Where Innovation Meets Opportunity
Future First by Global Ventures is a demand-led market access accelerator connecting high-growth European startups with the markets, partners, and opportunities driving transformation across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Powered by C3, the program is designed for founders building in the foundational sectors shaping the future, with validated technologies ready to scale across some of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis.
What Founders Gain
A structured pathway into priority Middle East and Africa markets — with investor conversations and corporate pilots on the table.
Warm introductions to corporate partners, investors, and ecosystem leaders across the region.
An eight-week, 16-session curriculum in fundraising strategy, impact, governance, market entry, and live board meeting simulations, culminating in an investor showcase.
Join Founders' Day at Global Ventures' 8th AGM at The Dolder Grand, Zurich, on 29 September — two days of curated fireside chats and workshops alongside 60+ founders and 200+ international investors. See the speakers →
Program at a Glance
Who Should Apply
Future First is built for founders who have already proven product-market fit in Europe and are ready to scale into the Middle East and Africa. You should apply if:
With at least €1-5M+ in annual recurring revenue and a validated product showing commercial traction in Europe.
With a clear commitment to expanding across the Middle East and Africa.
Advancing food and agriculture, financial inclusion, healthcare, the future of work, or digital infrastructure.
With clear relevance to both European and MEA markets.
A genuine commitment to regional expansion — not exploration, but execution.
Focus Areas
Future First backs expansion into the foundational sectors driving MEA's long-term transformation. These are not niche verticals — they are the infrastructure the region is building its future on.
Food & Agriculture
Financial Inclusion
Healthcare
Future of Work
Digital Infrastructure
Supply Chain & Logistics
Hover over the cards to learn more
The program
The eight-week curriculum is built on C3's proven Growth Framework — and founders keep coming back for it.
16 sessions covering business strategy, impact fundamentals, talent, governance, and pitch preparation.
Each founder presents to a curated board of GV and C3 investors, sector experts, and corporate partners matched to their stage and market-access needs. 90-minute sessions include a founder pitch, board Q&A, closed-door deliberation, and a one-on-one feedback debrief.
A flagship showcase at a major European tech event, with a satellite touchpoint in the UAE. Founders pitch to a curated audience of MEA and European investors and potential partners, with structured matchmaking sessions to convert relationships into pilots and agreements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Future First is designed for companies with at least €1-5 million in annual recurring revenue. You should have a validated product with commercial traction in Europe and be ready to turn that into commercial partnerships across the Middle East and Africa.
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We welcome high-growth, European-based startups building in one of Future First's priority sectors: food and agriculture, financial inclusion, healthcare, the future of work, or digital infrastructure. Your technology should have clear relevance to both European and MEA markets, and you should have a genuine commitment to regional expansion.
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The eight-week core curriculum and the board meeting simulations are delivered online. The program then culminates in an in-person Demo Day at a major European tech event, with a satellite showcase in the UAE that brings selected founders face-to-face with the MEA market they are entering.
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The core program runs over eight weeks and is made up of 16 training sessions covering business strategy, impact fundamentals, talent, governance, and pitch preparation. Each founder then takes part in an 90-minute board meeting simulation, followed by a one-on-one feedback debrief. The program concludes with Demo Day in Q1/Q2 2027.
Ready to Scale into the Middle East and Africa?
Future First by Global Ventures, is a European accelerator with a structured pathway into the Middle East and Africa. If you are building in a foundational sector and ready to expand, this program was designed for you.
