterday on the 15th of July 2026...
To apply, you go to apply <dot> startupseries <dot> ae, and fill out a form about the business you're building and the problem you're solving… it's completely free, and applications are open till 31st August...
After that, they shortlist the strongest startups and invite them to a live pitch event in Bengaluru…
From those, up to 10 will get selected into Hub71's Access and Immersion programmes in Abu Dhabi...
The support comes in two tracks...
A few of the winners get onboarded with up to AED 500,000... half in cash and half in-kind, plus mentorship, investor introductions, and regulatory support.
The rest have the chance to join the Immersion Programme: a week of prep on the UAE market, then a week of sessions at Hub71 in Abu Dhabi, meeting investors, partners, and potential clients...
Last season, I was fortunate to witness the 5 startups that were selected in the end, and are now already part of this...
One tip on being selected...
To improve your odds, build in the priority sectors defined by the UAE govt...
FinTech, Advanced Manufacturing, Mobility & Logistics, AgriTech & Food Security, Space & Aerospace, HealthTech & MedTech, CleanTech & Sustainability, AI & DeepTech, and anything adjacent.
All the best.
#casarthakahuja UAE-India CEPA Council
So, India and the UAE have a trade agreement called the CEPA...
Under which, the UAE organises a program called the Startup Series, and this is the second season the applications for which are free and went live yesterday on the 15th of July 2026...
To apply, you go to apply <dot> startupseries <dot> ae, and fill out a form about the business you're building and the problem you're solving… it's completely free, and applications are open till 31st August...
After that, they shortlist the strongest startups and invite them to a live pitch event in Bengaluru…
From those, up to 10 will get selected into Hub71's Access and Immersion programmes in Abu Dhabi...
The support comes in two tracks...
A few of the winners get onboarded with up to AED 500,000... half in cash and half in-kind, plus mentorship, investor introductions, and regulatory support.
The rest have the chance to join the Immersion Programme: a week of prep on the UAE market, then a week of sessions at Hub71 in Abu Dhabi, meeting investors, partners, and potential clients...
Last season, I was fortunate to witness the 5 startups that were selected in the end, and are now already part of this...
One tip on being selected...
To improve your odds, build in the priority sectors defined by the UAE govt...
FinTech, Advanced Manufacturing, Mobility & Logistics, AgriTech & Food Security, Space & Aerospace, HealthTech & MedTech, CleanTech & Sustainability, AI & DeepTech, and anything adjacent.
All the best.
#casarthakahuja UAE-India CEPA Council
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