Dtec SANDBOX is a five-month startup programme at Dubai Silicon Oasis. It invests $150,000 in the pre-seed and seed-stage tech startups that reach its second phase. The money comes from Oraseya Capital, the venture fund of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ).
Applying is free. You need at least an MVP, one founder working full-time, and main founders based in the UAE.
This guide explains how the $150,000 is structured, why getting into SANDBOX is not the same as getting funded, and what to prepare before you apply.
Dtec SANDBOX in 30 Seconds
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | SANDBOX by Oraseya Capital (DIEZ's venture fund) |
| Location | Dtec, Dubai Silicon Oasis, in person |
| Stage | MVP to seed |
| Duration | 5 months: 8-week Phase 1 + 12-week Phase 2 |
| Investment | $150,000 via SAFE for Phase 2 startups only ($110,000 cash + $40,000 programme fee) |
| Cost to apply | Free |
| Key requirements | MVP, at least one full-time founder, main founders in the UAE |
| Track record | 7,500+ applications and 100+ startups across 8 cohorts |
| Current intake | Official site lists a Q3 2026 start, with applications closing September 2026 |
The investment terms, cohort size and intake dates above come from the official SANDBOX website, checked on 26 September 2026.
Is Dtec SANDBOX the Same as Oraseya Capital SANDBOX?
Yes. Dubai Silicon Oasis launched SANDBOX in October 2021 as a Dtec programme, backed by Dtec Ventures. DIEZ launched Oraseya Capital as its venture fund in November 2023, and SANDBOX became part of it. The programme still runs in person at Dtec, the Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus.
The programme structure has changed over time. Older Dtec pages and 2021–2022 articles describe the original model: 12 months, six pillars and a discounted AED 9,500 company setup. From the fourth cohort, with applications closing in December 2023, SANDBOX was revamped into a five-month, two-phase, investment-focused programme. Current Oraseya materials also list nine pillars.
If you find conflicting details online, rely on the current information from Oraseya Capital rather than older Dtec pages.
One more mix-up to avoid: SANDBOX is not a regulatory sandbox. Regulatory sandboxes, such as the UAE's RegLab, let companies test products under temporary licences. SANDBOX is an investment programme. We cover the regulatory kind in our guide to regulatory sandboxes in Dubai.
Who Can Apply to SANDBOX?
The official SANDBOX FAQ sets out the core requirements:
- A tech startup. Beyond that, the programme is sector-agnostic.
- At least an MVP. It doesn't need to be commercially live yet.
- At least one full-time founder, ideally the CEO. Two full-time founders is strongly preferred.
- Main founders based in the UAE, because the programme runs in person in Dubai.
The Selection Committee also looks for a scalable business model and defensible technology.
Grey Areas the FAQ Covers
- Founders outside the UAE. International applications are reviewed case by case. You need a strategic reason to expand to the UAE, and the founders must relocate to Dubai for at least the length of the programme.
- Already raised money. You can still apply. Many participants have raised from friends and family, angels or early-stage VCs. Startups closer to Series A are directed to pitch Oraseya Capital directly.
- Joining another accelerator. Allowed, though the programme warns that content may overlap and time commitments may clash.
- Rejected before. You can reapply after at least four months.
Who Is SANDBOX Best Suited To?
