The initiative, developed jointly by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, integrates a physical innovation campus with a digital infrastructure for entrepreneurs, investors and enablers to meet and collaborate. More than 25 public and private sector partners have already committed to the platform.
Under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 framework, the new hub aims to facilitate the creation of 30 unicorns and support 400 SMEs by 2033, as part of a strategic push to deepen Dubai’s position as a global innovation centre. Sheikh Hamdan described entrepreneurship as “a key engine of comprehensive and sustainable development,” affirming that the initiative reflects the city’s commitment to transform ideas into scalable enterprises.
Located at the 25Hours Hotel in One Central, Dubai World Trade Centre, the campus will serve as a central node in the emirate’s hub-and-spoke model linking free zones, incubators and accelerators. The physical facilities include coworking areas, event and meeting spaces, and collaborative zones designed to foster interaction and knowledge exchange.
On the digital side, the platform will offer a centralized repository of startup data, ecosystem mapping tools, matchmaking algorithms and a learning library tailored for founders. It also aims to streamline business setup, licensing, investor access and mentoring services.
His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, said the launch marks a defining milestone in positioning Dubai as a global hub for digital entrepreneurship. He emphasized that uniting ecosystem actors is critical to attracting international talent and boosting cross-border scalability.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Department of Economy and Tourism, noted that Dubai Founders HQ is rooted in the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and supports the city’s shift toward an innovation-driven economy. He said this centralised model will offer entrepreneurs “unparalleled access to expertise and support” while enabling partners to tap early into high-growth ventures.
The platform’s growth programmes will involve collaborations with global ecosystem operators, including accelerate-with partners such as Endeavor and Plug and Play. These programmes will be sector-specific and aim to deliver tailored mentorship, corporate linkages, and venture building support.
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