DSO opens registration for the third cohort of the MIT DesignX

Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the special economic zone for knowledge and innovation, and a member of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), has announced that registration is now open for the third cohort of the MIT DesignX Dubai Accelerator Programme (MDXB).

- Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

Held in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Global Growth Hub, the programme will run from 20 October 2025 through 28 January 2026 at Dubai Silicon Oasis.

The third cohort of the MIT DesignX Dubai Accelerator Programme will bring together 12 innovative teams focused on developing sustainable solutions to some of today’s most pressing urban challenges. The programme will focus on five key sectors of strategic importance - real estate, design and architecture, transportation and logistics, sustainability, and health, each aligned with Dubai's long-term vision for smart, resilient and future-ready cities.

This edition builds on the success of previous cohorts. In the first cohort, Othalo secured a $200,000 investment for their pioneering solution that transforms plastic waste into housing for underserved communities. In the second cohort, Theion was awarded Dhs 100,000 in recognition of their work in crystalline lithium-sulfur battery technology, a significant advancement in energy innovation. In addition, they received a yearlong business setup at the Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (Dtec), the largest tech-focused coworking space of its kind in the Mena region and a key initiative of Dubai Silicon Oasis, providing them with a launchpad to scale their innovation within the UAE's growing digital economy.