The initiative connects high-potential AI and fintech startups with leading financial institutions, ecosystem partners, and investors through a global network of technology companies, and fast-tracks their scale-up process through an intensive mentorship program run in collaboration with global industry experts.
As the financial services industry accelerates the adoption of artificial intelligence, resilience and trust are essential to ensure that innovations deliver meaningful and safe outcomes at scale. master card announced the launch of Mastercard Lighthouse 2026, a startup engagement and acceleration program, in the UAE, in partnership with the UAE Authority for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications.
The initiative connects high-potential AI and fintech startups with leading financial institutions, ecosystem partners, and investors through a global network of technology companies, and fast-tracks their scale-up process through an intensive mentorship program run in collaboration with global industry experts.
Mastercard Lighthouse UAE aims to bridge the gap between the burgeoning startup ecosystem and financial institutions’ ability to innovate and scale. The program provides a structured pathway for startups and businesses to collaborate, pilot and commercialize AI-driven solutions that increase trust, manage risk and strengthen resilience, strengthening the UAE’s position as a global hub for digital finance and innovation.
The first UAE edition of the initiative will focus on discovering promising AI-powered solutions in the areas of agent commerce and personalization, risk, trust and resilience, credit provision for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and all emerging fintechs using AI.
“This initiative reflects the UAE’s strategic commitment to advance artificial intelligence responsibly, strengthen trust, strengthen security and build a resilient digital economy for the future. It is also consistent with the UAE’s broader vision to solidify its position as a leading global hub for artificial intelligence. He added that by bringing together startups, financial institutions and innovation partners to scale practical AI-driven solutions, this collaboration is designed to turn innovation into long-term impact and sustainable value.”
– Saqr Binghalib, Executive Director, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications
“Mastercard Lighthouse is designed to help promising AI and fintech startups scale up through stronger ecosystem connections, industry expertise and commercialization opportunities. We are pleased to bring this program to the UAE and support the country’s ambitions to further strengthen its position as a global hub for digital innovation.”
– Mark Elliott, President, Eastern Arabia, Mastercard
AI adoption continues to accelerate, with 88% of organizations worldwide using the technology regularly as of last year, and 78% by 2024. In the MENA region, the AI market, which currently has around 3,000 companies operating, is expected to reach a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 44.8% between 2024 and 2030. These developments highlight the need for structured programs like Mastercard Lighthouse to help scale innovation in this space.
Mastercard Lighthouse was launched in the Nordic and Baltic region in 2018 as a partnership-driven platform designed to help start-ups and established players collaborate and bring innovation to market, and has since expanded to Turkiye. To date, the initiative has resulted in more than 300 partnerships, generated more than $1.3 billion in investments, and produced several unicorns among its 228 graduates.
Mastercard Lighthouse UAE 2026 is open to AI and fintech startups operating in the UAE.
