ACCELERATING THE NEXT-GEN HOSPITALITY STARTUPS IN DUBAI, UAE
The Dubai Hospitality Growth Network brings together some of the most respected names in hospitality, growth, and investment to support the next wave of UAE-based F&B founders.
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About The Accelerator
DUBAI’S FIRST EVER HOSPITALITY GROWTH NETWORK
Dubai Hospitality Growth Network is the city’s first post-incubator accelerator created specifically for hospitality brands ready to scale. We bridge the gap by connecting UAE-based founders with industry titans in investment, operations, and brand strategy.
Founded by a powerhouse collective - Yazz Abdulla (Urban Hospitality), Asif Ali (Restaurant Experts Fund), Sascha Dutta (Foodpreneurs Collective), and Jamal Maxey (Pitch Lounge). We provide the specialized mentorship and capital access required for operators to master their next stage of growth.
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WHO CAN APPLY?
Is your brand ready for the next level? We are looking for UAE-based hospitality operators generating AED 5M+ in annual turnover. If you have the traction but need the strategy, structure, and investment to scale your empire, this is the programme for you.
Entry Criteria
Eligibility
Business Type: UAE-registered QSR, Grab & Go, Cafe, or Neighborhood Restaurant.
Revenue: Minimum AED 5M+ annual turnover.
Required Docs: Pitch/Brand deck and core business metrics (team, growth plans, social links).
Commitment to Diversity: We strongly encourage applications from Female Founders and UAE-based founders from South East Asia, South America, and Africa.
Cohort Size & Intakes
Limited Intake for Maximum Impact
To ensure high-quality support and direct access to our mentors, we limit intake to:
Ten companies per cohort.
Two cohorts per year.
This exclusive structure guarantees meaningful relationships and dedicated attention for every founder.
The Finale
Exposure and Opportunities
‘The programme concludes with a formal Graduation Ceremony in Dubai, where each cohort company is officially recognised for completing the programme. The ceremony will be hosted at a prestigious culinary venue in the city’
Grab & Go's
Cafés
Cloud Kitchens
Community Restaurants
THE PROGRAMME
Six Months of Real Impact. No Theory. Just What Works.
Over six months, each cohort member receives targeted support across the core pillars that drive successful F&B businesses. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all curriculum. We identify what actually matters for your business right now and focus on the areas that will deliver the greatest impact for your growth stage, strategy, and ambitions. Depending on your needs, programme focus areas may include:
APPLY NOWART OF OPERATIONS
Building efficient, scalable systems that work on the ground—not just on paper. From streamlining daily processes to improving consistency and performance, we help create operations that support sustainable growth.
MARKETING, BRANDING & PRODUCT STRATEGY
Sharpening your brand, proposition and customer experience to drive sustainable demand. We help align your marketing, product offering and positioning to stand out in a competitive hospitality market.
BUSINESS PROTECTION & COMMERCIAL AWARENESS
Strengthening contracts, structures and decision-making to protect and future-proof your business. Understand your commercial obligations, manage risk and make more informed decisions as you grow.
CULTURE, LEADERSHIP & LEARNING DEVELOPMENT
Developing leaders, teams and cultures that scale with the business. Build stronger leadership capabilities, empower your people and create an environment where teams can learn, perform and thrive.
CAPEX PLANNING & BUDGET MANAGEMENT
Smarter capital deployment, tighter financial control and clearer returns. Learn to plan investment, manage budgets and make informed financial decisions that support long-term profitability.
RAISING INVESTMENT & NETWORK EXPOSURE
Preparing for funding, refining your story and accessing the right investors and partners. Develop a compelling investment proposition and build the connections needed to support your next stage of growth.
SCALING, GROWTH & EXIT READINESS
Structuring the business for multi-site growth, regional expansion or a future exit. Build the systems, capabilities and commercial foundations needed to scale sustainably and maximise long-term business value.
HOSPITALITY SYSTEMS & OPERATIONS
Ensuring guest expectations and operational delivery go hand in hand. Explore the systems, processes and service standards that improve efficiency, enhance the customer experience and maintain consistency as your business grows.
OUR MENTORS
Growth requires the right inner circle. Our mentors are hand-selected operators, investors, and specialists with deep experience across UAE, UK, and international markets. They haven't just studied the industry—they’ve scaled it.
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HOW DOES IT WORK?
Each cohort runs for 6 months and includes 10 carefully selected hospitality brands. You’ll receive a mix of in-person and online support, with a flexible, practical approach designed to fit around real operational life.
01
Mentorship
Pick & mix learning: up to 10 hours This program offers a flexible, high-impact learning experience designed to unlock the next phase of your business growth. It features up to 10 hours of monthly sessions with hand-selected experts who provide targeted mentorship in brand strengthening and strategic development, customized specifically to your operational needs.per month of expert-led sessions
02
Exposure
When it comes to growing a business, connections matter. As part of Hospitality Growth Platform, you’ll gain direct access to our powerful network of industry leaders and decision-makers who can help accelerate your growth. With immediate access to key decision-makers, this element of the programme delivers impact fast—saving valuable time and resources while unlocking opportunities that would otherwise take months to achieve
03
Direct Access
No more searching for the right support. No more second-guessing experience or hoping your vision takes shape. Our mentors are carefully selected for their proven track records, deep market expertise, and specialist knowledge across key growth areas. Each mentor is fully invested in your success—working alongside you to drive meaningful results and long-term, sustainable growth.
