Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, has inaugurated Dubai Founders HQ, a flagship initiative designed to enhance Dubai's startup and small and medium enterprise (SME) ecosystem.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Dubai Founders HQ is a joint venture by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. It is the first 'phygital' platform, integrating a physical campus with a comprehensive digital ecosystem. This initiative aims to unite founders, investors, corporates, and enablers to promote collaboration, innovation, and business growth.
The platform has already attracted over 25 leading public and private sector partners spanning various sectors such as venture capital, financial services, government entities, telecommunications, and innovation hubs. This collaboration underlines its central role in Dubai's innovation ecosystem.
During a visit to the Dubai Founders HQ at the 25Hours Hotel at One Central, Dubai World Trade Centre, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the campus's significance in unifying and strengthening Dubai's entrepreneurship ecosystem. He highlighted the importance of public and private sector cooperation in empowering entrepreneurs and innovators.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan stated that entrepreneurship is considered a key driver of comprehensive and sustainable development in Dubai. The city is committed to fostering an environment that supports creativity and transforms ideas into success stories. Many startups have originated in Dubai and expanded globally, and the aim is to make the city a platform where innovative ideas can flourish.
H.H. was welcomed at the Dubai Founders HQ by several dignitaries, including Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Dubai Chambers; Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET); Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers; and Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation.
Dubai Founders HQ is a key initiative under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to scale 30 unicorns and enable 400 SMEs to grow by 2033. Through partnerships with local and global ecosystem players, it reaffirms Dubai's commitment to fostering innovation and accelerating the entrepreneurial landscape's development in strategic sectors aligned with D33.
The initiative provides a transformative approach to ecosystem-building, consolidating resources and creating a streamlined entry point for entrepreneurs. It delivers end-to-end services to founders across all growth stages and acts as the gravitational center of Dubai's innovation landscape.
Dubai Founders HQ offers essential services for entrepreneurs, including sector-specific acceleration programs, expert mentorship, investor access, and networking events. It provides tailored advisory services, innovative venture-building partners, and connections to global ecosystem players, as well as business setup and licensing support.
Omar Sultan Al Olama emphasized that the launch of Dubai Founders HQ is a significant milestone in positioning Dubai as a global hub for digital entrepreneurship. The initiative aims to create an integrated ecosystem that accelerates innovation, attracts international talent, and empowers startups to expand beyond borders.
Helal Saeed Almarri noted that the launch reflects the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and highlights Dubai's determination to build an economy driven by creativity, innovation, and global connectivity. Dubai Founders HQ will provide a launchpad for pioneering entrepreneurs who will shape high-impact businesses aligned with Dubai's future economy.
The Dubai Founders HQ campus serves as a community where founders, investors, corporates, and enablers can connect and collaborate. It features co-working spaces, event facilities, meeting rooms, and open collaboration areas, supported by curated events and workshops.
Through strategic partnerships with global ecosystem builders such as Endeavor and Plug and Play, Dubai Founders HQ will deliver growth programs designed to address startups' unique needs. These programs offer access to corporate innovation leaders, expert mentorship, and actionable insights.
Dubai Founders HQ also serves as a gateway for global startups and SMEs entering the Dubai market, offering guidance on business setup and access to key ecosystem players.
The online platform provides entrepreneurs with access to a curated learning library and a consolidated repository of the Dubai startup ecosystem. It is designed to prioritize entrepreneurs and deliver the resources, mentorship, and opportunities needed to accelerate startup growth.
Dubai Founders HQ fosters continuous collaboration among its stakeholders, enabling knowledge sharing, partnership building, and accelerated scaling, further establishing Dubai as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.