His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has launched “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World”, a campaign aimed at cementing the UAE’s status as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Supervised by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in partnership with the UAE Government Media Office and the UAE Entrepreneurship Council, the campaign unites more than 50 incubators and accelerators alongside national institutions, universities, and public and private sector partners.
Sheikh Mohammed said the initiative will train and nurture 10,000 Emirati entrepreneurs, create thousands of opportunities, and build awareness of entrepreneurship’s role in driving the economy. “The UAE is home to 50 business incubators. Short and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) already contribute 63 percent of non-oil GDP, and the UAE leads among 56 global economies in supporting SMEs. This campaign will expand opportunities and ensure our young people can seize them,” he said.
At the core of the campaign is StartupEmirates.ae, a digital platform launched with the New Economy Academy. It will connect entrepreneurs with mentorship, training, networking, and cross-border partnerships. The platform aims to attract 10,000 entrepreneurs and create 30,000 new jobs by 2030.
Other initiatives include: An entrepreneurship programme for 10,000 Emiratis with beginner and advanced tracks; a content creator programme to train 50 Emiratis in economics and entrepreneurship, a project management initiative to license 500 Emiratis in residential construction and a tax agent programme to qualify 500 Emiratis as licensed tax professionals in partnership with the Federal Tax Authority.
The campaign will also incubate 250 Emirati-owned real estate companies to operate as licensed agencies. A Young Entrepreneurs and Graduate Business Expo, in partnership with the Ministries of Education and Higher Education, will promote entrepreneurship among students and showcase projects to investors. Startups will also gain easier access to federal procurement, with reforms designed to prioritise national entrepreneurs in tenders and streamline processes.
Officials say the campaign will strengthen the UAE’s role as a bridge for global capital flows and a launchpad for startups seeking scale.
UPDATE: Younis Haji AlKhoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance said on Monday: “The national campaign ‘The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World’ represents a milestone in empowering entrepreneurship and national projects, enhancing their role in the economy.
He added: “We at the Ministry view this campaign as a strategic platform that strengthens the integration between government policies and national programmes, through broad partnerships with government, private, and academic entities. This will provide Emirati youth and innovators with greater opportunities for training, financing, and presenting innovative solutions that contribute to the development of various economic sectors. We also believe that investment in entrepreneurship is a direct investment in the country’s future and its competitiveness at regional and international levels.”
Mariam Mohammed Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Government Financial Management Sector at the Ministry of Finance added: “This pioneering initiative affirms that entrepreneurship is a strategic approach that supports economic diversification and ensures long-term sustainability, while cementing the UAE’s position as a global destination for talent, innovators, and entrepreneurs—empowering creative ideas to become impactful success stories both locally and globally.”
The Ministry’s participation in this campaign comes through collaboration with government, private, and academic entities, which together contribute to creating an inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem, offering expanded opportunities for training, financing, and mentorship—ultimately boosting the contribution of startups to the country’s non-oil GDP. – WAM