04
Funding
When your business is investment-ready and positioned for its next stage of growth, we provide direct exposure to the right investment opportunities. Our mentors work closely with you to ensure your business is fully prepared, credible, and investor-ready. With direct access to investors, we’re here to help turn your growth ambitions into reality.
MEET THE TEAM
YAZZ ABDULLA
Founder & CEO, Urban Hospitality Group
Yazz is a hospitality leadership expert with over 25 years of experience, including senior roles at Nando’s UK and Papa John’s. For the last 17 years, he has specialised in helping global hospitality brands—particularly in the UAE market—optimise operations, implement F&B trends, and achieve scalable growth.
SASCHA DUTTA
Founder, Foodpreneurs Collective
Sascha is an F&B veteran with over 25 years of experience in corporate leadership to building startup ecosystems. For the past six years, she has focused on the UK and UAE markets, designing programs and events that provide food startups with resources, networking, and growth opportunities.
ASIF ALI
CEO, Restaurant Experts Fund
With 31+ years in hospitality, Asif has successfully operated restaurants and supported hospitality startups through investment, product development, and strategic advisory, helping founders navigate growth and commercial decision-making.
JAMAL MAXEY
Founder, Pitch Lounge
Jamal is a recognised expert in connecting F&B startups with investors through pitch events and structured startup programming. He specialises in pitch deck development, investor storytelling, and elevator pitch preparation, helping founders confidently raise capital.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is the Dubai Hospitality Growth Network?
Dubai Hospitality Growth Network is Dubai’s first post-incubator accelerator designed specifically for hospitality brands that already have traction and are ready to scale. Powered by Urban Hospitality Group, Foodpreneurs Collective, Restaurant Experts Fund, and Pitch Lounge, the programme supports UAE-based restaurant founders with expert-led strategy, mentorship, and investment readiness.
Who is the programme designed for?
The programme is built for established hospitality businesses in the UAE, including:
QSR brands
Grab & Go concepts
Cafés
Cloud kitchens
Neighbourhood restaurants
Other Hospitality Businesses
If your business generates AED 5M+ in annual turnover and you’re looking for structure, clarity, growth strategy, and investment preparation, this accelerator is designed for you.
Is this suitable for early-stage or pre-revenue concepts?
No. Dubai Hospitality Growth Network is a post-incubator accelerator. It’s specifically designed for operators who already have proven traction, operational complexity, and real growth ambitions.
How long does the programme run?
Each cohort runs for six months, with a carefully curated group of up to 10 hospitality brands to ensure meaningful support and access.
How is the programme delivered?
The programme combines:
In-person sessions in Dubai
Online workshops and mentoring
Flexible scheduling designed to fit around real operational demands
This is a practical, operator-first programme—not classroom theory.
How much time do I need to commit each month?
Founders can expect up to 10 hours per month of structured learning and support, plus optional community engagement and mentorship sessions scheduled at mutually convenient times.
What will I actually learn during the programme?
Over six months, you’ll work through real-world, operator-led modules covering:
The Art of Operations
Marketing, Branding & Product Strategy
Business Protection & Commercial Awareness
Culture, Leadership & Learning & Development
CAPEX Planning & Budget Management
Raising Investment & Network Exposure
Scaling, Growth & Exit Readiness
Everything is designed to be applied immediately to your business.
What kind of mentorship is included, delivered online/in person
Every founder receives 10 x one-hour 1:1 mentoring sessions with seasoned hospitality specialists.
Delivered online or in person
Scheduled at mutually convenient times
Mentors selected based on your specific needs (operations, finance, branding, growth, investment, etc.)
Mentorship is actively managed by Hospitality Growth Network to ensure maximum value.
Who are the mentors?
All mentors are hand-selected hospitality operators, investors, advisors, and specialists with proven experience across the UAE, UK, and international markets. They’ve built, scaled, invested in, or exited hospitality businesses themselves.
What resources are included?
All programme resources are included, such as:
Session recordings and training materials
SOP templates, P&L frameworks, and operational tools
Practical content you can revisit during and after the programme
Exposure to the mentor network
You’ll also join a private founder cohort to share challenges, ask questions, and learn from peers at a similar growth stage.
How many businesses are accepted per cohort?
Each cohort is limited to a maximum of 10 companies, with only two cohorts per year. This ensures depth of support, real access to mentors, and strong peer relationships.
What is the entry criteria?
To apply, businesses must:
Be UAE-registered hospitality brands
Generate AED 5M+ in annual turnover
Operate within QSR, Grab & Go, café, cloud kitchen, or neighbourhood restaurant formats
Applicants must submit a pitch deck (or brand/landlord deck) and key business information, including turnover, team background, social channels, and growth or exit plans.
Is the investment guaranteed?
No investment is not guaranteed. However, the programme focuses heavily on investment readiness, commercial clarity, and network exposure, giving founders a far stronger position when engaging with investors.
Is the programme competitive?
Yes. Applications are reviewed carefully to ensure each cohort is aligned in ambition, stage, and quality. This protects the value of the programme for all participants.
Are international founders eligible?
Yes, as long as the business is UAE-based and registered. We strongly encourage applications from Female Founders and founders from Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa who are operating in the UAE.
What happens at the end of the programme?
The programme concludes with a graduation ceremony in Dubai, celebrating founder's progress and providing additional visibility within the hospitality and investment ecosystem.
How do I apply?
Applications can be submitted online by completing the application form and uploading the required materials. Due to limited cohort sizes, early applications are encouraged. Link To Application Form.
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