Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, announced that it supported the establishment and expansion of 1,690 digital startups in Dubai during 2025, marking a 39.7 percent increase year-on-year.
The surge in new digital startups reflects the chamber’s pivotal role in enhancing Dubai’s reputation as a global nexus for tech companies and entrepreneurial ventures across rapidly evolving sectors.
Diverse Startup Landscape
Of the startups supported in 2025, approximately 15 percent focused on artificial intelligence, while fintech companies made up 12 percent of the total. The growing segments of mobility tech, software-as-a-service (SaaS), and e-commerce collectively accounted for another 20 percent. Notably, around 75 percent of the supported businesses were global entities looking to establish or expand their operations within Dubai.
Introduction of Dubai Founders HQ
In October 2025, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the Dubai Founders HQ, a strategic initiative aimed at reinforcing the startup and SME ecosystem in Dubai. This elaborately designed platform combines physical and digital infrastructure, creating a vibrant hub for entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate partners.
The Dubai Founders HQ aims to foster a spirit of collaboration and innovation among diverse stakeholders. It serves as a pivotal space where ideas can flourish and where startups can gain access to critical resources and networks.
Omar Sultan Al Olama, the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, underscored the initiative’s intent. He expressed the government’s commitment to establishing Dubai as a global hotspot for digital enterprises, continually enhancing the infrastructure and regulatory frameworks for a thriving digital economy.
Comprehensive Support Services
The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy offers a variety of integrated services designed for digital companies through its Business in Dubai platform. This platform not only provides corporate services but also connects startups with investors, partners, and customers, facilitating a smoother launch and growth process within the emirate.
In 2025, nearly half of the supported startups benefited from business setup services, and about 31 percent took advantage of the broader business support services available. These initiatives enhance the ecosystem and enable companies to scale effectively within a dynamic environment.
Additionally, the Create Apps Championship initiated by the chamber witnessed significant participation, illustrating the thriving app development scene in Dubai. This championship has seen over 5,800 registrations since its inception and aims to support even more innovative applications in the future.
Global Outreach and Expansion Initiatives
The 10th edition of Expand North Star, organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre, marked a significant milestone for Dubai’s digital ecosystem. The event attracted over 2,000 startups and 1,200 investors managing assets exceeding $1.1 trillion. It showcased founders of 40 unicorns whose collective valuation reached $900 billion, emphasizing Dubai’s growing stature in global entrepreneurship.
Throughout 2025, the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy organized 36 sector-specific events and held 17 international roadshows across various countries, forging connections with thousands of digital startups and stakeholders. This is a strategic approach to engage with a broader range of participants in the global digital economy.
Adding to its influential role, the chamber published multiple reports during the year, including The Entrepreneur’s AI Playbook, geared toward promoting the understanding and utilization of AI in business processes. This reflects its commitment to equipping entrepreneurs with the insights needed for effective scaling and innovation.
