Mohammed bin Rashid launches UAE Startup Capital campaign

Comprehensive support for entrepreneurs

The campaign seeks to support 10,000 Emirati entrepreneurs, create thousands of economic opportunities, and raise public awareness about the importance of entrepreneurship. Supervised by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism in collaboration with the UAE Government Media Office and the UAE Entrepreneurship Council, it brings together more than 50 incubators, accelerators, and strategic partners from the public and private sectors to create a unified, supportive ecosystem.

The UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the UAE’s non-oil economy, contributing over 63% to the non-oil GDP. With 50 incubators already operating across the country, the UAE leads among 56 global economies in SME support. He called on all institutions to participate actively in this campaign to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurial growth.

Key initiatives under the campaign

StartupEmirates.ae Platform

This newly launched digital platform, created in partnership with the New Economy Academy, offers Emirati entrepreneurs access to free mentorship, shared workspaces, networking events, training programmes, and international partnerships. The platform aims to attract 10,000 entrepreneurs and generate 30,000 jobs by 2030.

Entrepreneurship training programme

The campaign includes a national entrepreneurship programme designed to train 10,000 Emiratis. It offers a two-track structure: a beginner track that introduces essential business concepts and an advanced track that covers the full journey from launching a startup to achieving sustainable growth and global expansion.

Specialised content creator programme

This initiative will train 50 Emirati content creators in economics and entrepreneurship to help raise awareness, promote economic education, and encourage youth to explore entrepreneurial paths.

Project management experts programme

This programme will train, qualify, and license 500 Emiratis in managing residential construction projects. Participants will gain the skills needed to oversee the entire lifecycle of housing developments and support homeowners throughout the process.

UAE tax agent programme

Aimed at licensing 500 certified Emirati tax agents over three years, this programme includes training in VAT and corporate tax, and is being implemented in collaboration with the Federal Tax Authority and the New Economy Academy.

Real estate entrepreneurship support

The campaign will also incubate and support 250 full-time Emirati-owned real estate companies, enabling them to operate as licensed agencies rather than just individual brokers.

Promoting youth entrepreneurship and access to government opportunities

Young entrepreneurs and graduate business expo

To promote entrepreneurship from an early age, the campaign includes a national expo across educational institutions in partnership with the Ministry of Education. A separate expo for graduate entrepreneurs will provide a platform to showcase business projects to potential investors and strategic partners, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Federal government procurement access

The campaign also focuses on enabling startups to participate in federal procurement under the Ministry of Finance. This includes prioritising Emirati entrepreneurs in federal tenders, simplifying procurement procedures, and providing training and awareness programmes to help startups successfully navigate and compete in the government contracting space.

National impact

“The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World” campaign is a transformative step toward building a future-ready economy. By fostering innovation, nurturing Emirati talent, and providing the infrastructure and support for sustainable business growth, the UAE continues to position itself as a global hub for entrepreneurship and economic leadership.