Why Dubai is a Great Global Launchpad for MENA Startups

Dubai undoubtedly has a vibrant digital ecosystem. It is known for its entrepreneurial spirit and start-up culture. This ecosystem is enabled by an environment that provides robust support for entrepreneurs and SMEs in various areas of innovation and technology. With over 40% of MENA’s scale-ups based in Dubai, an important aspect in the creation of this ecosystem is solid, reliable, and trustworthy funding. 

Dubai has seen significant growth in entrepreneurial activity, supported by numerous government legislation, initiatives and funds as well as the success of unicorns which have attracted more investors to the region. Delivering capital to new projects and providing business incubation is vital for the growth of the sector, and key to Dubai’s digital transformation agenda.

In the last couple of years, Dubai has attracted a higher calibre of entrepreneurs and business ideas being launched with Dubai serving as a launchpad for startups that want to expand their reach in MENA and other emerging markets across Africa and Asia. 

Dubai’s expanding start-up culture has brought in business incubators that seek to support small businesses and start-ups, creating an ideal environment for growth. From non-profit incubators to private sector companies and venture capital firms, businesses have an array of incubator programmes to choose from. 

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under Dubai Chambers, strives to capitalise on new opportunities emerging from digitalisation as well as the expansion of Fourth-IndustrialRevolution technology across all economic sectors. We aim to generate new and bold initiatives to attract digital companies to Dubai and elevate the emirate’s position as a global hub for digital businesses.

Committed to supporting the growth of Dubai’s digital economy, the Chamber advocates for the emirate’s burgeoning digital sector at every opportunity, locally, regionally and internationally. The Chamber plays an active role in engaging key stakeholders from various digital sectors to shape an environment that is truly conducive to the growth of the digital economy and the role of advanced technology in society.  

The Dubai’s Venture Capital Ecosystem report is not only evidence of the conducive environment Dubai has built for start-ups and scale-ups, it is also a testament to the emirate’s prominence as a digital business hub in the MENA region.

 

 

To get the lay of the investor landscape across Dubai and MENA, and for insights provided by the investors backing the start-ups and scale-ups that are changing the face of entrepreneurship in the region, read the report by clicking here.

 

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• Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy Publishes 2023 Venture Report; Dubai adds 64 more scale-ups in 2022