Based on the published criteria and structure, SANDBOX fits a startup that:
- You only have an idea and no MVP
- No founder can commit full-time
- You can't spend the programme period in Dubai
- You are looking for a grant rather than equity-linked investment
- You are already approaching Series A
How the SANDBOX Programme Works
Application → Screening call → Selection Committee → Introductory Week → Phase 1 → Investment Committee → Phase 2 → Demo Day
| Stage | Length | What Happens | Equity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application | Rolling review | Online form; you're emailed if your status changes | None |
| Screening call | About 30 minutes | Video call where you pitch, share your screen and introduce the team | None |
| Selection Committee | One pitch | Shortlisted startups are invited by email and sign an enrolment agreement | None |
| Introductory Week | 1 week | Intensive workshops, meeting mentors, 360° diagnostics, setting KPIs (mandatory) | None |
| Phase 1: Diagnostics | 8 weeks | Product-market fit, positioning and building; diagnostics are mandatory | None |
| Investment Committee | End of Phase 1 | Every startup pitches; only shortlisted startups move on | None |
| Phase 2: Sprints | 12 weeks | Investor readiness, commercialisation and growth; all sessions mandatory | SAFE signed |
| Demo Day | End of Phase 2 | Pitch to regional and international investors | None |
What the $150,000 Investment Means
According to the official SANDBOX site, startups shortlisted into Phase 2 receive $150,000 from Oraseya Capital via a SAFE note agreement. That total is made up of $110,000 in cash plus a $40,000 programme fee.
The programme fee is included in the SAFE rather than charged as a separate cash payment. So the cash reaching your company is $110,000, while the SAFE amount that later converts into equity is $150,000.
The SAFE's valuation cap and discount are not published on the programme's public pages. Those terms decide how much equity the $150,000 converts into at your next priced round.
Before signing, ask for the full SAFE terms in writing. Model the dilution next to any other offers you have. How much the deal is worth to you depends on how you value the mentoring, investor access and partner benefits against that dilution.
What Participants Get
Per the official site and FAQ:
- Capital. $110,000 cash for Phase 2 startups, plus consideration for Oraseya follow-on funding as alumni.
- 1:1 expert hours. Credit hours with vetted experts across the nine pillars. They can advise you or deliver work, such as design, ads or copywriting.
- Legal support. $3,000 of credit with a startup-focused law firm, plus workshops, weekly office hours and templates.
- Partner credits. Over $1 million in perks from partners including AWS, Stripe, HubSpot and Microsoft.
- Workspace at Dtec for you and your team.
- Investor exposure. VC breakfasts, investor introductions, Demo Day and showcases at events such as GITEX.
- Wellness. One of the nine pillars focuses on founder wellbeing and performance.
Not included: visas, housing and a business licence. SANDBOX connects you with the teams that handle these, and its partner lawyers advise on legal structure.
Licence, Visa and Other Costs
SANDBOX doesn't require a particular licence. If you already hold a valid UAE residency visa, the FAQ says you don't need to transfer it.
If you do need a company, a Dtec licence is the natural fit given the location. Dtec's FAQ says a flexi desk allows up to 2 visas and a fixed desk up to 3. Hot desk members must use their desk at least 36 hours a month, or DIEZ can cancel the licence and lease. The subsidised licence rate applies for up to five years.
Dtec doesn't publish its package prices in the FAQ, so ask Dtec directly for a current quote.
Beyond licence and visas, budget for living costs in Dubai for the full five months, especially if you are relocating.
SANDBOX Compared with Other Dubai Startup Programmes
| Programme | Target Stage | Funding | Equity | Duration | UAE Presence | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SANDBOX (Oraseya Capital) | MVP to seed | $150,000 SAFE for Phase 2 ($110,000 cash) | SAFE, Phase 2 only | 5 months | Main founders in UAE | Investor readiness and fundraising |
| Antler Residency | Pre-idea to pre-seed | $180,000 SAFE (Antler MENAP terms) | 11% | Multi-week residency | In person in Dubai | Co-founder matching and company formation |
| Dubai Founders HQ Accelerator | Post-revenue | Not published | Not published | About 100 days | Dubai-based | Corporate pilots and proofs of concept |
| Dtec membership | Any tech startup | None | None | Ongoing | Dtec licence holders | Workspace, licence and community |
In short, SANDBOX sits between Antler and the Dubai Founders HQ accelerator. It suits companies with a product but not yet a corporate sales pipeline.
