Dubai sees a massive increase in digital startups as the Chamber of Digital Economy supports 1,210 entrepreneurs in 2024

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy highlights the city’s appeal to entrepreneurs with support for 1,210 startups

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has announced that it successfully supported establishing and expanding 1,210 digital startups in Dubai during 2024..

This represents an increase of 120 per cent compared to 2023, underlining Dubai’s growing appeal among entrepreneurs and startups specialising in key digital sectors.

The chamber also trained 1,333 Emiratis in the fundamentals of mobile application development in 2024, achieving growth of 170 per cent compared to the previous year.

Digital startups in Dubai

The training was completed as part of the “Create Apps in Dubai” initiative, launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, which aims to train and qualify 1,000 Emiratis to enhance digital capabilities in the UAE.

The programme was launched to triple the number of app developers in Dubai by 2025, as well as to support 100 new national projects for the development of cutting-edge mobile applications.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, said: “Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, the chamber has successfully elevated its efforts to unlock the potential of advanced technologies and enhance Dubai’s position as a global capital for the digital economy.”

Al Olama emphasised the importance of enhancing efforts to maximise the potential of advanced technology sectors, increasing their contribution to the growth of Dubai’s economy, and sustaining initiatives aimed at developing and empowering national talent in smart applications.

Additionally, he highlighted the need to stimulate the growth of digital startups to capitalise on promising opportunities in Dubai.

Al Olama said: “The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy is committed to ensuring the sustainable growth of digital economy sectors and expanding its promising opportunities.

“This will be achieved by enhancing the infrastructure and regulatory framework of a business ecosystem that fosters the prosperity of companies specialising in future technologies, supporting efforts to elevate Dubai’s competitiveness and digital economy.”

In February 2024, the winners of the App competition were honoured across four award categories. Organised by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy as part of the Create Apps in Dubai initiative, the competition is designed to enhance Dubai’s status as a hub for smart application development and attract creative talent to the emirate.

The competition, which encourages participants to present their ideas for mobile app development, attracted more than 1,100 entries and garnered widespread international attention.

UAE participants accounted for 70 per cent of submissions, with international entries from 64 countries making up the remaining 30 per cent.

A total of 247 ideas were shortlisted for the competition, which culminated with 12 finalists competing on the last day of the event.

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy organised 20 international roadshows during 2024 to promote opportunities in Dubai’s evolving digital landscape and raise awareness surrounding Expand North Star, the world’s largest event for startups and investors.

Hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy in collaboration with Dubai World Trade Centre in October, the 2024 edition of Expand North Star attracted unprecedented participation.

The event’s success was reflected in increased numbers of visitors and exhibitors, together with the exceptional quality of innovations on display and the participation of several new countries.

Expand North Star 2024 attracted more than 1,800 startups and more than 1,200 investors from 100 countries managing over $1tn ($272.3bn) in assets under management.

The exhibition also featured 65 unicorn companies with a combined market value exceeding $400bn ($109bn).

The chamber’s Business in Dubai platform continued to support companies seeking to establish or expand their operations in Dubai.

The platform offers a comprehensive range of institutional services in collaboration with 77 partners, together with business-matching services to help companies identify the right partners, investors, and customers to support their growth.

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy organised 21 events during 2024 to support the business community, empower startups, nurture talent, strengthen partnerships, and improve the business ecosystem.

The chamber also signed a total of 12 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with regional and international entities to bolster cooperation in key digital economy sectors and issued six economic reports and studies reflecting the dynamism and resilience of Dubai’s digital economy.

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