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Dar Ventures, the venture capital arm of design and engineering firm Dar, has partnered with Plug and Play, a global open innovation and early-stage venture platform, to expand its startup programme for technology companies operating across architecture, engineering, construction and the wider built environment.
The partnership will give DarE access to Plug and Play’s international network of startups, investors and corporate partners, broadening the programme beyond its original Middle East and North Africa (MENA) focus.
The 12-week hybrid programme will target pre-seed to pre-Series A startups with a minimum viable product (MVP) or market-ready solution. While the programme will primarily focus on companies across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, it will remain open to startups globally.
DarE targets built-environment technology
DarE will support companies developing technologies across the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector and the wider built-environment value chain.
Its areas of focus will include construction, infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities and sustainability.
The programme is designed for startups that have demonstrated early market validation and show potential for commercial adoption and expansion into international markets.
Selected companies will receive expert support, one-on-one mentorship and direct engagement with industry stakeholders. They will also gain curated access to investors, corporate partners and international markets.
Dar Ventures said the programme will establish a global alumni community that keeps participating startups connected beyond individual cohorts, creating opportunities for commercial partnerships, knowledge sharing, investment and cross-market expansion.
“DarE has always been about providing the right platform for entrepreneurs to thrive,” Nader Aboushadi, co-founder of Dar Ventures, said in a statement.
“Partnering with Plug and Play allows us to take that ambition to the next level, identifying exceptional founders and giving them access to the expertise and markets, coupled with Dar Ventures projects and capital they need to grow.”
Africa’s early-stage funding gap
The expansion comes as African startups continue to face a challenging funding environment, particularly at the early stages of development.
Africa’s technology ecosystem raised $1.44 billion across 174 deals during the first half of 2026, while early-stage startups received just $9 million, down from $25 million during the same period a year earlier, according to TechCabal Insights.
For startups developing specialised technologies for sectors such as construction, infrastructure and the broader built environment, access to industry expertise, potential customers, capital and international markets can provide additional pathways to commercial growth.
Dar Ventures said the expanded DarE programme is intended to bridge some of these gaps by connecting founders directly with industry and investment networks.
From MENA incubator to global programme
Dar Ventures launched DarE in 2023 as a six-month incubator focused on AEC technology startups in the MENA region.
Since its launch, the programme has supported 32 startups across four cohorts, connecting founders with industry expertise, commercial opportunities and investment networks. Selected startups were also eligible for up to $50,000 in equity-free funding.
The partnership with Plug and Play will shift the programme towards a 12-week hybrid model and expand its geographical reach beyond its original MENA focus.
Dar Ventures said Plug and Play will contribute a global network spanning more than 60 offices, 550 corporate and government partners across more than 25 industries, and more than 10,000 startups accelerated since 2012.
The expanded network is expected to give DarE participants greater access to corporate customers, investors and international markets while connecting built-environment startups with potential commercial partners.
Plug and Play brings global innovation network
The partnership also positions DarE within a broader global innovation and venture ecosystem, allowing startups to engage with companies and institutions beyond their home markets.
Karima El Hakim, Partner, Africa at Plug and Play, said the collaboration would combine Dar’s sector expertise with Plug and Play’s international innovation network.
“Dar is a global industry leader with deep expertise across the built environment, and we are proud to support the next chapter of DarE,” El Hakim said.
“By bringing Plug and Play’s global innovation, venture, and corporate ecosystem to the platform, we aim to connect founders with industry, accelerate commercial adoption, and support technologies shaping how the world is built.”
The expanded programme reflects growing efforts to connect specialised African technology startups with industry expertise and international capital, particularly in sectors where technical knowledge, commercial access and established industry relationships can be critical to scaling.
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