How to Apply to Dtec SANDBOX: Step by Step
What to Prepare Before Applying
The Selection Committee looks for exceptional founders, scalable business models and defensible technology. Prepare evidence for each area below before you start the form.
Product
- A live demo, or screenshots and a short walkthrough video of your MVP
- A one-line statement of the problem and who has it
- Honest product status: what works today, what's in beta, and what's next
Traction
- Users, paying customers or revenue, with dates
- Pilots, letters of intent or waitlist numbers if you're pre-revenue
- Retention or repeat usage, which often convinces more than sign-up totals
- Month-on-month growth for your key metric
Team
- Each founder's role and relevant background
- Who is full-time, and since when
- Who builds the technology, in-house or outsourced
- Where each founder is based, and your UAE residency status or relocation plan
Market
- Your target customer, described specifically
- Market size, with the source for each number
- Main competitors and why customers would choose you
- Why the UAE: your customers here, your expansion logic, or regional reach
Fundraising
- Money raised so far, from whom, and on what instruments
- Current monthly burn and runway
- What you would do with $110,000 of cash over the next 12 months
Pitch Deck
- 10–15 slides covering problem, solution, traction, team, market, competition, defensibility, business model and the ask
- A short founder story: why you, and why now
- A clear answer to "why SANDBOX?" that shows you understand the two-phase structure
Common SANDBOX Application Mistakes
- Applying at idea stage. An MVP is a stated requirement. Build a working prototype or beta first.
- Treating Phase 1 as funded. Entry is not investment. Plan your runway assuming the Phase 2 investment may not come.
- No full-time founder. At least one founder must be full-time. Make that commitment before applying, not after acceptance.
- Comparing headline numbers. When weighing SANDBOX against other offers, compare the $110,000 cash and the SAFE terms, not just the $150,000 figure.
- Vague traction. Replace claims like "growing fast" with dated numbers: active users, paid pilots, monthly revenue.
- Underestimating Phase 1. Introductory Week and the Phase 1 diagnostics are mandatory, and Phase 1 ends with the Investment Committee decision. Treat attendance and participation as part of the selection process.
- Reapplying unchanged. If you're rejected, wait at least four months and show clear progress in the new application.
Where SANDBOX Fits in Dubai's Startup Ecosystem
Dtec is part of Dubai Silicon Oasis, which falls under DIEZ. DIEZ also owns Oraseya Capital, which invests from pre-seed to Series B. That means SANDBOX alumni have a potential follow-on investor already connected to the programme.
Oraseya reported investing in 15 startups in the first half of 2026. Read our profile of Oraseya Capital for its fund, portfolio and how to pitch it directly.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dtec SANDBOX free to join?
Yes. Applying and joining cost nothing. The $40,000 programme fee applies only to startups that reach Phase 2, and it is included in the $150,000 SAFE rather than paid in cash.
How much does SANDBOX invest?
$150,000 per Phase 2 startup from Oraseya Capital, via a SAFE made up of $110,000 cash and a $40,000 programme fee.
Does SANDBOX guarantee the $150,000 investment?
Does SANDBOX take equity?
Can foreign founders apply to SANDBOX?
Does SANDBOX include a business licence or visa?
Where is SANDBOX held?
How long is the SANDBOX programme?
Five months: an 8-week diagnostics phase, then a 12-week sprint phase ending with Demo Day.
Is Dtec SANDBOX the same as a regulatory sandbox?
No. SANDBOX is an investment programme. Regulatory sandboxes, such as the UAE’s RegLab, let companies test new products under temporary licences.
Final takeaway
SANDBOX suits UAE-based tech founders with a working MVP who want capital and structured preparation for their next round.
Treat it as two decisions. The first is getting in, which is free and equity-free. The second is earning the Phase 2 investment, which comes with $110,000 in cash and a SAFE worth checking carefully.
If you meet the requirements, prepare your evidence using the checklist above and apply through the official site. If you’re still at idea stage, start with our guide to pre-seed funding in Dubai.
