The Founders Program spotlights the most promising AI-driven startups and their founders, providing them with visibility, connections, and strategic opportunities at the year-end largest AI conference and in one of the world’s most dynamic innovation hubs: Dubai.
JURY MEMBERS
Why join?
Connect with buyers and investors
Network in the exclusive Founders Lounge
Join 5,000+ AI founders with a free ticket
Get your free conference ticket
Exhibit with a free booth
Alongside 100+ exhibitors
Pitch to global VCs & Enterprise leaders
Take the stage and showcase your vision
Share the stage with leading AI voices
Across one of three stages
Get featured by media and influencers
Tech, business, and mainstream – global & local
Exclusive Benefits for Pitch Participants
In Collaboration with
Top 5 startups selected at /function1 Founders Program will receive $100 worth of NVIDIA Brev credits each to accelerate their AI development and experimentation.
Brev helps teams launch and scale GPU-powered environments instantly — perfect for training, deploying, and testing your AI models in real time.
Brev helps teams launch and scale GPU-powered environments instantly — perfect for training, deploying, and testing your AI models in real time.
Empowering AI & Web3 founders through decentralized seed funding. The top 5 finalists receive $ 1,000 each in $SURGE tokens, and the winner earns $ 5,000 plus direct access to the Surge team for potential incubation and acceleration.
All participating founders get a 1-year free Startup Package, featuring a profile on Lucidity Insights: Powering Emerging Market Tech Ecosystems, access to 800+ verified VCs and angels, and direct pitching tools — plus full access to exclusive reports, podcasts, and masterclasses on scaling across MENA.
About Founders Program
We’re looking for Founders building AI-first startups with global ambitions and solutions that address real, pressing problems – in any field, at any stage.
Whether you’re redefining an industry or creating something entirely new, if AI is at your core, we want to hear your story.
What do Founders get?*
*Only a limited number of Founders will receive everything on this list.
Whether you’re redefining an industry or creating something entirely new, if AI is at your core, we want to hear your story.
What do Founders get?*
- Free tickets to the conference
- A free branded booth
- A startup pitch slot
- A speaking slot on one of our stages
- Access to the Founders Lounge
*Only a limited number of Founders will receive everything on this list.
Application & Participation Details
Rolling Review Process
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and opportunities (booths, tickets, pitching slots, speaking sessions, etc.) are offered on a first-come, first-reviewed basis
Limited Availability
Spaces are limited, so early submission is encouraged
Selection Notification
Only selected applicants will be contacted for participation
Confirmation Required
Approved participants must sign a participation contract to secure their slot
Rolling Review Process
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and opportunities (booths, tickets, pitching slots, speaking sessions, etc.) are offered on a first-come, first-reviewed basis
Limited Availability
Spaces are limited, so early submission is encouraged
Selection Notification
Only selected applicants will be contacted for participation
Confirmation Required
Approved participants must sign a participation contract to secure their slot
A Glimpse of Our 5000+ Founders
And more...
Ecosystem Partner
Ready to Make Your Mark in AI?
Join Founders Program to get a chance to be selected