• H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, launched “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World”, aiming to strengthen the UAE’s role as a global entrepreneurship hub. The campaign is supervised by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism in collaboration with 50+ public and private entities.
• The campaign will train 10,000 Emirati entrepreneurs, incubate 250 Emirati-owned real estate companies, and integrate startups into federal procurement processes. The StartupEmirates.ae platform will offer mentorship, workspaces, networking events, and training, targeting the creation of 30,000 jobs by 2030.
• Programmes will license 500 certified Emirati tax agents, train 500 residential project managers, and prepare 50 Emirati content creators to promote entrepreneurship. SMEs currently contribute 63% of the UAE’s non-oil GDP, and this campaign aims to expand that share by enabling wider participation in the economy.

Press release:

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 new national campaign aimed at cementing the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.

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, accelerators, and strategic partners across public and private sectors. The initiative is designed to inspire a new generation of Emirati entrepreneurs, accelerate SME growth, and further diversify the national economy.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid emphasised the campaign’s mission: “Our goal is to train and nurture 10,000 Emirati entrepreneurs, create thousands of new economic opportunities, and raise community awareness on the importance of entrepreneurship as a driver of the future economy.”

The campaign includes a series of national programmes such as StartupEmirates.ae, the Entrepreneurship Training Programme, and initiatives to integrate startups into federal procurement. These programmes aim to create 30,000 jobs by 2030, incubate 250 Emirati real estate companies, and licence 500 Emirati tax agents and project managers.

By prioritising innovation and entrepreneurship, the UAE continues to lead among 56 global economies in SME support, with SMEs already contributing over 63% of the country’s non-oil GDP.