The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy recently revealed its significant impact on the local startup scene by assisting 1,690 digital startups in Dubai throughout 2025. This represents a substantial 39.7% increase over the previous year, highlighting the chamber’s commitment to fostering growth in the digital economy.

Strengthening Dubai’s Global Tech Position

The performance metrics demonstrate the chamber’s vital role in establishing Dubai as a premier destination for digital enterprises and innovative ventures, particularly within technology-driven sectors. Among the startups supported, companies focusing on artificial intelligence constituted approximately 15%, while fintech entities made up 12%. Additionally, sectors such as mobility technology, software-as-a-service (SaaS), and e-commerce collectively represented another 20%. Notably, 75% of the firms assisted were of global origin, underscoring Dubai’s attractiveness to international businesses.

In October 2024, a pivotal initiative named Dubai Founders HQ was launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. This innovative program aims to unify and enhance the ecosystem for startups and small to medium-sized enterprises. Developed in collaboration with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, this unique “phygital” platform combines a physical campus with a digital framework, facilitating interaction among founders, investors, and industry enablers.

Empowering the Digital Landscape

Omar Sultan Al Olama, the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, emphasized the chamber’s ongoing dedication to reinforcing Dubai’s stature as a global digital economy hub. Upholding the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the chamber is focused on accelerating the transition to a fully integrated digital landscape, supported by cutting-edge infrastructure and a regulatory environment that fosters innovation. The chamber aims to provide digital companies with the essential tools for expansion, including infrastructure and market access.

The Dubai Chamber’s Business in Dubai platform plays a crucial role in this support network, offering corporate services and facilitating business matchmaking with reliable partners. In 2025, an impressive 48% of supported companies received assistance related to business setup and access to various accelerators and incubators, while 31% benefited from broader support services designed to enhance their growth trajectory.

Innovations and Competitive Platform Initiatives

In April 2025, Sheikh Hamdan honored the winners of the Create Apps Championship, a vital component of the Create Apps in Dubai initiative introduced in March 2023. The championship has garnered significant interest, attracting over 5,800 registrations in its initial two editions and leading to the development of more than 55 smart applications. The chamber also announced plans for a third edition, supported by a new Participant Support Programme aimed at launching an additional 50 fully developed applications. Funding packages exceeding AED 2.5 million ($680,000) were allocated to sustain the winning projects, fostering further innovation in the digital space.

October 2025 marked the 10th edition of the Expand North Star event, a significant gathering organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by the Chamber of Digital Economy at Dubai Harbour. Attracting over 2,000 startups, more than 1,200 investors with a total asset management exceeding $1.1 trillion, and the founders of 40 unicorns valued at a collective $900 billion, this event showcased Dubai’s booming startup ecosystem.

Throughout 2025, the chamber further organized 36 high-profile events and conducted 17 international roadshows across key markets, including the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France, Singapore, South Korea, and Australia, connecting with more than 2,500 digital startups globally. Additionally, the chamber published eight insightful reports over the year, including “The Entrepreneur’s AI Playbook” and a study focusing on foreign direct investment in the tech sector, solidifying its role as a knowledge leader in the digital economy.