Expert – AI Startup Incubation

Job Purpose

Ai Startup Incubation & Mentorship

• Provide subject matter expertise and mentorship to AI startups participating in incubation and acceleration programs.
• Guide founders in refining AI use cases, product strategies, business models, and commercialization plans.
• Support startups in validating market opportunities, customer needs, and value propositions.
• Conduct technical and strategic reviews of startup solutions and business plans.
• Provide recommendations on scalability, adoption, regulatory considerations, and market readiness.

Startup Evaluation & Selection

• Participate in startup scouting, screening, evaluation, and selection processes.
• Assess the technical feasibility, innovation potential, and commercial viability of startup solutions.
• Contribute to incubation admission criteria, assessment frameworks, and startup maturity models.
• Prepare evaluation reports and recommendations for internal stakeholders and selection committees.

Ai Innovation & Emerging Technologies

• Monitor developments in Artificial Intelligence, Agentic AI, Generative AI, Autonomous Systems, and emerging technologies.
• Identify innovation opportunities relevant to Dubai's digital economy priorities.
• Advise startups on emerging technology trends, industry developments, and competitive positioning.
• Promote the adoption of responsible and ethical AI practices.

Ecosystem Development

• Build relationships with startups, innovation hubs, accelerators, venture capital firms, universities, research institutions, and industry partners.
• Support the development of strategic partnerships that strengthen Dubai's AI innovation ecosystem.
• Facilitate collaboration opportunities between startups, investors, government entities, and corporate partners.

Incubation Program Delivery

• Contribute to the design and execution of incubation and acceleration programs.
• Deliver workshops, mentoring sessions, office hours, and advisory engagements.
• Support startups in preparing investment pitches, demonstrations, and showcase events.
• Monitor startup progress and recommend interventions to improve performance and outcomes.

Thought Leadership & Market Insights

• Produce insights, reports, and recommendations on AI innovation and startup ecosystem trends.
• Represent Dubai Chambers at relevant events, conferences, forums, and ecosystem engagements.
• Contribute to positioning Dubai Chambers as a leading enabler of AI entrepreneurship and innovation.

Financial Accountability

• Provide input into the preparation and consolidation of the Department’s budget, monitor financial performance during the year and identify areas of unsatisfactory performance (if any), and recommend mitigating actions.

Information Security

• Adherence to the information security policies/processes/program and for reporting any security breaches or incidents to the direct management.

Policies, Systems, Processes & Procedures

• Support the development and continuous improvement of incubation frameworks, methodologies, and operational processes.
• Ensure compliance with applicable policies, governance requirements, and ethical AI principles.
• Contribute to the implementation of best practices in startup incubation and venture development.

Quality, Health, Security, Safety and Environment

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and relevant quality, health, safety, security and environmental procedures and controls across the Department to guarantee employee safety and delivery of high-quality services.

Reporting

• Prepare periodic reports on startup performance, incubation outcomes, ecosystem engagement, and program impact.
• Maintain accurate records of mentorship activities, startup assessments, and stakeholder engagements.

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Technology Management, Innovation Management, Entrepreneurship, or related field.

Preferred Qualification

• Master's Degree in Artificial Intelligence, Technology Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Digital Transformation, Business Administration, or related discipline.

Minimum Experience And Skills

• 8–12 years of relevant experience in Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, Startup Ecosystems, Venture Development, Technology Commercialization, or related fields.
• Minimum 5 years of experience working with startups, incubators, accelerators, venture studios, innovation programs, or entrepreneurship ecosystems.
• Experience mentoring, advising, evaluating, or supporting startup founders and early-stage ventures.

Preferred Experience

• Experience within AI-focused startups, accelerators, venture capital firms, innovation hubs, or technology ecosystems.
• Experience supporting fundraising, venture growth, product commercialization, or startup scaling initiatives.
• Experience in the UAE or regional innovation ecosystem.