Written by Impact-driven startups and social enterprises can now apply for Expo City Dubai Foundation’s Global Innovators Programme, which offers grants of up to US$ 100,000. The programme backs scalable solutions that tackle urgent challenges, especially in the Global South.
The Expo City Dubai Foundation continues the legacy of Expo Live by funding entrepreneurs who address major social, environmental, and humanitarian challenges.
For African founders, this is a powerful opportunity to gain global exposure, scale your solutions, and work with a foundation that has disbursed grants to innovators in over 90 countries.
Past support has included mentoring, access to international networks, and business development resources.
What the Program Supports
This 2025 cohort is focused on extreme heat in humanitarian and emergency settings.
Solutions may include:
- Cooling shelters or infrastructure
- Off-grid energy systems
- Health tech innovations to respond to heat-related risks
- Water and food resilience tools designed for hot and challenging environments
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should meet the following:
- A legally registered social enterprise, startup, SME, or non-profit
- Demonstrable social, environmental, or humanitarian impact
- Must be prototype-ready or beyond — not just in idea stage
- Operating in or based in the Global South is a priority for this cohort
- Good organisational capacity, clear impact plans, and realistic scaling or replication strategies
Benefits
Selected innovators receive:
- Grant funding up to US$ 100,000 per project
- Mentorship and guidance from Expo City Dubai Foundation’s network
- Strategic partnerships and development support
- Global visibility across Expo City Dubai’s platforms and innovation ecosystem
Application & Deadline
- Deadline for application: 23 November 2025
- How to apply: Submit your proposal and supporting materials on the Expo City Dubai Global Grants Programme portal.
- Selection process: Proposals are evaluated based on innovation, scalability, impact, and alignment with the theme.
Tips for Applicants
- Clearly define the heat-related challenge you’re solving — use data and context to show urgency.
- Build a strong impact narrative: how your solution will scale, who benefits, and what change it will bring.
- Demonstrate operational readiness: show you have a prototype or a working model.
- Prepare a realistic budget and roadmap: how you’ll use the grant, expected milestones, and measurable outcomes.
- Highlight partnerships or networks: this strengthens your application and shows you’re not going it alone.