Key Takeaways

• The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy is supporting the establishment and growth of 1,210 digital startups in 2024, marking a 120% increase from 2023.
• The ‘Create Apps in Dubai’ initiative trained 1,333 Emiratis in mobile app development, achieving a 170% growth compared to the previous year.
• The chamber organized 20 international roadshows to promote Dubai’s digital ecosystem, leading to the successful Expand North Star 2024 event.
• H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama emphasized enhancing advanced technology sectors to boost Dubai’s economy and competitiveness in the digital space.
• A mobile app competition, part of the ‘Create Apps in Dubai’ initiative, received significant international participation with 1,100 entries from 64 countries.
• Expand North Star 2024 attracted over 1,800 startups and 1,200 investors from 100 countries, showcasing innovations and featuring 65 unicorn companies.
• The chamber’s ‘Business in Dubai’ platform supports company expansions with institutional services in collaboration with 77 partners.
• Throughout 2024, the chamber held 21 events and signed 12 MoUs to foster digital economy growth and published six economic reports.

In 2024, Dubai is once again proving its commitment to being a world leader in digital innovation and entrepreneurship. Through strategic initiatives and events aimed at supporting startups and nurturing local talent, Dubai is poised to transform its digital ecosystem and enhance its position as a global hub for technology and business. Here’s an in-depth look at how Dubai is spearheading this digital revolution.

The Rise of Digital Startups in Dubai

Dubai’s push for digital innovation has taken a massive leap forward with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy backing the establishment and expansion of 1,210 digital startups in 2024. This ambitious move represents an impressive 120% increase compared to 2023, underscoring Dubai’s growing appeal to emerging digital entrepreneurs.

Why is this significant?

1. Economic Diversification: Supporting digital startups is critical for Dubai’s economic diversification strategies, reducing dependency on traditional sectors.
2. Global Attraction: Enhanced support positions Dubai as a lucrative destination for global tech startups looking to access Middle Eastern markets.
3. Increased Job Creation: More startups contribute to job creation, boosting the local economy and increasing opportunities for residents.

‘Create Apps in Dubai’ Initiative

One of the standout initiatives driving Dubai’s digital success is the ‘Create Apps in Dubai’ program. In 2024, this initiative achieved a spectacular 170% growth by training 1,333 Emiratis in mobile application development.

Objectives and Achievements:

• Enhance digital skills among Emiratis, empowering them to be at the forefront of tech innovation.
• Tripling the number of app developers by 2025.
• Supporting 100 new national projects focused on innovative mobile app development.

Notable Highlights:

• An app competition associated with the initiative gained international traction, with 1,100 entries from 64 countries.
• UAE participants made up 70% of submissions, indicating rapidly growing local interest and skills in app development.

Promoting Dubai’s Digital Ecosystem

The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy’s efforts to bolster the digital economy extend beyond training and startup support. In 2024, they organized 20 international roadshows to promote Dubai’s evolving digital landscape, culminating in the successful Expand North Star event.

Expand North Star 2024: A Glance

• Attracted over 1,800 startups and more than 1,200 investors from 100 countries.
• Showcased cutting-edge innovations and featured 65 unicorn companies with a market value exceeding $400 billion.

Empowering Businesses and Building Connections

The chamber’s ‘Business in Dubai’ platform is another cornerstone of business empowerment, providing collaboration with 77 partners to support companies seeking expansion in Dubai. This includes:

• Offering a range of institutional services.
• Business-matching services to connect startups with suitable partners, investors, and clients.
• Signing 12 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and publishing six economic reports to boost sector growth.

Future Outlook and Challenges

H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, a key figure in these initiatives, emphasized the need to unlock the potential of advanced technologies to propel Dubai’s economic growth and maintain its competitive edge in the digital sector. In his view, sustainable growth in digital sectors requires continuous improvement of infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to promote the prosperity of companies specializing in future technologies.

What Lies Ahead?

• Continued investment in technology and innovation will shape the next decade for Dubai.
• Ongoing collaboration with international partners to enrich Dubai’s digital economy.
• Challenges include maintaining the momentum of growth and ensuring inclusivity in digital transformation efforts.