"Cyber ​​security" Celebrates the success of the first batch of the cybersecurity startup accelerator program

ABU DHABI, June 23, 2017 (WAM) – The UAE Government Cybersecurity Council, in cooperation with Amazon Web Services (AWS), CrowdStrike, and e& Group, celebrated the successful completion of the first batch of the AWS/CTIB program to accelerate startups in cybersecurity, during a closing ceremony held at the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel.

The event represented the first in-person meeting bringing together the most prominent business partners supporting the initiative since the program was launched during the GITEX Global exhibition in October 2025.

This government initiative, which extends over several years, forms one of the main pillars of the UAE Cybersecurity Technology Innovation Office (UAE CTIB) and the National Cybersecurity Strategy, as it aims to accelerate the growth of more than 500 startups specializing in cybersecurity.

The program provides selected founders with the opportunity to benefit from global technical expertise, regional capital networks, specialized individual mentorship, and paths to market access, in a way that supports the development of cybersecurity innovations bearing the slogan “Made in the UAE” and keeping pace with the growing global cyber challenges.

The first batch, which extended over a period of six weeks during the period from March 25 to May 4, 2026, attracted a total of 157 applications from more than five countries, while 23 startup companies working in the fields of cloud security, application security, identity and access management, generative artificial intelligence for cybersecurity, and data security were selected.

The program included 23 specialized sessions, with a total of more than 30 training hours, including 15 sessions on business strategies, six in-depth technical sessions, and two main sessions, with the participation of all implementing partners.

More than 25 speakers and mentors, from elite global leaders in the field of cybersecurity, also contributed to enriching the content of the program and the experience of the participating companies.

The program provided qualitative value to the participating startups, by providing access to the e& venture investment system, providing support for listing on the AWS Marketplace platform and co-selling programs, and benefiting from discounts on the CrowdStrike Falcon® Pro platform, in addition to training on investment offers, and providing specialized advice on market entry strategies.

The initiative also reinforced CyberE71’s mission aimed at building the next generation of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence projects, by connecting startups with potential partners, investors, institutional opportunities, and government-supported empowerment platforms.

The closing ceremony witnessed the announcement of the five best winning startups, selected by a higher evaluation committee that includes a number of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) from supporting and partner agencies. The committee evaluated all participating companies through virtual presentation sessions similar to the “Shark Tank” model, according to criteria that included the value provided to customers, competitive excellence, innovation, and growth indicators.

The winning companies will have greater exposure to institutional clients, investors, and government agencies across the region.

The first batch was implemented entirely via virtual means and according to the specified schedule, an achievement that reflects the commitment and professionalism of all participating parties, and confirms the UAE’s position as a flexible, future-oriented global center in the field of innovation.

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, said that the success in completing the first batch of the AWS/CTIB Startup Acceleration Program confirms the validity of the UAE’s vision of building a strong cybersecurity system led by the spirit of innovation, pointing out that these 23 startups represent the next generation of cybersecurity heroes under the slogan “Made in the Emirates,” and their success demonstrates the country’s commitment not only to protecting its digital future, but also to exporting Emirati excellence in cybersecurity to the world.

He expressed his aspiration to receive the upcoming batches, while continuing to work towards achieving the goal of accelerating the growth of more than 500 startup companies in the field of cybersecurity within the National Cybersecurity Strategy.

For his part, Chris Erasmus, General Manager of AWS in the UAE and the rest of the Middle East and North Africa region, said that the results of the first batch exceeded expectations. From 157 applications for participation, 23 distinguished startups were selected that develop solutions in the areas of cloud security, threat detection supported by artificial intelligence, and identity management.

He added that the program proved that the UAE possesses the talent, ambition, and system necessary to become a leading global center for innovation in cybersecurity, stressing AWS’s commitment to providing the cloud infrastructure, technical guidance, and commercial support that startups need to expand globally.

For his part, Daniel Bernard, Chief Business Officer at CrowdStrike, said that innovation in cybersecurity thrives when governments, sector leaders, and founders come together around a common goal, and this first batch shows that the UAE is not just building an ecosystem for startups, but rather establishing a long-term base for cyber resilience and innovation on a large scale.

He added that in collaboration with AWS, the UAE Government Cybersecurity Council, and e&, CrowdStrike is proud to contribute to enabling the next generation of cybersecurity companies to scale at a faster pace, address pressing security challenges, and enhance the visibility of technology that is made in the UAE and protected.

For his part, Abdullah Al-Ahmad, CEO of Government and VIP Relations at e&UAE, said that cyber resilience has today become an essential pillar of national resilience and an engine for growth in digital economies, and the success of the first batch reflects the strength of combining regional infrastructure, a venture investment system, and institutional capabilities, providing the appropriate environment that enables startups in cybersecurity to innovate responsibly, protect intelligently, and expand globally, while consolidating their growth within the trusted digital system. For the UAE.

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