GameForward Accelerator Empowers Emirati Game Developers To Scale Dubai's Gaming Ecosystem

GameForward, a new accelerator announced by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), is set to support Emirati game developers and grow Dubai’s game development ecosystem, in partnership with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.

The initiative targets the global gaming market, which Newzoo projected would generate US$188.8 billion (AED693.4 billion) in 2025 revenues, and aims to help Emirati participants convert creative concepts into revenue-generating companies, reinforcing Dubai’s strategy to build a resilient, diversified digital economy grounded in innovation and entrepreneurship.

GameForward is closely linked with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), as it enables national talent to access high-growth, technology-focused sectors while supporting a wider innovation-led entrepreneurship ecosystem, and contributes to Dubai SME’s roadmap to help launch 27,000 new Emirati businesses by 2033 across different knowledge-based industries.

The programme is also aligned with the Dubai Programme for Gaming 2033, which aims to place Dubai among the world’s top 10 gaming cities and create 30,000 new jobs in the gaming sector, reinforcing the emirate’s long-term objective to build a competitive, sustainable creative economy.

Starting in March 2026, GameForward will run as a structured accelerator built on four strategic support pillars, delivering targeted technical and business assistance that covers game design and monetisation skills, commercial readiness, specialist mentorship and access to the wider startup ecosystem through Dubai Founders HQ and partner networks.

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Dubai SME designed GameForward in coordination with the Dubai Films and Games Commission (DFGC), the main government body under the Dubai Media Council responsible for advancing the emirate’s film and gaming sectors, ensuring the accelerator supports policy objectives for content creation, talent development and industry growth across both areas.

GameForward gaming accelerator participation, funding and global scaling

Participation in GameForward is open to individual Emirati developers and teams that include at least one Emirati founder, with the programme targeting both early-stage creators who hold strong concepts and developers already operating projects that require support to scale their reach and commercial performance.

The accelerator will conclude with a Demo Day held during the Dubai Esports and Games Festival in May 2026, where shortlisted teams will present to industry specialists, festival visitors and an expert panel of gaming leaders and investors, who will evaluate pitches for potential grants and support.

The winning team based in Dubai will gain exclusive post-programme backing, including guidance to expand internationally beyond the UAE market and tailored global scaling assistance, giving high-potential developers a pathway from local concept to regional and worldwide distribution while remaining anchored in Dubai’s ecosystem.

"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, highlighting the focus on both talent development and long-term economic impact.

Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, said the programme supports the Authority’s goals to invest in Emirati talent, create opportunities that develop ideas and measurable value, and reinforce Dubai’s status as a global creative economy hub, strengthening links between cultural production and interactive digital content such as games.

With inputs from WAM