Meta and Startupbootcamp have launched a new edition of the ‘Llama Design Drive’ in the Middle East, a three-month accelerator aimed at empowering startups in the MENA region to build next-generation agentic AI applications.
With Startupbootcamp impact on the next set of startups, think intelligent digital assistants and autonomous chatbots that solve real-world problems with minimal human input.
This initiative is anchored in Meta’s Llama models, a suite of cutting-edge, open-source multimodal large language models (LLMs). Participating startups will use these models to develop AI agents tailored to key regional sectors like healthcare, aviation, education, green mobility, retail, and public services.
“At Meta, we believe in the transformative power of open-source AI. Through Llama Design Drive, we’re co-creating it with the region’s most promising founders, building AI agents that reflect the priorities, challenges, and opportunities of the MENA region,” said Joulan Abdelkhalek, Policy Programs Manager at Meta.
The programme will culminate in the Llama Summit, where selected teams will pitch their innovations to a global audience of investors, corporate partners, and policymakers.
Agentic AI Takes Center Stage in MENA’s Digital Transformation
This year’s focus on agentic AI is no accident. Governments across the Middle East, especially in Gulf countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are investing heavily in AI-driven digital infrastructure, aiming to integrate smarter automation in services like healthcare, e-learning, and transport.
“From conversational healthcare bots to digital tutors and public service assistants, agentic AI is uniquely positioned to unlock regional potential,” said Hani Murad, CEO of Startupbootcamp.
“We’ve seen startups in our past cohorts deliver impactful solutions, and this year we’re doubling down on that vision.”
The support package for selected startups is robust: up to $25,000 in AWS compute credits, hands-on mentorship from Meta’s AI engineers, and real-world challenges co-designed with major MENA corporates. Past partners include Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Chalhoub Group, Dubai Holding, Emirates Airline, and MBC Group.
This joint push by Meta and Startupbootcamp signals more than just tech incubation it’s a long-term commitment to fostering a regionally relevant AI ecosystem that can scale globally.
As the race to develop trustworthy, locally trained AI agents intensifies, programmes like Llama Design Drive may well define the MENA region’s role in the global AI economy.
