Key facts
- Dubai Founders HQ has been launched as a flagship startup platform combining physical and digital infrastructure.
- The initiative aims to connect founders with investors, corporate leaders, and ecosystem partners.
- It offers access to capital, customers, corporate networks, learning, and mentorship.
- The platform is part of Dubai's D33 economic agenda, which aims to create 30 unicorns by 2033.
- Partnerships include global firms like Antler, Endeavor, and Plug and Play.
Dubai has launched Dubai Founders HQ, a new initiative designed to serve as a central hub for entrepreneurs looking to establish and scale their businesses in the emirate. Located within the 25Hours Hotel near the Dubai World Trade Centre, the platform offers a blend of physical co-working spaces and digital resources.
The initiative, spearheaded by Dubai's Crown Prince H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and developed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, aims to simplify the entrepreneurial journey. It addresses the common challenge founders face in navigating existing support systems, such as investors, accelerators, and licensing pathways, by providing a consolidated 'map' and direct connections.
Described as 'phygital,' Dubai Founders HQ integrates physical networking opportunities with a digital layer that includes a learning library, an ecosystem directory, and business setup tools. It connects founders with a network of over 25 public and private sector partners, including venture capital firms, corporations, and government entities, to provide support at every stage of growth.
This initiative aligns with Dubai's D33 economic agenda, which aims to foster significant SME growth and create 30 startups valued at over $1 billion by 2033. The success of these startups is expected to generate jobs, attract international talent, and stimulate economic activity across various sectors, including banking, logistics, and technology services.
Dubai Founders HQ is collaborating with leading global organizations such as Antler, Endeavor, and Plug and Play to deliver specialized programs. A recent pilot accelerator program, run in partnership with Plug and Play, involved 23 startups and five corporate partners, resulting in 36 proof-of-concept opportunities and several signed agreements within three months.
Officials emphasize that the platform's strength lies in its 'founder-first' approach and the power of public-private partnerships. Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, highlighted that founders need more than just funding, requiring access, speed, and the right connections, which Dubai Founders HQ aims to provide by removing friction from their journey.
The UAE's growing dominance in the MENA tech startup scene, accounting for over 51% of active startups in 2024, underscores the strategic importance of Dubai Founders HQ in consolidating this position. The platform's hands-on approach to public-sector engagement, directly connecting startups with key decision-makers, is presented as a key differentiator compared to similar initiatives in other global cities.