Since its official opening in October, Dubai Founders HQ has attracted nearly 500 startups and more than 1,300 entrepreneurs, including around 100 Emiratis — a remarkable achievement that underscores Dubai’s growing reputation as a global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and the digital economy.

The initiative was launched by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism in collaboration with key partners, with the aim of unifying the ecosystem that supports startups and SMEs. It is a cornerstone of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which seeks to foster business-friendly environments by connecting talent, investors, government entities, and accelerators under one roof.

During a media tour of the facility, Ahmed Al Room Al Muhairi, Acting Executive Director of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, described Dubai Founders HQ as a comprehensive platform to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.

He emphasized that the HQ is the result of a partnership between the Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, designed to bring together entrepreneurs, investors, business enablers, and government stakeholders to facilitate startup growth.

One of the key ambitions of the initiative is to support the creation of 30 unicorns — startups valued at over $1 billion — and help 400 SMEs expand into global markets.

The facility spans over 20,000 square feet and hosts a dynamic ecosystem of 25 public and private sector partners. Al Muhairi also noted that one of the main challenges facing startups is access to funding, and that the HQ is actively working to connect founders with venture capitalists and other investors to accelerate their growth and impact on the economy.

Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, highlighted the Chamber’s strategic role in co-launching the HQ. He said its mission is to support companies entering the digital economy and advanced technology sectors, while also simplifying the process of establishing and scaling businesses in Dubai.

Several entrepreneurs currently working from the HQ praised the environment for offering hands-on experience, mentorship, and direct access to investors.

Dr. Louisa Chitor, founder of FT Ventures10 — a health-tech company focused on advanced solutions for healthcare challenges — said the HQ provides an ideal ecosystem for collaboration between academics, founders, and investors in the health innovation space.

Saeeda Kamali, co-founder of SixPACk Digital and head of SixPACk Academy, said the support from Dubai Founders HQ has been crucial to refining their digital fitness rewards platform and connecting with key investors.

Ahmed Al Falasi, founder of Transpright, a logistics company utilizing automation and AI, credited the HQ with helping scale his company through strategic connections and a supportive environment.

Bodour Al Amoudi, founder and CEO of Data First Solutions, said being selected for the HQ’s accelerator program — run by the Mohammed Bin Rashid SME Foundation — helped her team evolve from a purely technical focus to a more well-rounded understanding of business strategy and market development.

Dubai Founders HQ is quickly emerging as a model of how cities can foster innovation through collaboration, and its early success reflects Dubai’s long-term commitment to building a sustainable, future-ready digital economy.