The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME) aims to support the launch of 8,000 new Emirati businesses by 2033, raising the total number of supported enterprises to 27,000, up from 19,000 at the end of 2024.
In statements to WAM, Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting CEO of Dubai SME, highlighted the establishment’s commitment to integrating AI and advanced technologies to enhance its services, analyze market trends and improve the efficiency of its support.
Almheiri explained that Dubai SME utilizes smart tools to identify opportunities, provide specialized consultancy and deliver digital training. A significant portion of licensing and technical support processes has been automated.
“AI will also be instrumental in monitoring business progress and enabling swift responses to challenges,” Almheiri stated. He added that Dubai SME offers training programs to equip entrepreneurs with the skills to integrate AI into their operations, thereby fostering innovation, scalability and global competitiveness.
Supporting Emirati businesses in facing key challenges
He also addressed key challenges facing startups, including access to funding and high operating costs. He noted that the establishment provides seed and expansion funding through the Mohammed Bin Rashid Fund for SME, as well as commercial licences for AED1,000.
Furthermore, incubator space is available at the Hamdan Center for Giftedness and Innovation, targeting sectors such as AI, the digital economy and fintech.
Dubai SME also prioritizes productivity and sustainability by offering relevant tools and resources. These include a grant program for innovative ideas, an initiative to facilitate e-commerce entry and a procurement program mandating government and semi-government entities to allocate 10 percent of their purchases to Dubai SME members.
Moreover, it conducts monthly workshops with industry stakeholders and has provided consultations to over 3,000 entrepreneurs in the past year.
Read: UAE’s top 50 brands surge 22 percent in value to $88.5 billion in 2025
Dubai SME marks surge in new business launches
In 2024, Dubai SME reinforced its role as a catalyst for economic transformation and a driver of Emirati entrepreneurship through a comprehensive range of services and opportunities. The organization facilitated the launch of 3,461 new Emirati businesses, 524 more than the previous year, bringing the total number of supported SMEs to 19,904 since its founding in 2002.
Advisory services were provided to 3,075 entrepreneurs who benefited from expert guidance and mentorship, more than doubling the number supported in 2023, and raising the total number of beneficiaries to 53,206 since 2002.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Fund for SME, the funding arm of the establishment, remained instrumental in empowering entrepreneurs through financial support, guidance and consultancy. In 2024, the Fund financed 44 projects, amounting to AED35.17 million, raising the total number of supported projects to 168 and the overall funding value to AED137 million since its inception in 2015.
Furthermore, the Hamdan Innovation Incubator supported 66 entrepreneurs in 2024, a significant increase from 29 businesses in 2023, bringing the total number of startups supported to 826 through enhanced market access, expansion, and financial guidance.
Dubai SME said its plans for 2025 include expanding training programs, enhancing digital tools, offering e-commerce platforms, and forging new partnerships to elevate Emirati businesses. By strengthening collaborations with stakeholders and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, the establishment is poised to drive even greater impact in 2025 and beyond.
