For the first time in MENA history, active investors actually outnumber new startups being founded. The money is there - but it's looking for "investable" (de-risked) assets, not early-stage pre-PMF startups.
We don't lack capital. We lack early-stage support.
What would that bridge look like?
1. Non-dilutive grants
We need real innovation grants ($50k-$150k) that aren't tied to 10% of the cap table. I can barely think of any in the UAE.
2. Real accelerators
Accelerators here want 10% after you've already hit PMF. What's the point? In SF, a founder gets a $250k government grant (zero equity), then moves to a top-tier accelerator (minimal equity), and only then talks to a VC. We need programs that cater to earlier-stage startups - ones that actually support finding PMF and building your API.
3. Solving our risk-averse enterprise culture
We have a cultural nuance here where we don't have a risk-first mindset. Decision-making in enterprise is painfully slow. We need accelerators to stop offering "mentorship," "strategic advice," and demo days that don't go anywhere - and instead support with small $50k cheques to fund pilots and bridge the gap with corporate partners.
They are fiduciaries of someone else's money, and you're lashing out at them for not being supported in other parts of the ecosystem.