Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has announced its support for the establishment and expansion of 1,210 digital startups in Dubai throughout 2024. This marks a notable increase of 120 percent compared to 2023, underscoring Dubai’s growing attractiveness to entrepreneurs and startups focusing on essential digital sectors.
The chamber also provided training to 1,333 Emiratis in the fundamentals of mobile application development in 2024, achieving a significant growth of 170 percent from the previous year. This training was part of the ‘Create Apps in Dubai’ initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE. The initiative aims to train and qualify 1,000 Emiratis to drive digital capabilities within the UAE. The program was designed to triple the number of app developers in Dubai by 2025 and support 100 new national projects focused on the development of innovative mobile applications.
Read more: Ten startups selected for second edition of MIT DesignX Dubai Accelerator
Vision for digital economy
H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, remarked: “Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, the chamber has successfully elevated its efforts to unlock the potential of advanced technologies and enhance Dubai’s position as a global capital for the digital economy.”
Al Olama stressed the importance of maximising the potential of advanced technology sectors to increase their contribution to Dubai’s economic growth. He also highlighted the necessity to stimulate the growth of digital startups to seize promising opportunities in Dubai.
His Excellency added: “The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy is committed to ensuring the sustainable growth of digital economy sectors and expanding its promising opportunities. This will be achieved by enhancing the infrastructure and regulatory framework of a business ecosystem that fosters the prosperity of companies specialising in future technologies, supporting efforts to elevate Dubai’s competitiveness and digital economy.”
Supporting app developers
In February 2024, the winners of the App competition were celebrated across four award categories. This event, organised by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy as part of the ‘Create Apps in Dubai’ initiative, is aimed at enhancing Dubai’s status as a hub for smart application development and drawing creative talent to the emirate.
The competition, which invited participants to showcase their mobile app development ideas, received more than 1,100 entries and gained significant international attention. UAE participants represented 70 percent of submissions, while international entries from 64 countries accounted for the remaining 30 percent. A total of 247 ideas were shortlisted, culminating in 12 finalists competing on the final day of the event.
Expand North Star
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy organised 20 international roadshows during 2024 to promote opportunities in Dubai’s evolving digital landscape and raise awareness about Expand North Star, the world’s largest event for startups and investors.
Hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy in collaboration with Dubai World Trade Centre in October, the 2024 edition of Expand North Star attracted remarkable participation. The event’s success was reflected in the increased number of visitors and exhibitors, along with the exceptional quality of innovations showcased and participation from several new countries. Expand North Star 2024 drew over 1,800 startups and more than 1,200 investors from 100 countries managing over $1 trillion in assets. The exhibition also featured 65 unicorn companies with a combined market value exceeding $400 billion.
Empowering businesses
The chamber’s ‘Business in Dubai’ platform continued to support companies looking to establish or expand their operations in Dubai. This platform offers a wide range of institutional services in collaboration with 77 partners, along with business-matching services to help companies identify suitable partners, investors, and customers to aid their growth.
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy organised 21 events throughout 2024 to support the business community, empower startups, nurture talent, strengthen partnerships, and enhance the business ecosystem.
Additionally, the chamber signed a total of 12 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with regional and international entities to strengthen cooperation in key digital economy sectors and published six economic reports and studies reflecting the dynamism and resilience of Dubai’s digital economy.
