C3 - Companies Creating Change
C3 - Companies Creating Change is a Dubai-based, B Corp-certified impact accelerator that designs and runs startup programs for corporates and governments, connecting 2,500+ impact-driven startups with investors and experts across MENA.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersDubai, United Arab Emirates
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What C3 - Companies Creating Change does
C3 - Companies Creating Change is a Dubai-headquartered, B Corp-certified impact innovation platform founded in 2012 and operated through C3 Programs and Services FZ LLC in Dubai Internet City. The company connects startups, corporates, governments, investors, and experts through structured accelerator programs, customized corporate initiatives, and Demo Day events across the Middle East and Africa. Its core offering is program design and delivery: own-branded C3 Impact Accelerators (including C3 Net Zero Catalyst and C3 Climate Accelerator) and co-branded programs run with corporate partners such as HSBC, Standard Chartered, Emirates Global Aluminium, DMCC, Google for Startups, Accenture, ENGIE, MultiChoice, Merck, and Enersol. Programs follow a standardized 4-to-6 month structure combining workshops, expert mentorship, board-meeting simulations, strategic advisory, and investor pitch days, with select cohorts receiving equity-free seed capital (e.g., $150,000 for the Standard Chartered Women in Tech UAE Accelerator).
The underlying technology is a curated network platform rather than a software product: 2,500+ startups, 7,000+ experts, and 1,000+ investors in 26 countries, augmented by content channels (insights, reports, monthly newsletter) and event-driven engagement. C3's commercial model is professional services: enterprise program fees governed by multi-year term sheet agreements with corporate partners, plus one-to-one expert support services under separate terms and conditions. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and revenue is not reported. The company operates as part of the Global Ventures platform, an emerging-markets venture capital firm whose Senior Partner (and C3 founder) Medea Nocentini bridges accelerator deal flow with downstream investment capacity. Alumni collectively have raised over $540 million, with 94% of accelerated startups still operational, and C3 itself reports a partner NPS of 100.
C3 - Companies Creating Change firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- C3 - Companies Creating Change
- Legal name
- C3 Programs and Services FZ LLC
- Website
- https://wegrowwithc3.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- C3 - Companies Creating Change is a Dubai-based, B Corp-certified impact accelerator that designs and runs startup programs for corporates and governments, connecting 2,500+ impact-driven startups with investors and experts across MENA.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
C3 - Companies Creating Change industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Accelerator Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures) (FSANAHAC), Change Management & Transformation Consulting (BPAHAGAC)
Keywords
Where C3 - Companies Creating Change is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dubai
- HQ country
- United Arab Emirates
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
C3 - Companies Creating Change business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Accelerator Program Services: C3 provides curated learning journeys and accelerator programs for impact-driven startups. Services include one-to-one expert support, workshops, mentorship, and advisory services. Programs are designed for enterprise participants and corporate partners seeking to support startup ecosystems.
- Corporate Partnership Programs: C3 designs and delivers customized programs for corporate innovation and sustainability objectives, including customized programs, innovation initiatives, corporate challenges, and ecosystem/hub development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Enterprise Program Term Sheet - For participating in C3's programmes |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
C3 - Companies Creating Change product offering
Product offeringCore offering
C3 - Companies Creating Change operates a B Corp-certified impact innovation platform that runs accelerator programs pairing impact-driven startups with major corporate partners such as HSBC, Standard Chartered, and EGA in the MENA region. The company designs cohorts, mentorship, and corporate-startup matchmaking engagements, often equity-free for participating startups.
Product overview
C3 - Companies Creating Change operates as a B Corp-certified impact innovation platform that connects startups, corporates, governments, investors, and experts through dynamic collaborations, tailored programs, and high-impact initiatives. The platform consists of C3's own Impact Accelerators (including C3 Net Zero Catalyst and C3 Climate Accelerator) complemented by numerous partner programs run in collaboration with leading organizations such as HSBC, Standard Chartered, Emirates Global Aluminium, Merck, Accenture, MultiChoice, and DMCC. Programs offer startups access to expert mentorship, workshops, funding opportunities (including equity-free seed capital), investor connections, and Demo Day showcases. The company also provides One-to-One Expert Support connecting startups with its network of 7,000+ experts, plus Insights/Publications covering impact investing and sustainability topics. Over 14 years, C3 has supported 2,500+ startups across 26 countries through 26+ programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Impact Accelerator Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- 94% of accelerated startups remain operational
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use C3 - Companies Creating Change
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
C3 - Companies Creating Change technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
C3 - Companies Creating Change partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Standard CharteredcorePartnership for Women in Tech UAE Accelerator, providing $150,000 equity-free funding to female founders. 12 female founders participate in 4-month intensive program culminating in Demo Day. 100% of participants reported strengthened competencies.
- Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA)coreLaunched EGA Ramp-Up program in 2023 to drive economic growth and job creation by equipping early-stage founders. Program features 6-month training, in-person bootcamp, and investor pitch day at EGA headquarters. 40 startups accelerated with ~4 million beneficiaries and ~1,000 jobs created.
- DMCCcorePartnership to launch DMCC Sustainability Hub leveraging 24,000+ member businesses to advance ESG practices. Includes DMCC Impact Scale-Up Programme powered by C3, welcoming 15 impact-focused companies to Dubai.
- AccenturecoreLaunched C3 I.D.E.A. Accelerator (Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, Accessibility) welcoming 10 startups from across MENA. Partnership focuses on supporting startups addressing diversity and inclusion challenges.
