In a bold move to cement its place as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the national campaign “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World.” The wide-reaching initiative is designed to accelerate the growth of startups in the UAE, with a strong focus on empowering Emirati youth and building a future-ready, diversified economy.
The campaign will leverage the UAE’s competitive economic environment through an integrated system of platforms, initiatives, and specialised programmes. Its goal is to create a thriving, inclusive ecosystem that supports innovation, enables scalability, and unlocks the potential of emerging talent across the country.
Supervised by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in collaboration with the UAE Government Media Office and the UAE Entrepreneurship Council, the campaign unites over 50 incubators and accelerators. It also brings together strategic partners from both public and private sectors, including leading academic institutions, to nurture entrepreneurial talent and boost the national economy.
A Strategic National Vision
At the launch, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid stated: “Today, the Cabinet launched the new national campaign ‘The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World.’ The campaign brings together more than 50 entities from both the public and private sectors, with the aim of training and nurturing 10,000 Emirati entrepreneurs, creating thousands of economic opportunities, and raising community awareness on the importance of leveraging the economic momentum the country is witnessing. A series of initiatives will be introduced, with a call for all institutions to actively participate in this campaign and support its objectives.”
He further added: “The UAE is currently home to 50 business incubators spread across the country. Small and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of the national economy, contributing more than 63% of the non-oil GDP. The UAE also leads among 56 global economies in supporting SMEs and in providing the best possible environment for their growth and success.”
Digital Platforms and National Programmes
At the heart of this campaign is StartupEmirates.ae, a digital platform launched in partnership with the New Economy Academy. The platform will offer free mentorship programmes, shared workspaces, networking events, training programmes, and cross-border partnership opportunities. Its mission is to attract 10,000 entrepreneurs and generate 30,000 new jobs by 2030, positioning the UAE as a global launchpad for startups.
Among the flagship initiatives is the Entrepreneurship Programme, which aims to equip 10,000 Emiratis—men and women—with the foundational knowledge and practical skills to start and grow their businesses. The programme offers both beginner and advanced tracks, covering the entire startup journey from ideation to global expansion.
To amplify public awareness around entrepreneurship, the Specialized Content Creator Programme in Economics and Entrepreneurship will train 50 Emiratis to become influential voices in the space.
Specialized Training & New Business Opportunities
Several targeted initiatives will further support the UAE’s goal of developing a diversified, knowledge-based economy:
- The Project Management Experts Programme will train and license 500 Emiratis to manage residential construction projects, empowering them to oversee entire housing lifecycles and assist homeowners in execution and planning.
- The UAE Tax Agent Programme aims to license 500 certified Emirati tax agents over three years, through intensive training in VAT and Corporate Tax. This programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Tax Authority and the New Economy Academy.
- A real estate-focused initiative will incubate and launch 250 full-time Emirati real estate companies, supporting them to operate as licensed agencies rather than just individual brokers.
Promoting Entrepreneurship from an Early Age
The Young Entrepreneurs & Graduate Business Expo is set to take place across educational institutions nationwide in partnership with the Ministry of Education. A dedicated graduate-focused expo will also give emerging entrepreneurs a platform to pitch their business ventures to investors, potential partners, and government support bodies, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Empowering Startups in Federal Procurement
The campaign also includes a transformative step to open up federal government procurement to local startups. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance, this move aims to make federal tenders more accessible and competitive for startups, while encouraging their contribution to national innovation. It also prioritises national entrepreneurs in tenders and streamlines the procurement process, supported by training and awareness initiatives.
Building the Future of the UAE Economy
This comprehensive campaign sets the stage for a new era of Emirati entrepreneurship. By investing in talent, expanding access to support, and integrating public-private collaboration, the UAE is not only enabling new business growth but actively shaping its future economic narrative.
With “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World,” the country signals its intent to lead on the global stage—not just as a hub for trade and tourism, but as a true incubator of ideas, innovation, and impact.
