{"id":104051,"date":"2026-01-23T10:30:06","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T06:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/?p=104051"},"modified":"2026-01-23T10:30:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T06:30:08","slug":"dubai-digital-startups-surge-40-in-2025-says-chamber","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/dubai-digital-startups-surge-40-in-2025-says-chamber\/","title":{"rendered":"Dubai Digital Startups Surge 40% in 2025, Says Chamber"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy<\/a> announced that it supported the establishment and expansion of 1,690 digital startups in Dubai during 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This marks a 39.7% increase compared to 2024. It also highlights the chamber\u2019s growing role in strengthening Dubai\u2019s position as a preferred global destination for digital companies and entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, Dubai continues to attract founders, investors, and technology-driven businesses from around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the chamber, companies specialising in artificial intelligence<\/a> made up around 15% of the supported businesses. Meanwhile, fintech enterprises accounted for 12%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, startups focused on mobility technology, software-as-a-service (SaaS), and e-commerce represented a combined 20% of the total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, global companies formed 75% of all supported firms in 2025. This reflects Dubai\u2019s strong international appeal within the digital economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, in October 2024, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched Dubai Founders HQ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initiative aims to strengthen Dubai\u2019s startup and SME ecosystem. It was introduced as a joint effort between the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notably, Dubai Founders HQ is a \u2018phygital\u2019 platform. It combines a physical campus with a digital ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, founders, investors, corporates, and enablers can collaborate under one roof. This supports innovation, networking, and business growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, reaffirmed the government\u2019s commitment to digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stated that Dubai aims to build a fully integrated digital economy. This includes advanced infrastructure, agile legislation, and a pro-innovation business environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, he said the chamber is focused on helping digital companies scale from Dubai. This is achieved by providing regulation support, infrastructure, and market access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, Dubai continues to enhance its competitiveness. It also attracts global investment and top technology talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy operates the \u2018Business in Dubai\u2019 platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The platform offers corporate services in partnership with trusted organisations. It also provides business matchmaking support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, companies can find suitable partners, investors, and customers more efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During 2025, 48% of assisted companies received support with business set-up services. They also gained access to accelerators and incubators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, 31% benefited from wider business support services available through the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, in April 2025, Sheikh Hamdan honoured winners of the Create Apps Championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programme forms part of the \u2018Create Apps in Dubai\u2019 initiative launched in March 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its main goal is to accelerate innovation in smart application development. It also supports Dubai\u2019s ambition to become a global digital hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since its launch, the championship has received more than 5,800 registrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, it has supported the development of over 55 smart applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In November 2024, the chamber announced the third edition of the championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also introduced a new Participant Support Programme for high-potential teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programme helps teams complete their projects through accelerator support. It aims to launch at least 50 additional applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, participants gain access to training, guidance, and best practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The championship also offers funding packages exceeding AED 2.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, October 2025 marked the 10th edition of Expand North Star.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event was organised by Dubai World Trade Centre. It was hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy at Dubai Harbour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It attracted more than 2,000 startups and over 1,200 investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These investors manage assets worth more than US$1.1 trillion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, founders of 40 unicorns attended. Their combined valuation exceeded US$900 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the event reinforced Dubai\u2019s growing influence in global digital entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout 2025, the chamber also organised 36 sector-focused events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It conducted 17 international roadshows across multiple countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These included Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Portugal, Singapore, the UK, the US, Vietnam, and South Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During these visits, the chamber engaged with more than 2,500 digital startups and ecosystem partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, eight reports were published during the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These included The Entrepreneur\u2019s AI Playbook<\/em>. The report aims to help founders use AI tools to launch and scale their businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another report focused on foreign direct investment destinations in the technology sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, the results highlight the steady growth of Dubai digital startups in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also underline Dubai\u2019s expanding role as a global centre for innovation, investment, and digital entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy announced that it supported the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":104055,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9617],"tags":[73],"contributor":[9732],"class_list":["post-104051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news","tag-uae","contributor-news-desk"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Digital-Startups.jpg.jpeg","author_info":{"display_name":"Shifas Majeed","author_link":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/author\/shifas\/"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104051","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/66"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104051"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104051\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":104052,"href":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104051\/revisions\/104052"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/104055"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104051"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=104051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}