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15 selected this year.
Applications close 30 September 2026.
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6 months
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English-speaking
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Client-backed problems
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Open to international builders
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Free to apply
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Based at Halif Docks in Bratislava
Is Hatch for me?
You don't build first and search for a client later. Your go-to-market is built in. Not hunted for.
You don't build first and search for a client later. Your go-to-market is built in. Not hunted for.
15 selected this year.
Applications close 30 September 2026.
Is Hatch for me?
-
6 months
-
English-speaking
-
Client-backed problems
-
Open to international builders
-
Free to apply
-
Based at Halif Docks in Bratislava
The most expensive thing you can build is a good product nobody needs.
Halif Hatch was built to avoid exactly that.
The proof behind the demand
Through Tahaluf, a leading UAE technology company with government and enterprise reach across the region, selected students, developers, founders, and startups are connected to actual customer needs from day one.
For some builders, that means working on a validated client problem from the Tahaluf network. For others, it means bringing their own idea, product, or startup and testing whether it can move toward a real customer or a new market.
Halif Hatch is built for solutions where technology, product thinking, market relevance, and commercial application meet.
That includes:
What Hatch Supports
Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise and digital transformation, Government and public sector solutions, Connected infrastructure and mobility, Health and education technology, Automation and operational tools, Cybersecurity and trust infrastructure, Synthetic Data and Privacy-Preserving or AI data intelligence, identity and security.
Other technology-enabled products, platforms, services, or ventures with clear market relevance.
1. The Workbench
Build against a validated client need.
We open selected problem areas to applicants. They come from real market needs and business contexts.
Start by reviewing the open problems and choosing the one where you can bring the most value. If there is a strong fit, we may invite you to the briefing, where you’ll get deeper context before preparing your submission.
2. Open Innovation
Bring your own idea, product, or startup.
This path is for people who already have something they want to build, test, grow, or take into a new market.
We support selected projects with technical capability, business direction, go-to-market logic, market access, and connections to relevant clients, partners, or investors where there is a strong fit.
Two ways to get in
Two ways to get in
That includes:
Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise and digital transformation, Government and public sector solutions, Connected infrastructure and mobility, Health and education technology, Automation and operational tools, Cybersecurity and trust infrastructure, Synthetic Data and Privacy-Preserving or AI data intelligence, identity and security.
Other technology-enabled products, platforms, services, or ventures with clear market relevance.
What Hatch Supports
Halif Hatch is built for solutions where technology, product thinking, market relevance, and commercial application meet.
Halif Hatch was built to avoid exactly that.
Through Tahaluf, a leading UAE technology company with government and enterprise reach across the region, selected students, developers, founders, and startups are connected to actual customer needs from day one.
For some builders, that means working on a validated client problem from the Tahaluf network. For others, it means bringing their own idea, product, or startup and testing whether it can move toward a real customer or a new market.
The proof behind the demand
The most expensive thing you can build is a good product nobody needs.
2. Open Innovation
Bring your own idea, product, or startup.
This path is for people who already have something they want to build, test, grow, or take into a new market.
We support selected projects with technical capability, business direction, go-to-market logic, market access, and connections to relevant clients, partners, or investors where there is a strong fit.
You keep the wheel. We help you see whether the road is real.
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1. The Workbench
Build against a validated client need.
We open selected problem areas to applicants. They come from real market needs, business contexts, and organisations looking for better ways to solve specific challenges.
You do not guess what to build. You choose what to solve.
How it works:
1. See the open problems.
2. Choose where you fit.
3. If selected, join The Briefing.
4. Build your submission with real context.
5. If chosen, build with client insight, technical support,
and expert guidance.
The Deal
What you get. What we get. No hidden favour. A clear partnership.
You don't leave with feedback. You leave with a clear commercial path.
Selected builders get access to client context, distribution potential, compute and AI infrastructure, senior engineers, experienced mentors, and workspace at Halif Dock if needed.
From there, the path depends on what proves strongest. The goal is:
distribution, a first customer, or a live partnership. If the fit is strong enough, the path may later lead to acquisition by the client it was built for, investment, company creation, or international growth support.
Selection Process
We support a limited number
of builds because real support cannot be mass-produced.
1. Apply
Choose your path:
The Workbench or Open Innovation. Tell us what you can build, what stage you are at, and what support you need.
2. Path review
We review your fit with either
a validated Workbench problem or the Open Innovation path.
3. Briefing or shortlist
Workbench applicants may be invited to the briefing for deeper context on the client problem. Open Innovation applicants may be asked for more details or supporting materials.
4. Selection conversation
We discuss the problem, solution, team, market potential, and readiness.
5. Final evaluation
We evaluate relevance, potential, timing, and fit with the available support.
6. Invitation to the Hatch
Selected projects are invited to join the next 6-month Hatch intake. Then the work begins.
Only 15 builds are selected for the next intake.
Selection Process
Only 15 builds are selected for the next intake. We support a limited number of builds because real support cannot be mass-produced.
1. Apply
Choose your path: The Workbench or Open Innovation. Tell us what you can build, what stage you are at, and what support you need.
2. Path review
We review your fit with either
a validated Workbench problem
or the Open Innovation path.
