Khalifa Fund, UAE Cyber Security Council Introduce Cybersecurity Startup Accelerator

The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) has launched a national program to support and accelerate cybersecurity startups in partnership with the UAE Cyber Security Council.

The announcement was made during an event at MZN Hub Al Ain attended by Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, and Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of KFED.

The program builds on an existing memorandum of understanding between KFED and the UAE Cyber Security Council, which established a framework for collaboration on entrepreneurship, innovation, and cybersecurity. It has been developed in collaboration with CyberE71 to support the growth of cybersecurity-focused startups across the UAE.

The initiative is designed to help attract, develop, and scale cybersecurity startups by providing entrepreneurs with an acceleration program focused on building innovative and scalable solutions while strengthening their ability to participate in the UAE’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

Participants will receive access to mentorship, partnership opportunities, and a network of industry experts, investors, and other stakeholders. The program aims to help startups expand their operations and compete within the cybersecurity sector.

According to the organizers, the initiative reflects continued collaboration between the UAE Cyber Security Council, Khalifa Fund, and CyberE71 to provide startups with specialized expertise, strategic partnerships, and growth opportunities while strengthening their competitiveness in local and international markets.

Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti said: “Cybersecurity is no longer merely a technical sector; it has become a strategic driver of the digital economy and one of the fundamental pillars of the security and sustainability of societies. From this perspective, we are working to build an integrated national ecosystem that not only protects the digital space but also empowers entrepreneurs and supports startups capable of developing innovative cybersecurity solutions that originate in the UAE and expand into global markets.”

He added that the program demonstrates how collaboration between national entities can help accelerate the growth of cybersecurity companies and support the development of businesses capable of competing internationally, while strengthening the UAE’s digital readiness and position as a regional and global hub for cybersecurity technologies.

Mouza Al Nasri said: “The launch of this program reflects the Khalifa Fund’s leading role in supporting and empowering entrepreneurs in collaboration with its strategic partners, while fostering the growth of startups across various sectors, including cybersecurity. This is achieved by providing an enabling environment that supports the development of scalable ventures and creates greater opportunities to transform ideas into success stories and productive businesses with sustainable economic impact.”

She added that the program supports the diversification of the national economy by strengthening the capabilities of startups, enabling business growth, and increasing the competitiveness of Emirati cybersecurity companies while contributing to long-term economic development.

According to Khalifa Fund, the initiative is expected to support the development of a new generation of cybersecurity companies capable of creating solutions for both domestic and international markets, further strengthening the UAE’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

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