Dubai’s only VC-backed startup investment program, having enrolled 30+ startups from 2,500+ applications.
- The offer:
- $150k per company
- Location:
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Duration:
- 20 weeks
What you need to qualify
- Pre-Seed to Seed stage technology startup
- Built for technology entrepreneurs: the operator describes the programme as designed for ambitious pre-Seed to Seed stage technology entrepreneurs
- A UAE licence is not required before applying; the programme lists the opportunity to avail a business license, if required, among its benefits
- Founders and their team work from SANDBOX coworking space in Dubai during the five months
Eligibility
- Eligible stages
- All stages
- Countries
- Global, subject to the provider’s eligibility and approval
Frequently asked
Shortlisted startups receive $150,000 from Oraseya Capital through a SAFE Note Agreement, made up of $110,000 in cash and a $40,000 programme fee.
No. All startups pitch the SANDBOX Investment Committee at the end of Phase 1 and only those shortlisted are invited into Phase 2 and receive the investment.
Five months: a two month Diagnostics phase followed by a three month Sprints phase, ending with a Demo Day where founders pitch to investors from the region and beyond.
Pre-Seed to Seed stage technology startups. SANDBOX is the startup investment programme of Oraseya Capital and runs in Dubai.
Through the AcceleratorApp portal linked from the programme site. The three stages are the application form, a screening call, then a pitch to the SANDBOX Selection Committee.
Workshops across nine pillars (product development, traction, scaling, financial diagnostics, legal support, commercial viability, investor relations, growth marketing and wellness), one to one mentoring, coworking space for the team, more than $1m of in-kind credits from partners, pitch deck reviews and exposure to VCs and angels across MENA.
The programme site states that applications close September 2026 and that the programme commences in Q3 2026. No exact closing day is published, and the FAQ page also carries a Rolling application label, so confirm the date with programs@oraseyacapital.com before planning around it.
General