Khalifa Fund Light Manufacturing Accelerator

Led by Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and delivered by C3 – Companies Creating Change

A hands-on accelerator supporting industrial founders and SMEs based in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra, and/or licensed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, to move from prototype to production through access to facilities, pilot manufacturing, certification, and buyers.

About the Program

The Khalifa Fund Light Manufacturing Accelerator is a hands-on program designed to support industrial founders and small and medium-sized enterprises in turning physical products into manufacturable, market-ready solutions.

Unlike traditional accelerators that focus primarily on business models or pitching, this program is built for founders who are ready to take the next step toward production. Participants receive practical support to test, refine, and validate manufacturing processes, prepare for certification, and engage with potential buyers and procurement opportunities.

The program focuses on addressing common barriers that prevent promising products from reaching production, including manufacturing readiness, pilot production planning, and pathways to commercialization.

Who Can Apply?

This program is intended for:

  • Industrial founders and SMEs developing physical products

  • Companies that are based in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra and/or hold a valid Abu Dhabi DED–issued license

  • Teams with a prototype, MVP, or early product ready to move toward production

  • Founders seeking to test small-batch manufacturing and prepare for market entry

This program is not designed for idea-only concepts or software-only products.

Register Your Interest

What Participants Will Gain

Selected participants will benefit from:

  • Support to move from prototype or MVP to pilot and small-batch production

  • Guidance on manufacturing readiness, including production planning and quality considerations

  • Advisory support on certification and compliance pathways

  • Exposure to buyers, procurement opportunities, and commercial partners

  • A structured program designed to help founders take practical steps toward sustainable manufacturing

Program Focus Areas

The Light Manufacturing Accelerator supports ventures operating across priority light manufacturing sectors, including but not limited to:

Steel and Metal Products

Wood and Modular Components

Textiles and Packaging

Electronics and Plastic

Other Light Manufacturing Components

Eligibility and Geographic Scope

The program is open to companies that meet at least one of the following conditions:

  • Are physically based in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra, or

  • Hold or commit to holding a valid commercial or industrial license issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Abu Dhabi DED)

Companies physically based outside Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra are eligible only if they hold, or will hold, an Abu Dhabi DED–issued license.

Additional eligibility requirements:

  • Founder age: 21 years or older

  • Nationality: Emirati-owned company or a joint venture with at least one Emirati co-founder

Applications are now open

To apply, please complete the online application form using the link below.

We encourage interested founders and SMEs to apply early.

Apply Now

The Khalifa Fund Light Manufacturing Accelerator is led by Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and delivered by C3 – Companies Creating Change, in collaboration with leading academic and industry partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The program is open to industrial founders and SMEs developing physical products that are based in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra and/or hold a valid commercial or industrial license issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Abu Dhabi DED).
    The program is intended for companies with a prototype, MVP, or early product and is not suitable for idea-only or software-only businesses.

  • No. Companies may be physically based outside of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra as long as they hold a valid Abu Dhabi DED–issued license that remains active for the duration of the program.
    However, applicants must be available and committed to attend in-person working sessions and to conduct manufacturing activities, including pilot or small-batch production, in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra when required as part of the program.

  • The online application takes approximately 10–12 minutes to complete. Applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and prepare brief descriptions of their product and manufacturing plans before starting.

  • Applicants should have a physical product at the prototype, MVP, or early product stage and be ready to move toward pilot or small-batch production.
    Idea-only concepts without a developed product are not the primary focus of this program.

  • All applications will be reviewed by the program team. Shortlisted applicants may be contacted for additional information or invited to participate in further assessment steps as part of the selection process. Due to limited capacity, only a select number of companies will be invited to join the next phase of the program.