Dubai, August 12 (WAM) - The Artificial Intelligence Office in collaboration with the Mastercard Global Center for Advanced AI and Cyber Technology in Dubai has announced the selection of six artificial intelligence startups to move on to the next stage of the first edition of the "Mastercard Lighthouse" program in the UAE aimed at accelerating their growth and enhancing their readiness to expand and compete in global markets.

The list of selected companies includes Loyal, Neoforge Technologies, NodeShift, Polynom, Valor AI, and Zype AI. All are participating in an intensive four-month mentorship program supervised by global experts to develop their solutions and enhance opportunities for collaboration with financial institutions, investors, and business partners.

Dr. Abdul Rahman Al Mahmoud, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Office, emphasized that investing in startups specializing in artificial intelligence is a direct investment in the future economy, noting that the program provides an ecosystem that helps promising companies develop their solutions, accelerate growth, and enhance their ability to compete globally.

The program had previously seen 14 companies reach the final stage before selecting six based on criteria including innovation, team efficiency, business models, scalability, and global growth potential.

It is worth noting that the program launched in the UAE in May 2026. Since its global launch in 2018, it has contributed to building more than 300 partnerships, attracting investments exceeding $1.3 billion, and supporting 228 startups.