Mastercard expands Lighthouse to the UAE

Mastercard has introduced Mastercard Lighthouse 2026 in the UAE in partnership with the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office.

The startup engagement and acceleration program is aimed at linking high-potential AI and fintech startups with financial institutions, ecosystem partners and investors through Mastercard’s global network.

The company said the initiative also includes an intensive mentorship program delivered in collaboration with global industry experts.

That structure is intended to speed up the growth of participating startups while helping them build stronger routes to market.

Mastercard said the UAE program is meant to address a gap between the rapid growth of the startup ecosystem and the ability of financial institutions to adopt and scale innovation.

It provides a structured framework for startups and enterprises to work together, run pilots and commercialize AI-led products for financial services.

Focus on applied AI in financial services

The UAE edition will target AI-powered solutions across several areas.

These include agentic commerce, personalization, risk, trust, resilience, and credit access for micro, small and medium enterprises, along with other emerging fintech applications that use AI.

Mastercard said the program is built around practical use cases that can improve trust, manage risk and reinforce resilience.

The company framed that approach as part of a wider effort to support secure and meaningful innovation as AI adoption accelerates in financial services.

That backdrop is reflected in broader market data cited with the launch.

As of last year, 88% of organizations worldwide were using AI regularly, compared with 78% in 2024.

In the MENA region, where about 3,000 companies are currently active in the AI market, the sector is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 44.8% from 2024 to 2030.

Mastercard said these conditions increase the need for more structured programs that can help startups scale while enabling larger institutions to work with new technologies more effectively.

UAE digital economy ambitions

Saqr Binghalib said the initiative reflects the UAE’s commitment to developing artificial intelligence in a responsible way while strengthening security, trust and the resilience of the digital economy.

He also said the effort fits the country’s broader ambition to build its standing as a global center for artificial intelligence.

According to his remarks, the collaboration model is designed to convert innovation into long-term impact by bringing together startups, financial institutions and innovation partners to scale practical AI-driven solutions.

Mark Elliott said Mastercard Lighthouse is intended to help promising AI and fintech startups grow through stronger ecosystem collaboration, industry expertise and commercialization opportunities.

He said bringing the program to the UAE supports the country’s ambition to further strengthen its role as a hub for digital innovation.

Track record and access for startups

Mastercard Lighthouse was first launched in 2018 in the Nordic and Baltic regions as a partnership-driven platform for startups and established companies to work together on bringing innovation to market.

It has since expanded to Türkiye.

To date, Mastercard said the initiative has led to more than 300 partnerships and generated over $1.3 billion (approximately AED 4.77 billion) in investments.

It has also produced several unicorns among its 228 alumni.

Mastercard Lighthouse UAE 2026 is open to AI and fintech startups operating in the UAE.

Through access to institutions, investors, mentorship and commercialization support, the program is intended to give participants a clearer path to pilot projects and broader market adoption.

The launch adds to the UAE’s push to strengthen digital finance and innovation by connecting startups with major industry players and public-sector partners in a market where AI adoption continues to expand.