Dubai SME, part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has partnered with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) to launch GameForward, a new accelerator aimed at supporting Emirati game developers and advancing Dubai’s growing game development ecosystem.
The programme targets opportunities within the rapidly expanding global gaming sector, which was projected to reach US$188.8 billion (AED693.4 billion) in revenue in 2025, according to data from Newzoo.
Through GameForward, Emirati developers will receive structured support to transform creative concepts into commercially sustainable businesses, contributing to Dubai’s vision of building a diversified and future-ready economy.
The accelerator aligns with the goals of the Dubai Films and Games Commission (DFGC), which operates under the Dubai Media Council and oversees the development of the emirate’s film and gaming industries.
The programme will conclude with a Demo Day at the Dubai Esports and Games Festival in May 2026, where shortlisted teams will present their projects to gaming professionals and investors, competing for grant opportunities and industry backing.
The top Dubai-based team will also benefit from exclusive post-programme guidance and international scaling support to help expand beyond the UAE.
GameForward supports the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) by empowering Emirati talent to participate in high-growth digital sectors while strengthening the emirate’s innovation-driven entrepreneurial landscape.
It also contributes to Dubai SME’s broader objective of enabling Emirati entrepreneurship, supporting its roadmap to facilitate the launch of 27,000 new Emirati businesses by 2033, and 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 gaming-related jobs.
“We are helping to build Dubai’s gaming economy from the ground up by equipping Emirati developers with world-class training and mentorship, ensuring that homegrown innovation remains central to Dubai’s economic 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, noted that the programme aligns with Dubai Culture’s commitment to nurturing Emirati talent by enabling innovation, supporting idea development, and delivering tangible value while reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global creative economy hub.
GameForward is open to individual Emirati developers and teams with at least one Emirati founder, supporting both early-stage creators and developers seeking to scale existing projects.
The accelerator is set to commence in March 2026, offering support across four key pillars: technical training through masterclasses on game design, monetisation, and publishing; business readiness workshops covering go-to-market strategies, user acquisition, and investor pitching; mentorship from gaming industry experts; and ecosystem integration through resources provided by Dubai Founders HQ.
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