- HSBCcoreFlagship partnership including the C3 Net Zero Catalyst program focused on climate tech, and the earlier Impact Accelerator Program (2018) which supported 145 startups. HSBC provides funding and strategic direction for sustainability-focused accelerator programs. The partnership has expanded into 2024 with climate innovation initiatives.
- Google for StartupscorePartnership supporting startup programs with AI as a pivotal focus. Programs include support for women founders in tech and various innovation initiatives. AI plays transformative role across industries in program delivery.
- ENGIEcorePartnership exploring climate action and sustainability initiatives including 'Women fighting climate change' at Expo 2020. Joint initiatives in sustainability skills and nature-based solutions.
- MultiChoicecoreMultiChoice Africa Accelerator powered by C3, a docu-series following finalist startups. Partnership supports African startups with pitch day in Dubai at Museum of the Future. MultiChoice backed Wetility startup raising $48 million.
- EnersolcorePartnership for Energy Challenge showcasing energy-focused startups. Enersol Energy Challenge Showcase Event and related programs supporting sustainability and energy innovation.
- Expo City DubaiminorHost venue partner for C3 events and programs. Supports innovation and sustainability initiatives in Dubai.
- Dubai Chamber of CommerceminorPartner supporting business groups and entrepreneurial ecosystem development in Dubai.
- QSTP (Qatar Science & Technology Park)minorPartner for innovation and technology initiatives in Qatar.
- Merck Innovation HubcoreI-nnovate program engaging UAE universities and startups in health innovation. 4 students and 4 startups selected for 5-week intensive program developing solutions for key health challenges.
- Global VenturescoreC3 is part of the Global Ventures platform, an international venture capital firm investing in founders and ideas scaling across emerging markets. Deep integration strengthens alignment and provides pathway for startup investment.
- Emirates Nature-WWFminorNature-based solutions projects partner with HSBC, supporting environmental conservation and sustainability initiatives.
- ICBA (International Center for Biosaline Agriculture)minorNature-based solutions projects partner with HSBC, supporting agricultural innovation in saline environments.
Scale indicators25 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
C3 - Companies Creating Change competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Flat6Labs: MENA-focused early-stage seed investor and accelerator operating across North Africa and the GCC. Closest regional peer to C3 in geography and stage, with similar startup programs but a stronger equity-investment orientation.
- Endeavor: Global high-impact entrepreneurship support organization with strong MENA operations and corporate partnerships. Comparable in supporting growth-stage entrepreneurs, with deeper mentorship networks and similar B Corp-aligned mission.
- MassChallenge: Global impact-focused accelerator running programs across multiple regions with corporate partnerships. Most directly comparable to C3 in mission, structure, and corporate-partner-driven GTM, with a larger global footprint but weaker MENA presence.
- Startupbootcamp: Global accelerator network running industry-specific programs in partnership with corporates. Comparable in accelerator-plus-corporate model, with broader geographic coverage and vertical-specific cohorts similar to C3's Net Zero and IDEA programs.
- Techstars: Global accelerator network offering mentorship-driven, time-boxed programs with corporate partners. Comparable in program structure and corporate partnership model, but operates at significantly larger scale and broader industry focus than C3's impact lens.
- Brinc: Global accelerator with strong climate-tech and emerging-markets programs, including MENA activity. Comparable in sustainability focus and corporate-sponsored cohort model; similar reliance on partner-funded program delivery.
- Impact Hub: Global network of impact-focused incubators, coworking spaces, and accelerator programs. Directly comparable mission and program design, with broader physical-presence footprint than C3's MENA-centric model.
- 500 Global (500 Startups): Emerging-markets-focused venture firm and accelerator with strong MENA presence and accelerator programs. Comparable in targeting early-stage founders in MENA and emerging markets, but with a more investment-led model than C3's program-services approach.
Broad incumbents
- Google for Startups: Corporate accelerator program from Google providing mentorship, equity-free funding, and product credits globally. Already a C3 partner, and a comparable operator in the same accelerator category with significantly larger resources and broader geographic reach.
Others
- DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre): Major Dubai free zone and ecosystem builder running its own innovation and sustainability programs (including the DMCC Sustainability Hub with C3). Comparable in corporate-driven startup ecosystem development, with a much larger scale and infrastructure footprint as an ecosystem partner rather than competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
C3 - Companies Creating Change social profiles
Digital presenceC3 - Companies Creating Change compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
C3 - Companies Creating Change financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
C3 - Companies Creating Change leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
C3 - Companies Creating Change funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
C3 - Companies Creating Change M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about C3 - Companies Creating Change
What does C3 - Companies Creating Change do?
C3 - Companies Creating Change operates a B Corp-certified impact innovation platform that runs accelerator programs pairing impact-driven startups with major corporate partners such as HSBC, Standard Chartered, and EGA in the MENA region. The company designs cohorts, mentorship, and corporate-startup matchmaking engagements, often equity-free for participating startups.
When was C3 - Companies Creating Change founded?
C3 - Companies Creating Change was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is C3 - Companies Creating Change based?
C3 - Companies Creating Change is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East region.
How does C3 - Companies Creating Change make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Accelerator Program Services are the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnership Programs.
Who are C3 - Companies Creating Change's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Flat6Labs, Endeavor, MassChallenge, Startupbootcamp, Techstars, Brinc, Impact Hub and 500 Global (500 Startups). Google for Startups is listed as a broad incumbent. DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is listed as an others.
Does C3 - Companies Creating Change have an API?
No public API is recorded for C3 - Companies Creating Change.
What industry is C3 - Companies Creating Change in?
C3 - Companies Creating Change's product category is Startup Accelerator Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAHAD, Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs, with a secondary code of FSANAHAC, Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures).