The UAE has launched a new national programme to support cybersecurity startups, with the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) announcing the initiative in partnership with the UAE Cyber Security Council.

The announcement was made during an event at MZN Hub Al Ain. The event was attended by Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, and Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of KFED.

The programme is being introduced under the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and the UAE Cyber Security Council. The agreement established a framework to support entrepreneurship, encourage innovation, and strengthen the country’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

Building on this partnership, the new programme has been developed in collaboration with CyberE71. It aims to support and accelerate the growth of cybersecurity startups across the UAE.

The initiative is designed to attract, develop, and support cybersecurity focused startups through a comprehensive acceleration journey. It will help entrepreneurs create innovative and scalable solutions while preparing them to seize opportunities within the UAE’s national cybersecurity ecosystem.

In addition, the programme offers an integrated support framework. Participants will receive specialised mentorship, partnership building opportunities, and access to experts, investors, and key industry stakeholders. These services are intended to help startups grow, scale, and compete in one of the world’s fastest evolving technology sectors.

The programme also reflects the ongoing collaboration between the UAE Cyber Security Council and KFED. Furthermore, the partnership with CyberE71 aims to create a supportive environment by providing specialised expertise, strategic partnerships, and growth opportunities. This will enable startups to develop innovative cybersecurity solutions and strengthen their competitiveness in local and international markets.

Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti said cybersecurity has evolved beyond being a technical field and has become a strategic driver of the digital economy. He added that it is now one of the key pillars supporting the security and sustainability of societies.

He said the UAE is working to build an integrated national ecosystem that not only protects the digital space but also empowers entrepreneurs and supports startups developing innovative cybersecurity solutions in the UAE for expansion into global markets.

According to Dr. Al Kuwaiti, the programme demonstrates how national entities can work together to accelerate the growth of cybersecurity companies and transform promising ideas into competitive businesses. He said this collaboration will strengthen the UAE’s digital readiness and reinforce its position as a regional and global hub for advanced cybersecurity technologies and solutions.

Mouza Al Nasri said the programme reflects the Khalifa Fund’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs through collaboration with strategic partners while fostering the growth of startups across multiple sectors, including cybersecurity.

She added that the initiative provides an enabling environment for developing scalable businesses and creating more opportunities to transform innovative ideas into successful ventures with sustainable economic impact.

Al Nasri also said the programme supports the diversification of the national economy by strengthening the capabilities of emerging businesses and enabling them to grow and expand. She noted that it will enhance the presence and competitiveness of Emirati companies in the cybersecurity sector while contributing to long term economic growth.

The programme is expected to help create a new generation of national companies capable of developing innovative cybersecurity solutions for local and international markets. As a result, it will strengthen the UAE’s national cybersecurity ecosystem and reinforce the country’s position as a leading regional hub for advanced technologies. Through this initiative, cybersecurity startups are expected to play a key role in driving innovation, economic growth, and the future of the UAE’s digital economy.

Related post

View all