Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF)

Name

Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF)

Legal name

Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund

Website

https://mbrif.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Innovation Funding & Startup Acceleration

NAICS

Other Financial Vehicles (525990)

SIC

Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Development Finance & Blended Finance Facilities (BPADAOAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)

Keywords

• Innovation funding
• Startup accelerator
• Loan guarantee scheme
• Non-dilutive financing
• Government innovation fund

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Guarantee Scheme - Government-Backed Loan Guarantee: The MBRIF does not generate revenue through direct fees on its programs (it takes no equity, membership fees, or success fees). The Guarantee Scheme operates by issuing government-backed guarantees to partner banks, which then extend loans to member companies. The revenue model is anchored in facilitating non-dilutive financing for innovators while supporting UAE economic diversification. MBRIF is a non-profit seeking innovation enabler. Emirates Development Bank serves as host and operator of the Guarantee Scheme.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

MBRIF runs two flagship programs for innovative companies: the Guarantee Scheme, which issues government-backed loan guarantees so members can obtain affordable debt finance from partner banks (Emirates Development Bank) without giving up equity, and the Innovation Accelerator, a 9-month non-equity program that delivers world-class coaching, mentorship, expert access, and growth resources to member companies. Both programs target UAE-based and international innovators and prioritize the seven sectors of the UAE National Innovation Strategy (Technology, Education, Water, Transport, Clean Energy, Health, Space).

Product overview

MBRIF is a federal initiative by the UAE Ministry of Finance that operates two distinct programs: the Guarantee Scheme (launched 2016) providing government-backed loan guarantees for innovative companies without taking equity, and the Innovation Accelerator (launched 2018) offering a 9-month non-equity program with coaching, mentorship, and access to a global ecosystem of experts. Both programs focus on the UAE's seven National Innovation Strategy sectors: Technology, Education, Water, Transport, Clean Energy, Health, and Space.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Guarantee Scheme: A financial services program providing innovative companies with access to affordable debt finance through government-backed guarantees without taking equity.
• Innovation Accelerator

Products and services

• Guarantee Scheme Government-backed loan guarantee program that enables innovative UAE-based and international companies to access affordable debt finance from partner banks (via Emirates Development Bank) without diluting equity. Targeted at companies with commercialized products and a clear path to breakeven. Demonstrated guarantee sizes include AED 1.5M (01Gov), AED 2.5M (Avani Eco Middle East), and AED 7.2M (Fragrance Delivery Technologies).
• Innovation Accelerator 9-month non-equity accelerator program providing world-class coaching, mentorship, expert access, and tailored growth resources to innovative companies with working prototypes or innovations ready to scale. Managed by Ernst & Young (EY). Each member is assigned a coach and gains access to a global ecosystem of partners, coaches, and experts. Free to members; no equity, membership fees, or success fees are taken.

