UAE Cybersecurity Accelerator Launches First Cohort of 23 Startups
The UAE Cybersecurity Council and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have completed the first cohort of their cybersecurity startup accelerator, marking an early step in a broader effort to scale more than 500 startups through the programme. The initiative is designed to support the development of locally built cybersecurity solutions in the UAE.
The six-week accelerator was delivered in partnership with CrowdStrike and e&, and drew 157 applications from startups across five countries. From this pool, 23 founders were selected to join the inaugural cohort and received go-to-market support, technical mentorship, and cloud infrastructure support.
According to the programme, participating startups are working on solutions across cloud security, identity management, and artificial intelligence for threat detection. The accelerator also gave founders access to venture investment networks, with e& offering opportunities for potential investment consideration.
Five Startups Named Winners at Abu Dhabi Closing Event
The programme concluded with a closing ceremony in Abu Dhabi, where a senior evaluation panel selected five winning startups after a virtual pitch session. Judges assessed the companies based on customer value, competitive differentiation, innovation, and growth traction.
The winning startups are expected to gain additional visibility among enterprise customers, investors, and government stakeholders across the region. The accelerator forms part of a multi-year government-backed effort to build “Made in UAE” cybersecurity innovations aimed at addressing rising global cyber risks.
Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, said the 23 startups represent the next generation of “Made in UAE” cybersecurity champions. Chris Erasmus, General Manager at AWS, said the programme demonstrates that the UAE has the talent, ambition, and ecosystem to become a leading cybersecurity innovation hub.
Government and Private Sector Collaboration Drives Cybersecurity Growth
The accelerator reflects a collaboration between public authorities and major technology companies to strengthen the UAE’s cybersecurity startup landscape. Alongside AWS, CrowdStrike, and e&, the initiative positions the country to support early-stage founders with the tools and networks needed to advance from concept to market-ready solutions.
By combining technical support, cloud access, and investor exposure, the programme aims to create a pipeline of local startups capable of contributing to the UAE’s digital resilience and broader innovation agenda.
Industry Analysis
The launch of the first cohort signals continued momentum in the UAE’s efforts to develop a competitive cybersecurity ecosystem. For startups, the accelerator offers an important platform to validate products, connect with enterprise buyers, and attract capital. For the wider market, the initiative highlights a growing emphasis on homegrown cybersecurity capabilities as digital threats become more sophisticated. If the programme reaches its target of scaling more than 500 startups, it could help position the UAE as a regional base for cybersecurity innovation and commercialization.
