His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched Dubai Founders HQ, a groundbreaking ‘phygital’ platform designed to consolidate and strengthen the city’s startup and SME ecosystem. The initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs and position Dubai as a global innovation hub.
In a significant milestone for Dubai’s economic innovation, the Crown Prince of Dubai officially opened Dubai Founders HQ, a comprehensive platform that bridges physical and digital resources for entrepreneurs. Located in the 25Hours Hotel at One Central, Dubai World Trade Centre, the initiative is a joint effort by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.
The platform brings together more than 25 leading public and private sector partners, creating a unified ecosystem for founders, investors, and innovators. Key objectives include scaling 30 unicorn startups and enabling 400 SMEs to grow by 2033, as part of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
“In Dubai, entrepreneurship is considered a key engine of comprehensive and sustainable development,” said Sheikh Hamdan, emphasizing the initiative’s importance.
Dubai Founders HQ offers entrepreneurs comprehensive support, including:
The Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Omar Sultan Al Olama, highlighted the platform’s significance: “This initiative reflects our commitment to creating an integrated and founder-focused ecosystem that accelerates innovation and attracts international talent.”
With its innovative hub-and-spoke model, Dubai Founders HQ aims to serve as the gravitational centre of Dubai’s innovation landscape, seamlessly connecting with free zones, accelerators, and incubators across the city.
