• Research suggests In5 Dubai has supported over 850 start-ups, with notable ones including Tabby, Detectiome, Anghami, Ziina, and Podeo.
• It seems likely that community fundraising by In5 start-ups has reached approximately AED 8 billion, reflecting strong investor interest.
• Big names in the community include Tabby (Hosam Arab, Daniil Barkalov), Detectiome (Arman Vali), Anghami (Eddy Maroun, Elie Habib), Ziina (Andrew Gold, Sarah Toukan, Fasial Toukan), and Podeo (Stefano Fallaha, Anthony Essaye, Mario Hayek).
• In5 has branches like In5 Tech, In5 Media, In5 Design (including fashion), and In5 Science, each focusing on specific industries.
• Key people likely include Majed Al Suwaidi and Thomaz Domingues, prominent figures in In5’s leadership.

Below is a detailed survey of the In5 Dubai startup ecosystem, focusing on the founders of various start-ups, community fundraising statistics, notable big names, branches, and key personnel. This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview based on available information as of March 19, 2025.

In5 Dubai, launched by TECOM Group, is a pivotal platform for fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly within Dubai’s dynamic startup ecosystem. Since its inception in 2013, it has supported over 850 start-ups, with a focus on technology, media, design, and science. The incubator provides creative spaces, mentorship, and access to investors, facilitating the growth of new ventures. Research suggests that start-ups within In5 have raised approximately AED 8 billion in funding, with a notable 25% growth in 2023, reaching AED 3 billion that year, as reported in a press release from February 2024 (in5 start-ups note 25% funding growth in 2023). This funding milestone reflects In5’s role in facilitating investor engagement and partnerships, crucial for startup scalability.

The evidence leans toward identifying several start-ups and their founders, based on press releases, company profiles, and news articles. Below is a table of notable start-ups from In5 Dubai and their founders, where available:

These start-ups represent a diverse range of industries, from financial services to media and health technology, showcasing In5’s broad support for innovation. Notably, the inclusion of Ziina and Podeo, both raising significant funds in 2024, highlights an unexpected detail: the recent surge in fintech and podcasting sectors within In5, driven by Dubai’s pro-innovation framework and global investor interest.

The total funding raised by In5 start-ups is estimated at AED 8 billion, as reported in a press release from October 2024 (in5 start-up funding grows to AED 8 billion). This figure represents a 163% growth over 2023, underscoring the accelerated growth driven by Dubai’s economic strategies. The number of start-ups supported by In5 has grown to over 850 as of October 2023, up from over 750 in 2022, as noted in a February 2023 article (Start-ups enrolled in Dubai's in5 incubator). This expansion reflects In5’s role in nurturing a vibrant entrepreneurial community, particularly in technology, with a 13% annual increase in active tech start-ups to 270 in 2023.

The big names within In5’s community include Tabby, known for its buy-now-pay-later services and unicorn status; Detectiome, with its innovative AI-driven cancer detection; Anghami, a regional leader in music streaming; Ziina, enhancing digital payments; and Podeo, leading in podcast distribution. These start-ups have not only raised significant funds but also achieved global recognition, such as Anghami’s NASDAQ listing and Tabby’s partnerships with major retail brands. This diversity in big names illustrates In5’s success in fostering cross-disciplinary innovation, an unexpected detail given the incubator’s focus on specific sectors like tech and media.

In5 operates several specialized centers, each tailored to support specific industries:

• In5 Tech: Located in Dubai Internet City, focusing on technology start-ups, with access to smart labs and top investors, having raised AED 8 billion since 2013 for its start-ups (in5 Tech).
• In5 Media: Based in Dubai Production City, dedicated to media and content creation, offering facilities like recording studios and editing suites (In5 Centers).
• In5 Design: Situated in Dubai Design District, this branch includes fashion labs, supporting designers with state-of-the-art equipment, as seen in the launch of the in5 Fashion Lab in 2021 (in5 Fashion Lab).
• In5 Science: Hosted in Dubai Science Park, focusing on life, energy, and environment sciences, launched in June 2023 to align with sustainability goals (in5 start-ups note 25% funding growth in 2023).

These branches provide a structured environment for start-ups to thrive, with facilities like design labs and smart labs enhancing their capabilities.

Key figures in In5 include Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President at TECOM Group PJSC, who has been a prominent voice in press releases, emphasizing In5’s mission and funding milestones (in5 start-up funding grows to AED 8 billion). Another notable figure is Thomaz Domingues, Senior Manager - Strategy & Industrial Development, with over 15 years of experience in the creative economy, instrumental in connecting start-ups with stakeholders (Setting up an office in the UAE by in5). These leaders drive In5’s strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with Dubai’s economic goals.

