UAE Space Agritech Challenge: د.إ9.5M to Farm the Desert

The UAE imports 90% of its food. In a region prone to geopolitical instability, this is a national security risk. The government’s goal is to reduce that dependence by growing more food locally.

But there is a problem: the UAE is a desert. Temperatures exceed 50°C. Rainfall is less than 100mm per year. Soil is poor. Water is scarce.

The UAE Space Agritech Challenge is a bold experiment: Can we use space technology to make the desert bloom?

With grants of up to AED د.إ9.5 million (approx. $2.6M USD) per startup, this program funds companies that use satellite data, AI, robotics, and controlled-environment agriculture to grow food in extreme conditions.

This is not just about feeding the UAE. It is about exporting the technology. If you can grow food in the UAE, you can grow it in Saudi Arabia, in Jordan, in Mars. The UAE is positioning itself as the global leader in “extreme agriculture.”

Key Details at a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

Access to Satellite Data The UAE has its own Earth observation satellites (DubaiSat, KhalifaSat). As a challenge participant, you get free access to:

• Multispectral imagery (to monitor crop health).
• Thermal imaging (to detect water stress).
• Soil moisture data (to optimize irrigation).

Field Trial Sites The MBRSC has partnerships with farms across the UAE. You get access to:

• Desert greenhouses (climate-controlled environments).
• Open-field test plots (to test drought-resistant crops).
• Vertical farms (in Dubai and Abu Dhabi).

Mentorship You get paired with:

• Space scientists (who understand remote sensing and data analytics).
• Agronomists (who understand crops and soil).
• Business advisors (who help you commercialize).

Investor Access The UAE has deep-pocketed investors (sovereign wealth funds, family offices). The challenge culminates in a showcase at the Dubai Airshow, where you pitch to investors and government buyers.

Who Should Apply

This is for Agritech Startups with a space angle.

Ideal Candidates:

• The Precision Ag Startup: You use satellite data and AI to tell farmers exactly when to irrigate, fertilize, and harvest.
• The Vertical Farm: You grow leafy greens in a warehouse using hydroponics and LED lights. You want to integrate satellite data to predict demand.
• The Robotics Company: You build autonomous robots that plant, weed, and harvest crops in the desert.
• The Water Tech Startup: You have a desalination or water recycling technology. You want to integrate it with satellite-based water monitoring.

Eligibility Checklist:

• Legal Status: Must be a registered company (or willing to register in the UAE).
• Technology Readiness: Must have a working prototype (TRL 4-6).
• Space Integration: Must use space technology (satellite data, space-derived materials, or technology developed for space missions).
• Team: Must have a multidisciplinary team (space, agriculture, business).

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

I have worked with agritech startups in the Gulf. Here is how to win this challenge.

1. The “Mars Analogue” Pitch The UAE has a Mars mission (Hope Probe). They are thinking long-term about colonizing Mars. If you can frame your technology as a “Mars analogue”—i.e., “This system could grow food on Mars”—you tap into the national ambition. For example: “Our closed-loop hydroponic system recycles 99% of water, making it suitable for Mars habitats.”

2. The “Water Efficiency” Metric Water is the most precious resource in the UAE. If you can show that your system uses 90% less water than traditional agriculture, you have a winning value proposition. Use the metric “Liters per Kilogram of Produce.” Traditional farming uses 200+ liters per kg of tomatoes. If you can do it in 20 liters, you win.

3. The “Local Adaptation” Strategy Don’t just import a solution from California or Israel. Show that you understand the UAE’s unique challenges. “We tested our system in 50°C heat. We optimized it for saline groundwater. We adapted it to the UAE’s labor market (which relies on migrant workers).”

4. The “Food Security” Alignment The UAE has a National Food Security Strategy 2051. If your proposal explicitly references this strategy and shows how you contribute to the goal of “sustainable food production,” you score higher.

5. The “Dual-Use” Technology The UAE loves dual-use technology (civilian and military applications). If your agritech can also be used by the military (e.g., “Our system can grow food in remote military bases”), mention it.

Application Timeline

February-March 2025: Prototype Testing

• Action: Test your prototype in desert conditions. Collect data.
• Action: If you don’t have access to a desert, simulate it (heat lamps, saline water).

April 2025: Satellite Data Integration

• Action: Request access to UAE satellite data through the MBRSC portal.
• Action: Build the data pipeline. How will you ingest, process, and visualize the data?

May 2025: Business Model

• Action: Define your go-to-market strategy. Who are your customers? UAE government? Private farms? Export markets?
• Action: Prepare financial projections.

June 6, 2025: Submission

• Action: Submit via the MBRSC online portal.

Required Materials

• Technical Dossier: Detailed description of your technology, including performance data.
• Business Plan: Market analysis, revenue model, financial projections.
• Team Bios: CVs of key team members.
• IP Strategy: Patents filed or planned.
• Partnership Letters: From farms or research institutions willing to host trials.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

The “Closed-Loop” System The UAE is obsessed with sustainability. If your system is a “closed loop” (recycling water, composting waste, capturing CO2), you align with the national vision.

The “Scalability” Plan Show that your solution can scale. “We will start with 1 hectare in Dubai. By Year 3, we will have 100 hectares across the GCC. By Year 5, we will export the technology to North Africa.”

The “Data-Driven” Approach Use data to tell your story. “Our AI model predicted crop yield with 95% accuracy using satellite data.” “Our system reduced water use by 87% compared to the control group.” Numbers matter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring the Heat Many agritech solutions work in California but fail in the UAE. If you haven’t tested your system in extreme heat (45-50°C), you are not ready.

Underestimating Salinity UAE groundwater is highly saline. If your irrigation system cannot handle saline water, it won’t work here.

Weak Space Integration Don’t just slap “space” on your pitch. The space technology must be integral to your solution. If you can do the same thing without satellite data, you don’t belong in this challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to relocate to the UAE? Not immediately. But if you win, you are expected to establish operations in the UAE within 12 months. This can be a subsidiary or a branch office.

Can I partner with a UAE company? Yes, and it is encouraged. Partnering with a local farm or a UAE-based research institution strengthens your application.

What happens after the challenge? Winners get the grant disbursed over 12 months, tied to milestones. You also get access to follow-on funding from UAE investors.

Is this equity or non-dilutive? The grant is non-dilutive. However, if you raise VC funding later, the government may ask for a small equity stake (typically 5-10%) as a co-investor.

How to Apply

1. Visit MBRSC: Go to www.mbrsc.ae.
2. Register: Create an account in the challenge portal.
3. Submit: Upload your technical dossier, business plan, and team bios.

The desert is not a limitation. It is a laboratory. This challenge is your chance to prove that the future of food is not in the fertile plains—it is in the harshest environments on Earth (and beyond).