Dubai Launches Region's First Proptech Innovation Hub at DIFC
This marks the first proptech-focused innovation hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region.
The initiative is intended to bring together stakeholders across the real estate value chain and promote the use of technology in the sector.
The hub will support over 200 proptech start-ups and scale-ups, with targets to create more than 3,000 jobs and attract over $300 million in investment by 2030.
It will provide tailored licensing, dedicated workspaces, and a range of support programmes aimed at accelerating the commercialisation of new technologies.
The Dubai Proptech Hub will also offer early-stage incubation, venture building, joint pilot programmes, and access to regulatory and financial services.
These include initiatives designed to align participants with emerging global trends in property technology.
Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, said:
'Laying the foundation for attracting more talent, this landmark initiative fast-tracks the expansion of the proptech market in Dubai and positions the emirate as a global leader in real estate innovation. Furthermore, this initiative will build renewed momentum for investment, aligning with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033.'
Omar Hamad BuShehab, Director General of the DLD, said the hub builds on the department's Real Estate Evolution Space Initiative (REES), stating:
'By encouraging start-ups and providing advanced infrastructure and incubators, we are enhancing Dubai's global competitiveness and offering a smarter, more connected approach to real estate investment and development.'
The hub is based on a multi-stakeholder collaboration model that includes regulators, developers, technology providers, investors, and service providers.
Founding partners include developers such as Binghatti, Majid Al Futtaim, Sobha Realty, and Union Properties, as well as infrastructure firm Transguard, which is working with the DIFC Innovation Hub on AI-led building and security technologies.
The initiative is part of wider efforts to make Dubai's real estate market more accessible, transparent, and technologically integrated.
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