Come build
your
idea
The future is yours to build
Bring an idea, a problem, or nothing at all. Leave with something built
A free one-day festival where you don't just hear about it, you build it. Websites, apps, brands, AI assistants and first versions, made in hands-on labs with founders and experts beside you.
Take your spot
It's free, it takes a minute, and you don't need to know what you want to build yet
We'll send your confirmation and everything you need for the day. Nothing else.
This is bigger than learning AI
Technology is changing who can build, what they can build and how quickly they can make it real
Ideas that once needed funding, specialist skills, developers, agencies or months of work can now be explored and tested by almost anyone. That changes who gets to take part.
Founder Fest is for people inside companies as much as founders. Business owners, side hustlers, students, career changers and whole teams can all come to build. Bring an idea for yourself, your employer or your community, or arrive with nothing at all.
When more people know how to use these tools, the gain is bigger than productivity. Less repetitive work. Things made that were previously out of reach. Better businesses. Real problems solved. More time for the parts of life that matter.
This technology is for everyone
The question is what will you do with it
- Start something
- Change something
- Fix something
- Create something
- Make work better
- Make life better
- Try something new
- Learn something new
What if you could build the first version today
The problem everyone complains about · The idea you keep putting off · The data you're not using · The thing your customers keep asking for · The thing you wish existed
The side hustle you keep talking about
A first business · A digital product · A community · An idea you've never had the resources to test
Build something that works while you're not
An AI assistant · A smarter customer experience · A way to qualify leads · A tool you wish existed
What could your business do differently
What could happen in minutes instead of days · What could become personalised · What your team could stop doing manually · The problem everyone has learned to live with
What problem would you love to solve
Improve healthcare · Personalise education · Use less energy · Save water · Strengthen communities · Give people back time
Bring us something
An idea · A problem · A process · A business · A question · Or absolutely nothing yet
Let's see what you can build
You don't need to arrive with a plan. You need to arrive.
- App
- Side hustle
- Website
- AI assistant
- Podcast
- New service
- Customer experience
- Online shop
- Business
- Community
- Digital product
- New revenue stream
- A better process
- Something you wish existed
One festival, many ways to take part
Founder Fest isn't a day of sitting and listening. Most of the building happens away from the stage.
Big Ideas
Short talks, founder stories and live builds on the main stage. No hour-long keynotes.
Build Labs
Hands-on sessions where you actually make something, with people who do it for a living. Bring a laptop, leave with a first version.
- Build a website in 60 minutes
- Launch your first app, no code
- Build your own AI assistant
- Create your brand in an hour
- Find your idea and a 30-day plan
- Sort the money, with AI
[Places are limited. Confirm the booking model before launch.]
Open Build
The space that runs all day. Find a desk, use the tools, ask for help, keep going. No booking, no schedule.
Quick Build Challenges
Short, energetic builds you can jump into with no preparation. Good if you're not sure where to start.
Partner Build Challenges
Real problems set by the companies here, solved by the people in the room.
Expert Clinics
One-to-one time with lawyers, accountants, business-setup experts, marketers and technologists. Real advice, no invoice.
[Confirm walk-in or booked model before launch.]
Future Market
Technology, tools, products and services you can actually use, not just look at.
Connections
Meet co-founders, collaborators and mentors through fast, curated introductions.
Less watching, more doing
Hundreds of people will build throughout the day
Full programme
Published [October 2026]
People who want to make something happen
The curious
People who want to play with the tools, change how something works, fix an annoyance or improve something at work. No business, no plan, no pitch. Curiosity is enough
Future builders
Professionals, students, creators and career changers who want to see what they could make, with or without starting a business
Side hustlers
People already earning on the side and ready to turn it into a proper business
Community builders
People building for a community, a cause, a school, a team or a neighbourhood. Not everything worth making has to be sold
Founders
Founders looking for technology, tools, expertise, partners and better ways to grow
Business builders
Business owners, leaders and teams exploring AI, technology, productivity, new revenue models and smarter ways of working
But you don't need a label
If you're curious about what you could make, change, improve or try, this is for you. You don't need a business at the end of it, and you don't need to want one
One day built around doing
Arrive and explore
Coffee, the Future Market and interactive intros. Nothing passive.
