Presight opens applications for second AI Accelerator cohort
First cohort generated 70 commercial leads for programme startups within 52 days
#UAE #startups - G42 Group big data analytics company Presight, has opened applications for the second cohort of the Presight AI-Startup Accelerator, inviting AI startups, founders and entrepreneurs globally to apply until 31 January 2026. The six-month structured acceleration programme provides participants with direct market access across Presight, G42 and its partner ecosystem, advanced AI compute infrastructure, expert technical and commercial mentorship, and potential strategic investment through the Presight-Shorooq Fund. The inaugural cohort attracted over 120 applications from 17 countries, with 10 selected startups representing a combined valuation exceeding $300 million. The first programme generated more than 70 qualified commercial leads within 52 days for programme participants.
SO WHAT? - The Presight AI-Startup Accelerator addresses critical bottlenecks faced by early-stage AI ventures, which often struggle to scale not due to innovation gaps but limited access to enterprise infrastructure, strategic partners and commercial pathways. By providing startups with direct connections to G42’s ecosystem of companies and government relationships across the UAE and internationally, Presight offers a fast track from proof of concept to enterprise deployment that would typically take years to develop independently. Following the success of the inaugural cohort, the Presight AI-Startup Accelerator is sure to become a much sought after programme by AI startups worldwide.
Here are some key points about the accelerator:
ADX-listed Presight (ADX:PRESIGHT), has opened applications for the second cohort of the Presight AI-Startup Accelerator, inviting AI startups, founders and entrepreneurs globally to apply until 31 January 2026.
The six-month structured acceleration programme is designed to fast-track commercialisation and accelerate deployment of applied AI products and solutions, providing participants with direct market access across Presight, G42 and its global partner ecosystem alongside structured commercial pathways supporting proofs of concept and pilot deployments.
The inaugural cohort attracted more than 120 applications from 17 countries, with 10 selected startups completing the programme and now representing a combined valuation exceeding $300 million, demonstrating the calibre of ventures attracted to the initiative.
First cohort participants generated more than 70 qualified commercial and strategic leads within 52 days of programme commencement, with multiple startups now in advanced partnership and contract discussions with G42 Group companies, major enterprises and government entities in the UAE and internationally.
Notable partnerships emerging from the inaugural cohort include Vulcan with AstraTech and CPX, AlphaGeo with Space42, Waverity with AIQ, and Nodeshift, Ajari and Derq with Presight, demonstrating the programme’s effectiveness in facilitating enterprise connections.
Participants gain access to advanced AI compute and enterprise-grade infrastructure for model development and scaling, complemented by expert technical and commercial mentorship from Presight, G42, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), Microsoft and global industry specialists, plus high-visibility exposure at major international industry events.
The programme includes opportunity to present to Presight-Shorooq Fund I for potential strategic investment, with support extending up to twelve months post-programme to drive sustained scaling, partnerships and enterprise deployment beyond the formal acceleration period.
The Presight AI-Startup Accelerator is guided by a global Advisory Board chaired by His Excellency Mansoor Al Mansoori, Vice Chairman of Presight, joined by Jack Selby, Managing Director of Thiel Capital, and Meng Xiong Kuok, Founder and Managing Partner of K3 Ventures.
Programme partners include Microsoft, MBZUAI, Hub71, Astana Hub, Shorooq Partners, UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dubai World Trade Centre, the UAE Cyber Security Council and G42 Group companies.
ZOOM OUT - The Presight AI-Startup Accelerator operates in conjunction with Presight-Shorooq Fund I, a $100 million global AI innovation fund launched in September 2025 by Presight and Abu Dhabi-headquartered investment firm Shorooq. The fund targets investments in 25 to 30 AI and deep tech startups at multiple stages, with 40% of capital reserved for later funding rounds supporting companies demonstrating scaling capability. Unlike traditional venture capital, the fund combines financial investment with access to Presight’s technical infrastructure including cloud compute, GPU resources and secure data environments, alongside international customer networks and distribution channels.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
LINKS
Presight AI Startup Accelerator registration (Presight)
Read about Presight’s AI Accelerator programme:
Presight appoints global Advisory Board for AI fund (Middle East AI News)
Presight & Shorooq launch $100 million AI fund (Middle East AI News)
Presight AI-Startup Accelerator holds first bootcamp (Middle East AI News)
Presight selects 10 AI startups to join accelerator (Middle East AI News)
Deadline approaches for Presight AI startup accelerator (Middle East AI News)
Presight launches accelerator for early stage AI startups (Middle East AI News)