The Future100 initiative has reaffirmed its dedication to accelerating the growth of SMEs within future economy sectors in the UAE. This endeavor aims to cultivate a holistic investment ecosystem that aligns with technological advancements and enhances opportunities for economic growth. This commitment seeks to instigate a transformative shift in the UAE’s economy, solidifying the nation’s status as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. The initiative held discussion sessions on February 26 and 27 during Investopia 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
Notable participants included Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, and Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, UAE Minister of State for Government Development and the Future. They were joined by a diverse array of entrepreneurs, startups, investment funds, business incubators, accelerators, and global technology and innovation firms.
Investopia 2025 was held under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
In-depth sessions featuring industry leaders
The initiative comprised 15 sessions that included 48 speakers, comprising ministers, senior officials, and industry experts. The discussions tackled various pressing topics, including artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, tech-driven entrepreneurship, the future of SMEs, innovative investment strategies, and the integration of technology in financial models. Additional topics explored mechanisms to promote SMEs in expanding within the new economy, as well as the crucial role of female entrepreneurs in driving positive societal and economic impacts.
The opening session featured Alia Al Mazrouei and Sarah Shaw, executive director of the National CSR Fund (Majra), who underscored the initiative’s importance in empowering enterprises in future economy sectors. They examined strategies for promoting entrepreneurship and ensuring sustainability while reinforcing the UAE’s status as a global business hub.
Future100 as catalyst for SME growth
Alia Al Mazrouei emphasized that Future100 has emerged as a critical enabler for SME growth within the UAE’s new economy, assisting them in expanding into regional and global markets. She pointed out that the UAE’s leadership has established a competitive legislative framework that attracts entrepreneurs and startups from all over the world, providing essential initiatives crucial for their success.
Currently, SMEs represent 94 percent of all businesses in the UAE, with 25,000 new enterprises founded by Emirati youth in 2024 alone. The UAE hosts over 50 government and private business incubators and accelerators, contributing to its recognition as the leading global destination for business and economic activities in 2024, as reported by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). The UAE also ranked first globally in the GEM Entrepreneurship Index for 2023-2024 for the third consecutive year, excelling in key metrics such as financing, market accessibility, and government support.
Strategic priorities for national entrepreneurship development
Al Mazrouei highlighted that boosting national entrepreneurship is a strategic priority for the UAE and a fundamental component of the country’s economic agenda, led by the Ministry of Economy in collaboration with government entities, the private sector, and academic and research institutions. She outlined new initiatives aimed at enhancing the country’s competitiveness and increasing entrepreneurs’ success rates from 30 percent to 50 percent over the next decade.
Key initiatives further include the Riyada Fund, which allocates AED300 million to support entrepreneurial ventures, and the UAE Entrepreneurship Council, which seeks to unify national efforts to expedite SME growth and strengthen collaboration among key stakeholders. She also encouraged entrepreneurs and startups to take advantage of these enablers and incentives, along with the Future100 initiative.
Recognizing commitment to sustainability and social impact
Sarah Shaw further noted that companies involved in the initiative were among the first to receive the Sustainable Impact Project Seal from Majra, acknowledging their commitment to sustainability and social impact. Additionally, she reported a 43 percent increase in sustainability and environment-focused startup applications under Future100, reflecting the maturation of the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and its alignment with the UAE Green Agenda 2030.
Showcasing innovation in technology and entrepreneurship
Moreover, the event included a session titled “Cisco Digital Innovation Award: Recognising Excellence in Innovation,” which showcased Cisco’s Product Innovation Lab, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy to enhance the capabilities of SMEs through innovative solutions. Bassam Shaker, general manager of Creative Advanced Technologies, participated in this session.
Also, another session, “Accelerating Future: Transforming Growth through AI and Emerging Technologies,” featured industry leaders such as Ahmed Alwan, CEO of Hub71, Mohammed Al Blooshi, CEO of Dubai International Financial Centre Innovation Hub, and Mansoor Jafar, CEO of Abu Dhabi Global Academy. Discussions centered on the role of accelerators and incubators in supporting AI-driven and advanced technology startups, exploring financing strategies, expansion possibilities, and emerging trends in sustainable technologies.
Exploring the role of technology in MENA’s economic landscape
Furthermore, Aa session titled “Coming of Age: Technology and Entrepreneurship Are Changing the Face of MENA” examined the transformation of emerging markets and the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in reshaping the region’s economic landscape, highlighting success stories, challenges, and future opportunities.
In addition, the “Crimson Founders Demo Session: Startups with Founders from MIT and Harvard” showcased six leading startups founded by MIT and Harvard graduates, with presentations on artificial intelligence, energy, biotechnology, financial technology, and security solutions. Entrepreneurs and investors, including Arya Bolourfrushan, founder of Applied AI, and David Brown, founder of Helix Carbon, attended this session, moderated by Anousheh Kalantari, founder of Crimson Founders.
Innovations reshaping the logistics sector
Also, a closed session titled “DHL Forward Challenge” highlighted its winners, featuring an interactive discussion on innovations and strategies that are reshaping the logistics sector through digital transformation and advanced technology solutions. Participants included Irina Albanese, head of the Innovation Center in the Middle East and Africa at DHL, and Anjan Kumar, co-founder and CEO of Greendzine.
Financing models for advanced technologies
On the second day, a session titled “Funding the Future: Innovative Models for SME Finance” addressed how SMEs can secure financing for advanced technologies. Speakers discussed how technology simplifies financing processes and the role of strategic partnerships in developing a dynamic financing ecosystem. This session featured Farooq Siddiqui, head of Projects at SC Ventures, and Francesco Velea, CEO of Vasanara Capital.
Empowering women entrepreneurs
Another discussion, “Empowered and Enabled: Women Entrepreneurs Driving Impact,” explored the role of women in entrepreneurship and the balance between professional and family life. Participants included Maha Al Gergawi, vice president of the Business Community Support Sector at Dubai Chambers, and Salama Al Amimi, director-general of the Family Care Authority in Abu Dhabi. The session emphasized investment opportunities and social policies supporting women in business.
Jayesh Patel, CEO of Wio Bank, led a session on advanced financing solutions for SMEs, discussing Wio Bank’s role in offering innovative financial solutions to facilitate business growth.
Unlocking investment potential in future economy sectors
A discussion titled “Investing in Tomorrow: Unlocking the UAE’s New Economy Potential” examined investment strategies and their significance in expanding businesses within future economy sectors, particularly artificial intelligence, modern technologies, and financial technology. Speakers included Walid Mansour, co-founder and Co-CEO of Middle East Venture Partners, and Julian Plozo, senior partner at Eurasia Capital.
Catalysts of success: Investment stories from Future100
The event concluded with “Catalysts of Success: Investment Stories That Shape the Future100,” where entrepreneurs shared their investment journeys and strategies for securing funding and driving growth. Participants included Tarek Othman, co-founder and commercial director at Abro Company, and Haitham Al-Riyahi, co-founder and CEO of Sirka Biotech. This session, moderated by Sonia Gokhale, founder and general partner at Venture Market, underscored how strategic investment paves the way for economic advancement in an evolving business landscape.
