Money that does not cost you equity.
Government grants, innovation funds and competitions across the UAE and wider GCC. This is an editorial directory: Startup Roof is not affiliated with these programs, deadlines and criteria change, and every entry links to the official source.
How to use this: pick your country, open the official page, and confirm the current cycle before planning around any amount. Application windows for most programs open periodically rather than year-round.
MBRIF
Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund: membership benefits, innovation guarantees and support schemes for UAE-based innovators.
mbrif.ae → UAE · DubaiDubai SME
Dubai government support for entrepreneurs: incubation, development programs and licensing support for nationals and residents.
dubaisme.ae → UAE · Abu DhabiHub71 incentive programs
Cohort-based packages for accepted startups, including in-kind and cash incentives. Competitive cohorts, applications open periodically.
hub71.com → UAE · Abu DhabiKhalifa Fund
Abu Dhabi enterprise development agency offering financing and support programs for Emirati entrepreneurs and SMEs.
khalifafund.gov.ae → KSA · NationalMonsha'at
Saudi SME authority: support programs, incubators and growth financing schemes for Saudi-registered businesses.
monshaat.gov.sa → KSA · TechnologyNTDP
Saudi National Technology Development Program: grants and support for technology startups and developers.
ntdp.gov.sa → Qatar · NationalQDB
Qatar Development Bank: funding programs, guarantees and incubation for Qatari entrepreneurs and SMEs.
qdb.qa → Kuwait · PrivateNBK Fund
Private-sector fund supporting Kuwaiti entrepreneurs with financing and development programs.
nbkfund.com → Bahrain · NationalBDB
Bahrain Development Bank: financing and support programs for Bahraini entrepreneurs and SMEs.
bdb.bh → Oman · NationalRiyada (SMEA)
Oman Authority for SME Development: programs, financing and support for Omani enterprises.
riyada.om →No listings for this country yet.
Pair grants with your runway.
Grant timelines rarely match your burn exactly - model the gap before you count on the money.