Dubai Founders HQ Launches to Strengthen Startup Ecosystem

The Dubai Founders HQ has been launched as a joint initiative by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy (DCDE) to consolidate and strengthen the emirate’s startup and SME ecosystem. 
Positioned as a first-of-its-kind phygital platform, the HQ combines a physical community campus with a comprehensive digital ecosystem that connects founders, investors, corporates, and enablers under one roof. More than 25 public and private partners have joined the initiative, which links with free zones, accelerators and incubators, offering sector-specific acceleration programmes, mentorship, investor access, tailored advisory, venture-building partnerships, curated international links, and business setup and licensing support. It also acts as a gateway for international startups entering Dubai, providing digital tools and resources for growth. “In Dubai, entrepreneurship is considered a key engine of comprehensive and sustainable development and a vital force shaping the future," said Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, at the launch at announcement. "Supporting entrepreneurs is an investment in human potential and in our society’s capacity to innovate and move confidently towards a more prosperous future. Many startups have begun their journey in Dubai and grown to reach global markets, and our aim is to make the city a platform where bold ideas can flourish and scale up.” Launched under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, the HQ advances the objective to scale 30 startups valued at over $1 billion and enable 400 SMEs to grow by 2033 through partnerships across strategic sectors.