Techscaler United Arab Emirates Market Engagement Mission

We’re opening applications for a one-week Market Engagement mission to Abu Dhabi in January 2026, designed for Techscaler founders in health/medtech, energy/climate tech, and fintech who are already engaging in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

This is a focused opportunity to gain on-the-ground insight, follow up on meaningful relationships, and deepen engagement with a fast-moving, well-capitalised market with strong appetite for transformational technologies.

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What this mission is about

This is a one-week Market Engagement trip with pre-departure activities and follow-up long-term impact reporting, designed to help you:
  • Understand the UAE’s business culture and commercial environment
  • Strengthen relationships with industry partners, buyers, and innovation leaders
  • Explore opportunities across Abu Dhabi’s health, climate, energy, and financial innovation sectors
  • Shape a clear and credible strategy for your UAE market expansion
As a Scottish Government–funded programme, there may be a half-day of commitment involving government activity as part of the mission. This is also expected to offer an opportunity to engage with UAE Government counterparts, who can help facilitate introductions to relevant industry contacts (exact details will be communicated to participants).

This is a supported, founder-led trip. We’ll guide you through context-setting, help you set strategic goals, and provide mentorship; however, the business development you pursue in-market is driven by you.

Why the UAE?

The UAE is one of the fastest-moving commercial environments in the world, with high capital density and a clear mandate to adopt technologies that advance health outcomes, accelerate decarbonisation, and modernise financial infrastructure.

For founders who are already engaging in the region, Abu Dhabi provides a direct route into the Gulf’s rapidly evolving innovation landscape, where well-aligned solutions can translate into meaningful commercial conversations.

This mission builds on Techscaler’s wider international work in Singapore, Japan, and the Bay Area. We take founders to global ecosystems where the market is already pulling.

The Gulf is opening significant opportunities for companies that can contribute to its ambitious long-term vision, and this moment offers a strong platform for Scottish founders to deepen relationships and progress their expansion strategy.

Who this is for

We’re looking for up to 6 ambitious founders who meet the following profile:

  • Operates in Health/Medtech, Energy/Climate Tech, or Fintech
  • Owns a revenue-generating business
  • Has existing UAE customers, paid pilots, or investment from the UAE or has at least already started engaging with UAE partners and can demonstrate meaningful traction

If you don’t think you meet all of these criteria but believe this opportunity is the right next step for your company, we still encourage you to apply.

You must be a Techscaler member and able to represent both your company and Scotland’s tech ecosystem professionally. Please note that you can’t apply on behalf of someone else.

Key dates

  • Applications open: Monday 1 December
  • Applications close: Monday 8 December at 9am
  • Panel review: Monday 8 December (please note we will not be able to accept any late applications past 9am that morning)
  • Outcome sent: Wednesday 10 December
  • Pre-departure activities: Weeks of 5 & 12 January (workshop, mentorship sessions, online cohort mixer)
  • Travel: Saturday 24 January → Saturday 31 January
  • Post-programme: Impact surveys post trip, at 6 months and 12 months

What’s included

  • Return flights from Scotland to Abu Dhabi + hotel accommodation in Abu Dhabi
  • Pre-departure workshop and online cohort mixer
  • Mentorship session with one of our mentors who has UAE expertise
  • Session with one of our Entrepreneurs in Residence

What’s expected from you

  • Attend all pre-departure activities and schedule your own meetings ahead of time
  • Engage fully throughout the week in-market
  • Commit to approximately half a day of government-related activity during the mission (exact details will be communicated to participants)
  • Complete post-programme reporting and follow-up activities

Ready to apply?

Places are limited and competitive and reserved for Techscaler members. Please note that you can't apply on behalf of someone else, you have to apply for yourself and be a Techscaler member at the time of application.

We encourage founders with clear commercial traction, strong sector alignment, and active UAE engagement to apply. To complete your application, you will need a pitch deck, along with up-to-date sales and revenue figures, your international expansion plan, and details of your existing and planned engagement with the UAE market.

Not a Techscaler member yet? You'll be prompted to apply.
‍Already a member? You'll be sent a link with the full application form.