The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), an entity of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), in partnership with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), has launched GameForward, a new accelerator program aimed at supporting Emirati game developers and strengthening Dubai’s growing game development ecosystem.

Through GameForward, Emirati developers will be supported in transforming creative ideas into commercially viable businesses, reinforcing Dubai’s push to build a resilient and diversified economy.

The program also aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Films and Games Commission (DFGC), the government body under the Dubai Media Council responsible for advancing the emirate’s film and gaming industries.

The initiative taps into the strong growth of the global gaming industry, which market intelligence firm Newzoo projected would reach revenues of US$188.8 billion (AED693.4 billion) in 2025, highlighting a significant commercial opportunity.

The accelerator will culminate in a Demo Day at the Dubai Esports and Games Festival in May 2026, where shortlisted teams will showcase their projects to industry experts and audiences, and pitch to a panel of gaming leaders and investors for the chance to secure grant funding.

The winning Dubai-based team will receive exclusive post-programme support and assistance to scale internationally, helping them expand beyond the UAE market.

GameForward supports the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) by enabling Emirati talent to participate in high-growth, future-oriented sectors and by strengthening Dubai’s innovation-driven entrepreneurship ecosystem.

It also forms part of Dubai SME’s broader mission to expand Emirati entrepreneurship and deliver its roadmap to support the launch of 27,000 new Emirati businesses by 2033. In parallel, it aligns with the Dubai Programme for Gaming 2033, which aims to position Dubai among the world’s top 10 gaming cities and create 30,000 new jobs in the sector.

“We are building Dubai’s gaming economy from the ground up by equipping Emirati developers with world-class training and mentorship, ensuring that local innovation remains at the heart of Dubai’s future as a global digital economy hub,” said Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting CEO of Dubai SME.

Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, added that the programme reflects the Authority’s commitment to investing in Emirati talent by offering opportunities that encourage innovation, develop ideas, and generate tangible value, while reinforcing Dubai’s standing as a global creative economy hub.

Open to individual Emirati developers and teams with at least one Emirati founder, GameForward is designed for high-potential creators as well as developers seeking to scale existing projects.

The accelerator will run from March 2026 and will offer structured support across four core pillars: technical training through masterclasses on game design, monetisation, and publishing; business readiness workshops covering go-to-market strategy, user acquisition, and investor pitching; strategic mentorship from industry veterans and technical specialists; and ecosystem integration, with access to resources from Dubai Founders HQ to help strengthen founders’ connections within the startup community.