MandatesAnalysis
DIFC Innovation Hub selects ten scale-ups for Geospatial Accelerator
Programme pairs space and Earth Observation firms with UAE entities across maritime, insurance, built environment and public safety sectors.
DIFC Innovation Hub and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre announced on Friday 23 October 2026 the selection of ten international scale-ups for the Geospatial Accelerator, the inaugural programme under the Space for Earth Labs platform. The programme received 73 applications from 24 countries. Of these, 63 met validity criteria and 45 advanced to the interview stage.
Selected scale-ups and operational partners#
The ten selected firms are AtlasAI, FlyPix AI, Geospatial Insight, GHGSat, Latitudo40, Little Place Labs, SatSure, SparkGeo, Stellaria and V-Nova. Each will be matched to one of five UAE organisations: FADA, part of EDGE Group; the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure National Maritime Centre; Dubai Civil Defence General Command; Buro Happold; and Liva Insurance, part of Liva Group. Each pairing will develop proof-of-concept pilots across maritime and infrastructure, insurance and risk, the built environment, public safety and geospatial intelligence.
Programme structure and application process#
The Geospatial Accelerator was launched at the Dubai Airshow in November 2025. Based at the DIFC Innovation Hub, the Space for Earth Labs platform connects space and Earth Observation technologies with artificial intelligence, commercial expertise and industry demand. Each use case matches a scale-up to an operational challenge at a UAE entity, applying space and AI innovation to solutions across maritime safety, insurance, the built environment and public safety. The programme was established by DIFC Innovation Hub in partnership with MBRSC and Relm Insurance.
Platform objectives and location#
Space for Earth Labs offers companies a single access point for applying space-derived data to challenges in the commercial and public sectors. The platform operates from the DIFC Innovation Hub. Mohammad Alblooshi is Chief Executive Officer at DIFC Innovation Hub. The programme operates under the Space for Earth Labs platform announced in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre and Relm Insurance.
Proof-of-concept development and sectors#
The selected firms will develop proof-of-concept pilots with their matched UAE partners. The pilots will address operational challenges across five sectors: maritime safety, insurance, the built environment, public safety and geospatial intelligence. The programme pairs each scale-up with a UAE public or private sector organisation facing a specific operational challenge. The proof-of-concept phase follows the selection process that narrowed 73 applications to ten scale-ups through assessment and interview stages.
Sources1 source across 1 domain
- economymiddleeast.comEconomy Middle EastDIFC Innovation Hub and MBRSC announced selection of ten scale-ups on 23 October 2026, programme received 73 applications from 24 countries with 63 valid and 45 progressing to interview, names of selected firms and UAE partner organisations, launch date of November 2025, Mohammad Alblooshi is CEO at
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