His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the launch of 'The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World', a nationwide campaign designed to aid Emirati youth and cement the UAE’s place as a leading hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.
It seeks to train and nurture 10,000 Emirati entrepreneurs, create thousands of business opportunities, and unlock the vast potential of the country’s diverse economy.
The initiative brings together more than 50 incubators, accelerators and strategic partners from both government and private sectors, supported by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, the UAE Government Media Office and the UAE Entrepreneurship Council.
A key part of the campaign is the launch of StartupEmirates.ae, a digital platform providing free mentorship, training and networking, with the goal of creating 30,000 new jobs by 2030.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the importance of small and medium enterprises, which already contribute more than 63% of the UAE’s non-oil GDP. By expanding support, the campaign aims to inspire youth to establish their own ventures and contribute to national growth, while also enhancing the UAE’s global competitiveness.