An unexpected detail is the inclusion of fashion within In5 Design, with the in5 Fashion Lab offering boutique production facilities for designers, potentially broadening In5’s appeal beyond tech and media (in5 launches in5 Fashion Lab). This integration highlights In5’s holistic approach, supporting diverse creative industries. Furthermore, the community’s growth, with over 850 start-ups, reflects Dubai’s ambition to become a global innovation hub, with In5 playing a central role in nurturing talent and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration.

This survey provides a detailed snapshot of In5 Dubai’s ecosystem, emphasizing the founders, funding, and structure that make it a cornerstone of Dubai’s entrepreneurial landscape.

• in5 start-up funding grows to AED 8 billion as Dubai's pro-innovation frameworks nurture growth
• Start-ups enrolled in Dubai's in5 incubator raised more than Dh2.4bn in 2022
• in5 start-ups note 25% funding growth in 2023 as Dubai continues to nurture homegrown innovation
• In5 Innovation Centers official website
• Setting up an office in the UAE by in5 — Dubai Future Foundation
• in5 Tech official page
• In5 Centers official page at Dubai Internet City
• in5 Fashion Lab official page
• in5 launches in5 Fashion Lab Middle East Architect
• Gitex Global: Start-ups at In5 in Dubai Internet City raise Dh3 billion

Here’s a detailed breakdown of key individuals associated with in5 Dubai, including leadership, mentors, startup founders, and ecosystem partners, based on the provided search results:

1. Majed Al Suwaidi

   • Role: Senior Vice President at TECOM Group (parent company of in5).
   • Contributions: Oversees in5’s alignment with Dubai’s economic agendas (e.g., D33, Road to Net Zero). Advocates for startups as drivers of sustainable growth and Dubai’s innovation ecosystem .
   • Key Quote: “Start-ups are powerful engines of long-term economic growth that tangibly benefits future generations” .

2. Saeed Alnofeli

   • Role: Vice President of in5 Dubai.
   • Contributions: Promotes AI adoption and entrepreneurship, emphasizing Dubai’s pro-innovation frameworks .

3. Ammar Al Malik

   • Role: Managing Director of Dubai Internet City (TECOM Group).
   • Contributions: Instrumental in expanding in5 Tech’s infrastructure and fostering tech innovation .

4. Huda Buhumaid

   • Role: Chief Impact Officer at Dubai Holding.
   • Contributions: Partners with in5 for the Innovate for Tomorrow Challenge, focusing on sustainability solutions and pilot programs .

1. Amit Grover

   • Role: Managing Partner at a venture firm; member of in5’s Steering Committee.
   • Contributions: Advises startups on scaling and investment strategies .

2. Steering Committee

   • A group of 20+ industry experts guiding startups across tech, media, design, and science sectors .

1. Hosam Arab

   • Startup: Tabby (fintech, buy-now-pay-later platform).
   • Achievement: Led Tabby to unicorn status (>$1B valuation) .

2. Eddy Maroun

   • Startup: Anghami (music streaming platform).
   • Achievement: Established MENA’s leading audio streaming service .

3. Chris Darnell & Rene Morgan

   • Startup: Hayi (hyperlocal social network for neighborhoods).
   • Key Innovation: Geo-fencing technology to connect verified residents and community managers .

4. Detectiome Team

   • Startup: Detectiome (healthtech).
   • Innovation: Developed “Revonco,” an AI-powered multicancer early detection test tailored for Middle Eastern populations .

5. Unnamed Founders

   • Ziina (fintech): Raised AED 80.8M in Series A funding (2024) .
   • Podeo (podcast platform): Secured AED 19.8M in Series A funding (2024) .
   • Derq (AI transportation safety): Won AED 2.7M from the US Department of Transportation (2025) .

1. Dubai Science Park

   • Collaborates with in5 Science to incubate 35+ science-focused startups, including Neurazon Tech (neurodegenerative disease diagnostics) .

2. Global Investors

   • in5 Investor Hub connects startups with angel investors, VCs, and institutional funds (e.g., participation at Expand North Star and Step Conference) .

3. International Startups

   • Hosted startups from Luxembourg, Poland, France, and Slovenia under cross-border innovation agreements .

• Leadership & Team: Explore in5’s LinkedIn page for updates on team members and events.
• Startup Founders: Review event participation lists (e.g., Step Conference 2024, Expand North Star) for showcased startups like Grambell (AI communications) and Estaie (travel tech) .
• Mentorship Programs: Engage with in5’s Innovate for Tomorrow Challenge or Investor Hub workshops for direct access to mentors .

For specific founder or team details not listed here, consider reaching out to in5 directly via their website or attending their networking events. Let me know if you need further assistance! 🌟