Expert insights by Priyanka Vijayan, Director of Ventures at SEED Ventures – Seed Group and The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum
Approximately every 13 hours, or twice a day, Dubai officially welcomes a new digital startup. According to figures from the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, 485 digital startups were supported between Q1 and Q3 of 2024. While this is an approximation, it illustrates the trajectory behind Dubai’s startup ecosystem, which saw a 380% year-on-year growth.
Hence, starting a business in Dubai makes strategic sense, given that its corporate environment is deemed among the most dynamic worldwide. Undoubtedly, the UAE’s progressive regulations play a large part in this development, which has created a secure and innovative environment for startups across disciplines.
As a Director of Ventures at SEED Ventures — a division of Seed Group, a company of The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum — I have seen first-hand how this ecosystem has matured over time. In this article, I will outline the factors driving Dubai’s startup growth, the industries on the rise, and the key institutions that make the emirate an international capital for entrepreneurs.
Dubai is experiencing a boost in global wealth migration, drawing high-net-worth individuals and millionaires, especially from the cryptocurrency and technology sectors. Henley & Partners reports that the UAE is expected to see a net gain of 9,800 millionaires in 2025, bringing in about $63 billion (AED230 billion) in private wealth — the highest figure worldwide. Much of this wealth is linked to tech-based industries like crypto, with Dubai ranking 5th globally for cryptocurrency millionaire migration.
From my professional experience, I have seen how this influx of wealth is changing the landscape in Dubai. Wealthy investors are expanding the pool of angel funding, venture capital, and early-stage support for driven founders. Importantly, this growth is helping large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (which make up 63% of the UAE’s non-oil GDP).
The rise of wealth migration goes hand in hand with the emirate’s broader appeal as a destination for entrepreneurship. With 987 active startups across fields and projects a 33.4% growth rate in 2025 (StartupBlink), the city offers fertile ground for scaling innovative ventures.
The emirate’s startup scene is diverse, but certain industries are clearly leading in funding, growth, and traction more than others. Entrepreneurs exploring how to start a business in Dubai should consider aligning with these fast-growing sectors.
Fintech has consistently been the leading vertical, accounting for over 30% of startup funding in the emirate and exceeding $1.26 billion (AED4 billion) since 2017. The Dubai International Financial Centre now hosts 7,700, a 25% YoY rise from H1 2024. Between January and June 2025, 1,081 new companies registered with DIFC, a 32% YoY boost. These figures show the strength of Dubai’s business environment and the size of its startup community.
Nonetheless, it’s worth highlighting a case wherein a startup has significantly grown in Dubai. Qashio, a local B2B spend management platform, raised AED72 million ($19 million) in early 2025 after achieving profitability.
Backed by global VC funds like Rocketship, it has expanded into Saudi Arabia and Europe. Its success illustrates how the Dubai business environment enables fintech scale-ups to regionalise and globalise quickly.
Dubai’s e-commerce market surged to AED32 billion ($8.70 billion) in 2024, with mobile-driven transactions and digital wallets making up more than half of purchases. Supported by world-class logistics infrastructure and free zones like Meydan Free Zone, this sector continues to thrive.
Within this case, it’s of course vital to highlight the success story Noon.com. Founded in Dubai and backed by Emaar’s Mohamed Alabbar, Noon is one of the Middle East’s largest digital retailers. Its rise showcases how Dubai’s logistics ecosystem, supportive regulations, and strategic location enable e-commerce ventures to scale rapidly and capture regional consumer markets.
Other promising industries include health-tech, AI, renewable energy, and property technology, where policy frameworks and business incentives in Dubai actively encourage innovation.
Taking part in exhibitions and conferences is largely important for the growth of any startup in Dubai. GITEX, a major global technology event, brings together more than 180,000 people from 180 countries. For these young companies, obtaining the stage to pitch at the annual expo can open up opportunities that would otherwise take years to achieve through cold outreach. GITEX also features several well-known co-located events, including Fintech Surge and Expand North Star.
Fintech Surge stands as MENA’s premier fintech convention. Last year, I supported the participation of DKK Partners (DKK Digital FZE), a UK-founded foreign exchange liquidity provider. Through its collaboration with Seed Group, DKK used the platform to highlight its cross-border trade and liquidity solutions.