Talks, builds and clinics begin
Tracks running in parallel. Choose your own path through it.
Build, connect and get advice
Make something real and get free one-to-one time with the experts you need.
More builds, challenges and expert help
Keep going, jump into a challenge, or take the clinic slot you booked.
Leave building
Walk out with one clear next step, and the people to take it with
Speakers coming soon
We're confirming the line-up now: founders, builders, business leaders, researchers and people experimenting with what technology makes possible
First speakers announced early September 2026
Build somewhere that's already an experiment
Founder Fest takes place at SEE Institute in The Sustainable City, Dubai, a net zero carbon building in a community where new ideas get tested in the real world
See the venueGeneral admission is free
VIP is for people who want more
Front-row seating, the VIP lounge with closed-door talks and fireside chats, reserved parking at the entrance, fast-track check-in and a guaranteed expert clinic slot
AED 1,000 · Strictly limited
Explore VIPDon't just sponsor the conversation
Help people build something
Partners run builds, set challenges, let people try their technology, give expert advice and become part of what people actually make on the day
There's more than one way in
Run a clinic or mentor someone
Lawyers, accountants, marketers, technologists and business-setup experts. A few hours of your time, one-to-one with people who need it.
Offer your expertiseShow what you've built
Founders and small businesses can apply for a place in the Future Market.
Apply to exhibitJoin the crew
Volunteer on the day. Welcome people, help in the labs, keep things running.
Volunteer
The future is yours to build
You don't need a business. You don't need to code. You don't need to arrive with an idea.
Come curious, leave building
The quick questions
Is it really free
Yes. Registration is free for everyone. A limited number of VIP passes is available separately.
Do I need to know anything about AI
No. It's designed for every level, including complete beginners.
Do I need to know how to code
No.
Do I need a business already
No. Come with an idea, a side hustle or just curiosity. The labs meet you where you are.
What if I don't want to start a business at all
That's fine, and plenty of people come for exactly that reason. Fix something at work, build something for a community or a cause, or just find out what these tools can do. Nothing you make here has to be sold.
Do I need to bring an idea
No. Come curious and we'll help you find somewhere to start.
Can I come if I work for a company
Yes. Bring a problem, process or idea from work and see what you could do differently.
Should I bring a laptop
Yes if you want to build during the day. Bring a charger too.
Are Build Labs included
[Add the confirmed booking and capacity model before launch.]
How do expert clinics work
[Add the confirmed booking or walk-in model before launch.]
What's the difference between free and VIP
General admission gets you the talks, the open build space, the Future Market, clinics and the whole day. VIP adds front-row seating, the closed-door lounge, reserved parking, fast-track check-in, a guaranteed clinic slot and food and beverage across the day.
Can I bring my team
Yes. Register each person separately so we know how many to expect.
Can students attend
Yes. [Confirm minimum age and guardian policy before launch.]
Will there be food and drink
[Confirm what is included and what is available to buy.]
Where is it and where do I park
SEE Institute, The Sustainable City, Dubai. [Parking details.] Full access details come with your confirmation.
Is the venue accessible
[Confirm.] Tell us about any access needs on the registration form or email hello@founderfestdxb.com
Will it be photographed
Yes. Photography, filming and recording take place throughout the day. See our privacy, photography and terms page.
What do you expect from people on the day
Curiosity, and respect for everyone else in the room. Harassment, discrimination and aggressive selling aren't welcome and may mean being asked to leave. Anything wrong, tell any member of the team.
I registered but can't make it
Let us know at hello@founderfestdxb.com so we can offer your place to someone else.