Quantifiable outcome

• AED 2.8B+ in funding raised by member companies
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026RAKEZ and MBRIF entered a strategic partnership to strengthen support for innovators, startups, and growth-stage businesses within RAKEZ's ecosystem. The collaboration provides RAKEZ customers with access to financing pathways, structured mentorship, expert advisory services, and connections to a wider network of partners and investors. Both organizations aim to accelerate business growth and contribute to the UAE's long-term economic diversification. The agreement was formalized at Compass Coworking Centre.
• AzurXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 May 2024AzurX is a professional services and investment company in the space and satellite sector in the Middle East. The partnership aims to revitalize innovation in space and strategic technologies, help SMEs and startups accelerate their growth, and enable MBRIF to attract promising space-sector startups globally to join the UAE innovation ecosystem. MBRIF will leverage AzurX's expertise and global network of space companies to strengthen its program and support companies in the space sector.
• Sandooq Al WatancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2024MBRIF joined as a founding member of the UAE National Incubator Network, a transformative initiative by Sandooq Al Watan. The MoU aims to achieve fruitful cooperation in economic and development fields, focusing on enhancing national identity, promoting innovation, and empowering Emiratis in the private sector. Both parties will exchange experiences, share knowledge, and develop frameworks for cooperation in community development and sustainable progress.
• Dubai Future Foundation (DFF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn partnership with DFF, MBRIF supports students in enhancing their innovations through the University Entrepreneurship Program (UEP), which includes providing grants and a specialized accelerator program for winners to expedite the growth of their innovations.
• Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation (MBRCGI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBRCGI and MBRIF collaborate with various government entities on the Pitch@Gov challenge, a competition allowing people in the UAE to pitch their innovation concepts to a panel of judges for an opportunity to win a grant and join the MBRIF Innovation Accelerator program.
• Future100 InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBRIF supports local innovators through partnering with the Future100 initiative by providing the chance for up to 10 startups from the Future100 list to be fast-tracked to the MBRIF Innovation Accelerator Program.
• Emirates Development Bank (EDB)coreOthersEmirates Development Bank was appointed as the host and operator of MBRIF's Guarantee Scheme. EDB evaluates online funding applications, manages client relationships, and handles all administrative operations related to the Guarantee Scheme. MBRIF and EDB share a vision to promote initiatives contributing to UAE's economic development and diversification.
• Ernst & Young (EY)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEY was selected to manage the MBRIF Accelerator program, aligning with their shared commitment to building a more innovative environment in the UAE. EY brings its global network of over 250,000 professionals in more than 150 countries to support MBRIF Accelerator members with knowledge, skills, and access to financing through the fund.
• HopeminorOthersListed as an ecosystem partner on the MBRIF partners page.
• SandooqminorOthersListed as an ecosystem partner on the MBRIF partners page.
• DIFC Innovation HubminorOthersListed as an ecosystem partner on the MBRIF partners page.
• CreativeZoneminorOthersListed as an ecosystem partner on the MBRIF partners page.
• LegalCircleminorOthersListed as an ecosystem partner on the MBRIF partners page.
• EntreMiddleEastminorOthersListed as an ecosystem partner on the MBRIF partners page.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hub71: Abu Dhabi government-backed tech hub and incentive program that supports high-growth UAE and international startups with vouchers, equity support, and ecosystem access. Highly comparable to MBRIF as a sovereign-backed UAE innovation enabler with a startup-support mandate.
• Sheraa: Sharjah-based government-affiliated startup accelerator offering non-dilutive support, mentorship, and ecosystem access to UAE founders. Directly comparable to MBRIF's Accelerator and its sector-aligned approach within a UAE federal/national framework.
• Sanabil Investments: Saudi PIF-owned investment vehicle focused on direct minority investments in private, primarily venture-stage companies globally, with a strong regional mandate. Comparable to MBRIF as a sovereign-backed investor enabling innovator access in the Gulf.
• Wa'ed (Aramco Entrepreneurship): Saudi Aramco's non-profit entrepreneurship arm providing venture debt, mentorship, and accelerator programs to Saudi and regional innovators. Closely comparable to MBRIF as a non-equity, government/sovereign-affiliated enabler providing debt-style support and accelerator services.
• DIFC Innovation Hub: Innovation hub within the Dubai International Financial Centre providing ecosystem access, venture financing pathways, and programs for FinTech and innovation startups. Directly comparable as a UAE-based, Dubai-anchored innovation enabler partner.
• Sandooq Al Watan: UAE national development fund established by Emirati private-sector founders, operating community development and innovation programs including the UAE National Incubator Network. Comparable as a UAE-domestic development fund enabler collaborating closely with MBRIF.
• Dubai Future Foundation: UAE government entity driving forward-looking innovation strategy, operating sector-specific accelerators and ecosystem programs (e.g., AREA 2071). Directly comparable as a UAE government innovation enabler operating cohort-style programs that complement MBRIF.

Broad incumbents

• Invest Abu Dhabi (formerly ADIO): Abu Dhabi's government investment promotion office, operating innovation incentives and sector-specific accelerator-style programs (Innovate Programme) across the emirate. A broader incumbent operating as a complementary UAE federal innovation enabler alongside MBRIF.
• Mubadala Investment Company: UAE sovereign investor with a dedicated ventures platform and innovation mandate, deploying capital across regional and global technology and growth-stage companies. A broader UAE-based sovereign investor with overlapping innovation objectives.

Regional players

• KAUST Innovation & Entrepreneurship: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology's innovation and entrepreneurship arm running accelerators, funding, and venture programs for Saudi and regional deep-tech innovators. Comparable as a Gulf-based innovation enabler focused on priority sectors and venture creation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MbrIfund
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCR5rOrrUdwVREeJBXfu3Llg
• Facebookfacebook.com/MBRIfund
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/19146733/admin
• Instagraminstagram.com/mbrifund

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments49 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF)