Dubai's New Programme to Turn Staff Into Startup Founders

The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) has launched the ‘Employee to Entrepreneur’ programme, designed to help employees across its zones transition into founders and grow startups in Dubai.

The initiative sits under the national campaign ‘The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World’ and aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to boost the city’s global economic ranking and double the number of companies operating in Dubai.

Through the programme, participants gain access to DIEZ infrastructure, tailored licensing packages, and business setup services. They are also supported by a suite of strategic vehicles: Oraseya Capital, DIEZ’s investment arm offering advisory and funding; SANDBOX, an accelerator for emerging tech companies; Scality, a platform for startup establishment and scaling; and Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (Dtec), one of the region’s largest tech hubs.

The journey unfolds across three phases — from idea development (market analysis and needs assessment), to planning and model building (business plans, resources, and operations), and finally launch and expansion, where teams are connected with investors and scaling opportunities.