The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) has launched the “Employee to Entrepreneur Program,” an initiative to help its employees and those within affiliated economic zones transition into startup founders.

The program supports the national campaign “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World,” introduced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It also reflects DIEZ’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and driving Dubai’s economic diversification.

Yousuf Behzad, Chief People and Strategic Transformation Officer at DIEZ, said the initiative aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to position Dubai among the world’s top three urban economies and create 30 unicorns by 2030.

“Through this program, we aim to identify entrepreneurial talent within DIEZ’s workforce and transform their ideas into real, impactful ventures,” he said, adding that it builds on DIEZ’s long-standing ecosystem of support, infrastructure, and incentives for business growth.

The program leverages DIEZ’s ecosystem, including Oraseya Capital for funding and advisory, SANDBOX for project development, Scality for startup scaling, and the Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (Dtec), the region’s largest tech hub. These resources give participants access to mentorship, investment opportunities, and scalable infrastructure.

It is structured around three stages: idea development, where participants assess market needs and opportunities; planning and model building, which involves creating business strategies and operational frameworks; and launch and expansion, which connect participants with investors and scale opportunities.

The initiative’s first cycle attracted submissions from sectors such as technology, mobility, healthcare, and design. Proposals were evaluated based on feasibility, scalability, growth potential, and broader economic and social impact.