Dar Ventures, the venture capital arm of international design and engineering firm Dar, has partnered with global innovation platform Plug and Play to expand the reach of its DarE startup programme across Africa and other growth markets. The collaboration is designed to connect early-stage technology companies with industry expertise, corporate partners, investors and international markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DarE focuses on startups developing technologies for architecture, engineering, construction and the wider built environment. Under the renewed partnership, the programme will primarily source startups from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, while remaining open to companies globally. It will target businesses from the pre-seed stage through Series A that have a working minimum viable product or market-ready solution, early market validation and potential for commercial and international growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The partnership brings together Dar Ventures\u2019 sector expertise and Plug and Play\u2019s global innovation ecosystem. For startups operating in construction and infrastructure, access to real-world industry environments can be as important as access to capital. DarE is therefore structured to help founders test their solutions against practical industry challenges while building relationships that could support commercial adoption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The programme will run for 12 weeks in a hybrid format. Selected companies will receive tailored expert support, one-on-one mentorship, direct engagement with industry professionals and curated access to investors, corporate partners and international markets. The initiative is also intended to create a global alumni community, allowing participating startups to maintain connections and pursue partnerships, investment and expansion opportunities after completing the programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The expansion comes as technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, Internet of Things systems, smart-city infrastructure and sustainability solutions increasingly influence how buildings and infrastructure are designed, constructed and operated. DarE is expected to focus on technologies that can translate these developments into practical applications across the built environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dar Ventures has already engaged with more than 100 ideas, incubated more than 30 companies and invested in 13 businesses across the built-environment value chain in less than three years. Its partnership with Plug and Play adds an international startup and corporate network to that existing industry foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plug and Play brings a network spanning more than 60 offices and hundreds of corporate and government partners, alongside experience accelerating thousands of startups. Its presence across sectors including construction, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, sustainability and smart cities provides DarE with additional channels for connecting founders to potential customers and investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For African startups, the programme could provide a pathway to combine regional opportunities with international networks. Rather than focusing solely on funding, DarE is positioning itself around market access, technical expertise and commercial validation\u2014areas that can help early-stage companies move from promising technology to deployable solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Applications for the next cohort opened on September 24, 2026, with the programme scheduled to begin in November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n