Dubai Launches IP Clinic for Emirati Founders

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) have launched an Intellectual Property Clinic offering eligible Emirati founders one-on-one guidance on protecting and registering their intellectual property.

The initiative follows a pilot programme and will operate as an ongoing service led by DFF. Sessions are tailored to each founder’s business, brand and key differentiators, helping them identify assets that may require protection, understand trademark classes and ownership considerations, and prioritise the steps needed as their businesses grow.

“The strongest intellectual property strategies for new businesses begin before an application is even filed,” said Khalifa Al Qama, Chief of Research, Development and Innovation at Dubai Future Foundation. He added that the clinic is intended to help founders make informed decisions early and turn them into practical next steps.

The clinic forms part of the wider Dubai IP Hub agenda, which provides intellectual property guidance and resources to entrepreneurs, startups, scientists, artists, researchers and other innovators.

Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, CEO of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SMEs Development at DET, said intangible assets such as brand identity and business ideas can become some of a company’s most valuable assets, making early protection an important part of growth.

The initiative also supports Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy by 2033 and strengthen its position as an international hub for SMEs.

Eligible Emirati founders can register their interest in the one-on-one sessions through the Dubai Future Foundation website.