EDB Marks Graduation of UAE Industrial Startups from MIITE Accelerator Program at Make it in the Emirates 2026

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 18 May 2026: Emirates Development Bank (EDB), the UAE’s key financial engine for economic diversification and industrial transformation, hosted the graduation ceremony of the MIITE Accelerator Program during Make it in the Emirates (MIITE) 2026, the UAE’s flagship platform for industrial development and innovation. The program was delivered in partnership with Brinc Project Management Services LLC.

The ceremony marked a key milestone for 11 UAE industrial startups representing a wide range of sectors, from food security to advanced manufacturing, recognising the completion of the initial phase of a six-month accelerator journey designed to strengthen manufacturing readiness, scale production capabilities, and enhance export potential.

H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, Chief Executive Officer of EDB, presented certificates to the graduating startups, marking their progression to the next stage of growth. Senior representatives from EDB and Brinc, alongside investors, industry stakeholders, and ecosystem partners attending MIITE 2026, witnessed the ceremony.

H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi said: “The graduation of these startups at Make it in the Emirates reflects EDB’s commitment to enabling early-stage industrial players to move from potential to performance. Today, we are proud to host them at the EDB stand, but our vision extends far beyond this milestone. Through the MIITE Accelerator Program, we are equipping founders with the tools, expertise, and networks needed to build competitive, investment-ready businesses, with the ultimate goal of seeing them return to this event in the future with their own independent pavilions as established companies contributing to the UAE’s industrial growth and economic diversification.”

The MIITE Accelerator Program supported early-stage industrial companies through a structured pathway including capability assessments, gap analysis, and tailored growth roadmaps covering strategy, operations, supply chain, regulatory compliance, finance, and innovation. Participants also benefited from masterclasses, bi-weekly mentorship, and investor engagement support, strengthening their commercial readiness and scalability.  Manufacturing startups interested in joining the program can register their interest and learn more at the official Make it in the Emirates Accelerator page: edb.gov.ae/landing/manufacturing-accelerator.

Yasin Aboudaoud, Chief Commercial Officer & MD of MENA for Brinc, said: “Our partnership with Emirates Development Bank reflects a shared commitment to empowering the next generation of UAE-based manufacturing startups. Through this program, we are directly contributing to the advancement of the UAE’s industrial capabilities and long-term economic resilience.”

As part of Make it in the Emirates 2026, the startups are showcasing their products and solutions at the EDB pavilion, gaining direct exposure to corporates, investors, and potential partners, and translating program outcomes into market opportunities.

The graduation represents a in the six-month program, highlighting tangible outcomes from EDB’s approach to developing a pipeline of industrial innovators capable of scaling locally and expanding globally.

Through initiatives such as the MIITE Accelerator Program, EDB continues to strengthen the UAE’s industrial ecosystem by enabling early-stage companies to scale, compete, and contribute to the nation’s ambition of becoming a global hub for advanced manufacturing.