Dar Ventures and Plug and Play partner to support AEC startups

Dar Ventures, the venture capital arm of the design and engineering firm Dar, has entered a strategic partnership with the global innovation platform Plug and Play. The collaboration aims to expand the DarE program, which supports technology startups operating within the architecture, engineering, construction (AEC), and wider built-environment sectors across Africa and other emerging markets.

The 12-week hybrid program targets companies from the pre-seed to pre-Series A stages that possess a minimum viable product or are market-ready. While the primary focus is on the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions, applications are open globally. Through this partnership, DarE startups will gain access to Plug and Play’s extensive network of over 10,000 startups, 550 corporate and government partners, and 60 global offices.

This initiative comes as early-stage funding in the African tech ecosystem faces challenges. According to TechCabal Insights, while the African tech ecosystem raised $1.44 billion across 174 deals in the first half of 2026, early-stage startups received only $9 million, a significant decrease from the $25 million recorded the previous year. The program intends to support innovations in infrastructure, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, smart cities, and sustainability.