3. Briefing or shortlist
Workbench applicants may be invited to the briefing for deeper context on the client problem. Open Innovation applicants may
be asked for more details or supporting materials.
4. Selection conversation
5. Final evaluation
6. Invitation to the Hatch
We discuss the problem, solution, team, market potential, and readiness.
We evaluate relevance, potential, timing, and fit with the available support.
Selected projects are invited to join the next 6-month Hatch intake. Then the work begins.
1. Onboarding
We define the scope, outcome, support, rhythm, and milestones.
2. Bootcamp
The programme starts with an intensive bootcamp designed to bring the team together and begin working on the problem.
3. Problem alignment
We define what to build, for whom, why it matters, and what success looks like.
7. Demo Day
You present the solution to the client, selected investors, partners, and decision-makers.
4. Build and prototype
You work with technical support to turn the solution into something usable and testable.
5. Real-world testing
The solution is tested against real customer, business, or market conditions.
6. Go-to-market
Hatch supports positioning, sales narrative, customer communication, and investor preparation.
The 6-Month Hatch Journey
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Ready to build where real demand already exists?
If you have an idea worth testing, a solution worth building,
a startup ready for a new market, or the skills to build around a defined market need, this is where the next step starts.
Program period: October 2026 – March 2027
Program language: English
Applications open: 15 June 2026
Application deadline: 30 September 2026
Selected participants / builds: 15
Location: The programme is open internationally. The bootcamp takes place in person at Halif Docks in Bratislava.
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The 6-Month Hatch Journey
1. Onboarding
We define the scope, outcome, support, rhythm, and milestones.
2. Bootcamp
The programme starts with an intensive bootcamp designed to bring the team together and begin working on the problem.
3. Problem alignment
We define what to build, for whom, why it matters, and what success looks like.
7. Demo Day
You present the solution to the client, selected investors, partners, and decision-makers.
4. Build and prototype
You work with technical support to turn the solution into something usable and testable.
5. Real-world testing
The solution is tested against real customer, business, or market conditions.
6. Go-to-market
Hatch supports positioning, sales narrative, customer communication, and investor preparation.
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Ready to build where real demand already exists?
Program period: October 2026 – March 2027
Program language: English
Applications open: 26 June 2026
Application deadline: 30 September 2026
Selected participants / builds: 15 for the next intake
Location: The programme is open internationally. The bootcamp takes place in person at Halif Docks in Bratislava.
If you have an idea worth testing, a solution worth building,
a startup ready for a new market, or the skills to build around
a defined market need, this is where the next step starts.
Frequently asked questions
Most incubators start with an idea and help you look for customers later.
Halif Hatch starts with a client need.
Selected projects build around real market demand from day one, with access to client context, technical support, mentors, feedback, and the resources needed to turn the solution into a commercially relevant offer.Halif Hatch is an English-speaking program.
Because the process may involve international experts, developers, mentors, partners, or clients, selected participants should be ready to work in English.
Yes, if the idea is connected to a real problem, need, or commercial opportunity.
Hatch is not looking for random inspiration or trend-based ideas without substance. We are looking for technology-enabled solutions with clear market relevance.
If you apply through the Workbench and your profile fits a problem, we invite you to a closed-door session with the Tahaluf division head who owns it.
You get the full context, ask your questions, and leave able to build a real submission. It's how we make sure you build with the demand in full view.
Yes.
Hatch is built for technology-enabled ventures.
That includes AI, enterprise transformation, government and public sector solutions, connected infrastructure, mobility, health, education, identity, security, synthetic data, and other solutions where technology is central to the value created.
It costs nothing to apply or enter Hatch.
If you are selected, we discuss commercial terms before you commit. This may include equity at a fair, negotiated value.
Hatch is a partnership: you build with support, infrastructure, client access, and a clearer route to real customers, without raising a round just to find demand.
Yes.
One of the key advantages of Halif Hatch is that selected projects are connected to actual customer needs and real market demand from the beginning.
This helps teams build with direction instead of guessing first and searching for demand later.Selected projects may receive access to:
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technical and technological support
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developers and international development teams
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prototyping experts
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mentors and business experts
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marketing support
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sales support
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go-to-market guidance
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workspace, if needed
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client feedback
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product and business validation
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access to the Halif ecosystem
The exact support depends on the project, stage, and selected track.
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After six months, each project is evaluated based on what was built, what the market showed, and what commercial path makes the most sense.
The next step may include a distribution deal, first customer, commercial partnership, investment interest, international growth support, or, where the fit is strong enough, acquisition by the client the solution was built for.
The outcome depends on the strength of the solution, the customer need, and the commercial potential proven during Hatch.No. Halif Hatch is open to international builders.
Some key programme moments, including the bootcamp, take place in person at Halif Dock, our coworking space in Bratislava, where selected participants have free access.
You do not need to be based in Slovakia.
But you should be ready to join the moments where being in the room matters.Halif Hatch is designed for serious participation.
The exact time commitment depends on the project and its stage, but selected teams should be ready to work actively during the 6-month process.
This is not a passive mentoring program.No. Halif Hatch does not pay participants during the 6-month program. Participation is voluntary.
If your project is not selected, it does not automatically mean the idea is weak.
It may mean that the timing, current intake focus, capacity, or fit with available support is not right.
Depending on the application, some projects may be considered for a future intake.