Dar Ventures, the venture capital arm of design and engineering firm, has partnered with Plug and Play to expand its DarE startup programme for technology companies operating across architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) and the wider built environment.
The partnership will give DarE access to Plug and Play’s global network of startups, investors and corporate partners. The programme will operate as a 12-week hybrid programme targeting pre-seed to pre-Series A startups with a minimum viable product or market-ready solution.
While the programme will primarily target companies across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, startups from other global markets will also be eligible to participate.
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The expansion comes as Africa’s technology ecosystem continues to attract investment, although early-stage funding remains limited. According to TechCabal Insights, African tech startups raised $1.44 billion across 174 deals in the first half of 2026, while early-stage companies received $9 million, down from $25 million during the same period a year earlier.
DarE will support startups developing technologies across the AEC and built-environment value chain, including construction, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, smart cities and sustainability. Selected companies will receive expert guidance, one-on-one mentorship, industry engagement and curated access to investors, corporate partners and international markets.
“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.”
Since launching DarE in 2023, Dar Ventures says the programme has supported 32 startups across four cohorts. It originally operated as a six-month incubator focused on AEC technology startups in the Middle East and North Africa, with selected companies eligible for up to $50,000 in equity-free funding.
The partnership will expand DarE beyond its original MENA focus by bringing Plug and Play’s international network into the programme. Plug and Play operates more than 60 offices, works with over 550 corporate and government partners across more than 25 industries, and has accelerated more than 10,000 startups since 2012, according to the companies.
Dar Ventures also plans to establish a global alumni community that will keep participating startups connected after each cohort, creating opportunities for commercial partnerships, knowledge exchange, investment and expansion into new markets.
“Dar is a global industry leader with deep expertise across the built environment, and we are proud to support the next chapter of DarE,” Karima El Hakim, Partner, Africa at Plug and Play, 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.”
