BUILD AND DEPLOY IMPACTFUL VENTURES IN DUBAI WITH MITdesignX

WE SEEK EARLY-STAGE STARTUPS ADDRESSING CHALLENGES THAT FACE
THE SUSTAINABLE GROWTH OF
URBAN ENVIRONMENTS

THE PROGRAM​
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OCTOBER 16, 2023 - JANUARY 31, 2024
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The MITdesignX Dubai (MDXB) accelerator begins October 2023. The program is led by faculty from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, together with local partners Dubai Silicon Oasis (DTEC), Global Growth Hub (GGH), and MISTI - MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives.
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MITdesignX is a program for entrepreneurship and innovation in the Morningside Academy for Design at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. For over seven years, they have run a leading accelerator program at MIT, supporting students and faculty as they transform ideas and research into viable businesses and organizations.
In addition, together with global partners, MITdesignX has created a network of accelerator programs in key cities around the world. Each accelerator focuses on an industry, theme or mission pertinent to the location it is in.
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MITdesignX GLOBAL IMPACT
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MITdesignX has helped launch over 150 new ventures in the fields of construction, water management, energy, housing, mobility, health, education, and design through programs in Venice, Mexico City, Reykjavik, Hong Kong, and now ... Dubai!
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Ten startups will be selected to join MDXB, an accelerator program focused on the sustainable growth of urban environments.
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Selected teams will build their ventures through a robust and proven curriculum delivered by MIT faculty and staff over four 2-day workshops in Fall 2023, and one intensive month in January. In addition, startups at MDXB will be mentored by MIT alumni and local industry experts. The program will also provide teams with 24/7 workspace in DTEC Dubai Silicon Oasis from October to February, the support of MIT student interns in the month of January, and access to local industry partners
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EXCLUSIVE SUPPORT
THE CURRICULUM
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FOUR PHASES TO BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR YOUR VENTURE AND A PATH TO SCALABILITY
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MITdesignX has developed a robust series of workshops that have been used by startups around the world. Whether you are just emerging from ideation, building your prototypes and MVP, or already at the revenue stage, this curriculum will take you methodically through every important question and decision you need to make as an early-stage venture.
The material is delivered in an interactive workshop setting, and challenges you to test assumptions, speak to customers, back-up decisions with facts and science, and also to use your imagination and experiment with new ideas and scenarios that might lead to better outcomes.
The MITdesignX curriculum will create a sound foundation for your business plan, product design, communication strategy, hiring strategies, marketing campaigns, and fundraising strategies.
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THE DETAILS​
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LOCATION
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Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (DTEC) A5
Dubai Digital Park
Dubai, UAE
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DATES​
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Workshop 1: OCT 16-17, 2023
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Workshop 2: NOV 15-16, 2023
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Workshop 3: DEC 12-13, 2023
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Workshop 4: JAN 9-10, 2024
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Internship Period: JAN 8-31, 2024
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Pitch Day: Jan 31, 2024
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* Teams will work with mentors and corporate partners in between each workshop
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** Participating teams will need to attend all workshops, the internship period and pitch day in-person in Dubai.
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​24 HOUR WORKSPACE
DTEC will provide a 24/7 high-tech workspace at Dubai Silicon Oasis.
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PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY​
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All early-stage startups in the MENA region developing ideas and technology related to sustainable growth and development of the human and built environment. This includes startups addressing construction, supply chain logistics, food and water, health, housing, mobility and other elements that require the efficient use of resources and future-resilient design.
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QUESTIONS?
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Please contact designx@mit.edu