Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development launches "Light manufacturing accelerator" To promote industrial innovation in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, 7 May / WAM / The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the Fund’s strategic partner, launched the “Light Manufacturing Accelerator”, during the activities of the fifth session of the “Make in the Emirates 2026” exhibition, hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, ADNOC Group, and Al Emad Holding Company, and organized by the ADNEC Group.

The program is a pioneering initiative that extends for 12 weeks, aiming to transform promising prototypes into emerging, small and medium projects in the light industry sector that are fully commercializable, by removing the challenges associated with commercializing intellectual property, obtaining the necessary certificates and accreditations, and accessing markets, in addition to enabling operational production and readiness for expansion at the regional and global levels.

The launch of the accelerator comes after the completion of the first phase, the “recruitment phase,” and in light of the positive results it achieved, as it witnessed the participation of 203 applicants who were selected after a careful process from among 254 applications from various parts of the innovation and industry system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. They participated in the “Industrial Innovators Camp,” which lasted for two weeks as the first phase of the accelerator’s journey. Certificates of completion of the first phase were handed over to the participants during the “Make in the UAE 2026” activities.

Emirati entrepreneurs contributed to 140 projects out of the total applications submitted, which reflects the program’s focus on empowering national talent and promoting Emirati entrepreneurship in the industrial sector.

Among the camp participants, the best 20 projects led by Emirati cadres were selected to move to the main stage of the accelerator and benefit from integrated technical, commercial and organizational support, which contributes to their readiness for manufacturing and production.

His Excellency Eng. Osama Amir Fadl, Assistant Undersecretary for the Industrial Accelerators Sector at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, confirmed that the launch of the program comes as an extension of the partnership launched by the Ministry with the Khalifa Fund last year, which focused on accelerating the transformation of industrial innovation into scalable production projects. Today we are witnessing the honoring of participants, which reflects the impact the accelerator has achieved in empowering entrepreneurs, linking innovation to manufacturing and actual market demand, and promoting the integration of companies into national value chains, in support of the objectives of the National Strategy for Advanced Industry and Technology.

He added: The launch of the “Light Manufacturing Accelerator” represents a practical step within the Ministry’s efforts to transform industrial innovation into scalable production capabilities, by linking prototypes to actual manufacturing and market demand. We are working in partnership with the Khalifa Fund to enable entrepreneurs to accelerate the transition of projects from the development stage to commercial production, in a way that supports building a flexible and sustainable industrial base. This initiative reflects the approach led by the Ministry through the “Make in the Emirates” platform, which is based on transforming programs into tangible results.

His Excellency Moza Obaid Al Nasiri, CEO of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said: The Khalifa Fund’s Light Manufacturing Accelerator is a direct investment in Abu Dhabi’s industrial future. By combining strategic partnerships in the industrial, academic and economic sectors, we provide Emirati entrepreneurs with the resources and support to transform their innovative ideas into certified products ready for export. This initiative reflects the pivotal role of the Khalifa Fund in strengthening the Falcon economy in Abu Dhabi, by empowering Emirati entrepreneurs and accelerating the transition from the research and innovation stage to the commercial production stage, by supporting local manufacturing capabilities, and increasing the contribution of national projects to production, export and sustainable economic diversification.

The accelerator targets scalable industrial intellectual property and prototypes within priority sectors, such as: metals, energy, petrochemicals, robotics, and electronics, while ensuring full compatibility with the country and the emirate’s broader strategy aimed at diversifying industries and strengthening the economy based on innovation and advanced technologies, as these sectors are essential pillars within the Falcon economy system. Participants benefit from a practical training program that gives them access to advanced laboratories, capabilities and resources. It combines field training with the possibility of using a number of industrial laboratories at participating universities. It also helps these entities develop specialized skills in the fields of engineering, prototyping, product development, and manufacturing.

The accelerator was designed to support industrial innovation and transform promising ideas and technologies into industrial products with an economic impact, by embracing and empowering emerging, small and medium-sized companies and supporting their transition from the development stages to manufacturing and commercial production.

It is expected, in this cycle of the accelerator, to enable at least 15 companies to reach the full production stage, and to support the registration of 20 industrial intellectual properties, including the marketing of 5 intellectual properties developed in universities, thus contributing to the localization of knowledge and enhancing integration between scientific research and the industrial sector.

The accelerator also provides an integrated support system that includes building partnerships with buyers and suppliers, providing technical and organizational guidance, and enabling projects to obtain the necessary certificates and accreditations, ensuring their readiness for export and access to markets. The highest-performing companies will be able to benefit from the advanced financing and support paths available within the Khalifa Fund and Muzn Business Accelerators, ensuring the sustainability of their growth and enhancing the competitiveness of local industrial products in local and international markets.

The Khalifa Fund’s “Light Manufacturing Accelerator” not only enables entrepreneurs to manufacture and market their intellectual properties locally, but also contributes to consolidating Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional center for innovation in the field of light industries.

This initiative embodies Khalifa Fund’s commitment to supporting the “falcon economy.” The strategic vision based on sustainable knowledge growth, which starts from national development to industrial competitiveness at the global level.

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