At the same time, CEO Khalid Talukder and CTO Zain Abbas led sessions focused on stablecoins and FX innovation. Their experiences showed how quickly a company can gain visibility and regional traction by joining the right ecosystem.
In addition to Fintech Surge, Expand North Star is celebrating its 10th edition this year at Dubai Harbour. This event has grown into the region’s largest startup gathering, drawing global investors, accelerators, and policymakers into one platform. Its impact is evident in the companies that have scaled after showcasing there:
These corporate events add substantial value due to their multiplier effect. Meetings at exhibitions frequently become regional pilots, global partnerships, or even major funding rounds. If you’re still considering how to start a business in Dubai, be sure to regard these gatherings as launchpads into the global market.
As such, when young founders ask me how to start a business in Dubai, my advice is simple: show up, pitch with confidence, and use these events to spark the partnerships that will shape their growth.
While headline events boost visibility, Dubai’s startup ecosystem is sustained by year-round support. For early-stage founders, accelerators, venture capital firms, and government-led initiatives form the backbone of this infrastructure.
Take venture capital firms, for example, which are doubling down on high-growth sectors. Disrupt.com recently launched a $100 million (AED360 million) AI-focused fund. According to an official report released in February, the funding would support AI firms developing solutions for cybersecurity, Web3, the retail industry, and automotive technology, among other fields. For founders, this investment highlights the presence of strategic backers actively seeking the next breakthrough.
In terms of programs supported by the government, let’s take Reach Middle East as an example. Recently launched accelerator by the Dubai Land Department in partnership with Second Century Ventures, it focuses on scaling real estate and construction startups across the region. The project provides up to $250,000 (AED 918,000) in seed capital, mentorship from global proptech leaders, and access to an alumni network of more than 330 companies.
Similarly, the Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy have teamed up with Plug and Play to launch a three-month accelerator for startups that have already started generating revenue. The program targets companies in fintech, trade and logistics, and digital connectivity. It offers mentorship, helps firms connect with corporations, and introduces them to potential investors.
Partners like DHL, du, and Visa will also explore new technologies through this effort. This initiative supports Dubai’s D33 economic agenda, which aims to double the city’s economy, create 30 unicorns, and establish Dubai as a hub for digital innovation by 2033.
There’s also the DIEZ Employee-to-Entrepreneur initiative. It enables corporate professionals to transition into founders by providing funding, infrastructure, and advisory support. This broadens Dubai’s founder pipeline beyond traditional entrepreneurs and signals a deliberate effort to diversify the innovation base.
On top of strong funding and infrastructure, the UAE’s forward-thinking rules are appealing to new businesses. Clear licensing and regulations for tech and AI enable firms to grow responsibly while meeting international compliance standards.
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre launched the DMCC Wealth Hub in September to help family offices, private investors, and financial firms set up or grow in the UAE. The initiative provides regulatory clarity, customised licenses, and expert advisory services.
The Wealth Hub’s launch is timely, as family offices in the emirate currently manage over $1 trillion (AED3.60 trillion) in assets, a figure projected to climb by more than 50% by 2030. Acting as a single entry point into Dubai’s private capital environment, the hub offers licenses for Single and Multi-Family Offices, Special Purpose Vehicles, and Holding Companies. Additionally, it provides direct access to legal, tax, and fiduciary experts and integrates with DMCC’s Tradeflow platform for secure asset registration and financing.
Alongside the above initiatives, SEED Ventures, part of Seed Group, serves an integral function in connecting global business ambitions with the UAE market. Over the past few years, I have focused on guiding startups and multinational firms through business development, market entry, and capital-raising strategies.
Operating under The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, Seed Group has spent over two decades establishing strategic alliances with global industry leaders. Its approach facilitates partnerships that enable international entrepreneurs to start businesses in Dubai and the UAE. It also helps innovators access the Group’s network and resources, while supporting established companies as they scale into the Middle East.
Ultimately, seed-stage ventures fuel every vibrant ecosystem. Dubai has deliberately cultivated the incentives, infrastructure, and investor confidence to ensure these early-stage businesses prosper.
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