The UAE has launched a national campaign titled “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World” to reinforce its position as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.

The initiative, overseen by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism in collaboration with the UAE Government Media Office and the UAE Entrepreneurship Council, brings together more than 50 incubators, accelerators, and strategic partners from the public and private sectors.

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said startups and entrepreneurs remain central to the country’s economic growth strategy. The goal is to increase the number of companies to over two million by 2031. The UAE also aims to see at least 10 unicorns emerge during this period, with five already established.

Currently, the UAE hosts over 1.2 million companies, nearly 94% of which are entrepreneur-owned. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up 95% of businesses in the country and contributed 63.5% to non-oil GDP by mid-2022.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said the campaign will train and nurture Emirati entrepreneurs, create economic opportunities, and raise awareness of the role of entrepreneurship in national development.

He highlighted that SMEs form the backbone of the economy and praised the UAE’s global ranking for providing an enabling environment for their growth.

The campaign introduces several initiatives to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem. These include StartupEmirates.ae, a digital platform offering mentorship, networking, shared workspaces, and cross-border partnerships. The target is 10,000 entrepreneurs and 30,000 jobs by 2030.

A national Entrepreneurship Program will train 10,000 Emiratis through beginner and advanced tracks covering business setup, growth, and global expansion.

Other initiatives include a Content Creator Program to train 50 Emiratis in economics- and entrepreneurship-focused media, a Project Management Experts Program to qualify 500 professionals in residential construction, and a Tax Agent Program to license 500 Emirati specialists in collaboration with the Federal Tax Authority.

The campaign will also support 250 new Emirati-owned real estate companies, launch nationwide entrepreneurship expos in schools and universities, and expand startup access to federal procurement by prioritizing national entrepreneurs and streamlining processes.