Dubai Holding, a diversified global investment company with investments in more than 30 countries, has announced the selection of 15 fast-growing companies to participate in the second edition of its global Innovate for Tomorrow programme, which aims to strengthen the impact of innovative companies and support solutions linked to sustainability and the circular economy.

In its latest edition, the programme focuses on circular economy innovation across Dubai Holding’s key business sectors, through three main areas: reducing food loss and waste, recycling and regenerating resources, and using digital innovation to support sustainability.

The Innovate for Tomorrow programme is being held in partnership with in5, the start-up and entrepreneurship incubator of TECOM Group. The programme invited innovators and entrepreneurs from around the world to submit solutions capable of creating a tangible impact on how resources are produced, consumed, and reused, supporting the move towards a more sustainable future.

The applying companies went through a careful evaluation process conducted by Dubai Holding in collaboration with a group of industry experts, after receiving more than 1,400 applications from 93 countries. The selected companies will compete for total prizes worth AED 850,000, while the winning company will receive funding to implement a pilot project within Dubai Holding’s diverse portfolio.

This opportunity gives the winning company a practical platform to test its solution in a real business environment and prove its value across different sectors, helping it move from the idea or early-growth stage towards broader market application.

The 15 selected companies took part in an intensive 12-week programme from January to April 2026. The programme included mentoring and guidance sessions with industry leaders and experts, including representatives from Dubai Holding. It also featured specialised workshops and working sessions focused on improving business models, accelerating market access, and strengthening connections with investors.

The selection process was based on clear criteria, including how closely the proposed solution aligned with the programme’s key focus areas, its expected impact, level of innovation and differentiation, as well as its ability to be implemented and scaled, its suitability for the UAE market, and its acceptance by customers and markets.

This approach helps identify companies with strong growth potential and promising opportunities to enter markets, particularly those offering practical solutions that can support sustainability and circular economy goals.

The Innovate for Tomorrow programme is organised in partnership with in5 and in collaboration with Bolt as the implementation partner. The programme reflects Dubai Holding’s commitment to supporting communities and companies that can drive sustainable development, while also contributing to the UAE’s wider goals, including the Circular Economy Policy 2031, the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy, and the UAE Centennial 2071 vision.

The programme is scheduled to conclude in June 2026 with a dedicated final pitch day, where the top five companies will have the opportunity to present their solutions to a group of investors, partners, and industry leaders.