'UAE Future 50' spotlights high-potential Emirati startups
The UAE has unveiled a major initiative spotlighting 50 promising Emirati startups shaping the future economy.
'UAE Future 50' was launched in Dubai in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.
It has been jointly developed by the Government Development and the Future Office along with the Ministry of Economy,
The initiative highlights 50 Emirati-led startups operating in 15 future-focused sectors such as fintech, healthtech, space, cybersecurity, renewable energy and smart mobility.
The goal is to accelerate innovation, diversify the national economy, and support a new generation of entrepreneurs driving progress across key industries.
Sheikh Hamdan emphasised the UAE's commitment to creating a supportive environment for startups and innovators, aligning with the country's We the UAE 2031 vision.
He praised Emirati entrepreneurs for their role in building a globally competitive economy and called for more young people to embrace entrepreneurship.
'UAE Future 50' builds on the success of the earlier Future 100 initiative, continuing efforts to recognise high-impact ventures and celebrate national talent.
Hamdan bin Mohammed witnesses launch of the 'UAE Future 50' initiative. The initiative features 50 promising startups launched by Emirati entrepreneurs across 15 future-focused economic sectors that boost the diversification and resilience of the national economy. pic.twitter.com/pO7TWOzTut
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 28, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TECHx
2 hours ago
- TECHx
Dubai Government Approves Strategic Policies and Projects
Home » Smart Sectors » Education » Dubai Government Approves Strategic Policies and Projects The Dubai government has announced the approval of a series of strategic policies and projects during a meeting of The Executive Council. The session was chaired by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. The meeting, held at Emirates Towers, was also attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai. The newly approved initiatives span multiple sectors including higher education, air quality, governance, and legal services. These efforts aim to position Dubai as a global hub for academia, business, and sustainable development. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan stated that youth are central to shaping the future and highlighted Dubai's commitment to equipping them with world-class academic and research opportunities. He emphasized Dubai's ambition to become one of the top 10 global cities for students. The Executive Council revealed that Dubai is currently home to 37 international university branches and aims to increase this number to over 70 by 2033. The higher education sector is projected to contribute AED5.6 billion to Dubai's GDP. Key initiatives announced: The Academic and Career Guidance Policy will provide career support services, strengthen education-to-employment transitions, and boost employment rates among Emirati graduates. The Air Quality Strategy 2030 sets goals to meet clean air standards on 90% of days and reduce PM2.5 to 35 micrograms per cubic metre. The Dubai International Mediation Centre was approved to provide cost-effective dispute resolution services and enhance legal infrastructure. A new Governance Policy for Government Construction Projects was introduced to streamline approval processes and improve transparency in public sector infrastructure. The Air Quality Strategy will be led by the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority in collaboration with entities including Dubai Municipality, DEWA, RTA, and others. The mediation centre, co-developed with the ADR Centre in Europe, will support Dubai's international competitiveness in legal and business services. The construction governance policy will classify projects based on cost and is expected to support the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to raise government spending from AED512 billion to AED700 billion in the next decade. The Dubai government reaffirmed its commitment to empowering youth, enhancing education, ensuring environmental sustainability, and driving long-term economic development through strategic planning and cross-sector partnerships. Source: Dubai Media Office
Gulf Business
17 hours ago
- Gulf Business
DubaiNow app users can now access their credit report, credit score
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes The Etihad Credit Bureau (ECB), the UAE's federal entity for credit information and analytics, has announced a strategic partnership with DubaiNow, the Dubai government's unified smart services platform, allowing users to access their credit report and credit score directly through the app. The integration enables individuals to retrieve their credit data with a single click, significantly enhancing user convenience and digital accessibility. 'Etihad Credit Bureau is committed to advancing the UAE's digital transformation agenda by fostering integration across local government platforms,' said Marwan Ahmad Lutfi, director general of Etihad Credit Bureau. 'By leveraging advanced technology and seamless APIs, we've made it easier than ever to stay informed about your credit health through the digital channels individuals use most.' DubaiNow offers over 300 services Image courtesy DubaiNow website Matar Al Hemeiri, chief executive of the Digital Dubai Government Establishment, said: 'We are pleased to announce the joining of Etihad Credit Bureau to the DubaiNow application, enabling users to easily and quickly access their credit information anytime. This step embodies Etihad Credit Bureau's leading position and reflects its commitment to advancing the digitalisation of life in the UAE.' The initiative aligns with the UAE's national strategy, 'We the UAE 2031', which envisions a pioneering digital ecosystem that supports modern lifestyles and a robust digital economy. Etihad Credit Bureau's integration with DubaiNow follows earlier efforts such as its service linkage with Both entities say the partnership will encourage informed decision-making and promote financial literacy among UAE residents, while laying the groundwork for deeper intergovernmental digital collaborations.
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Sheikh Hamdan approves new policies to boost education, environmental standards in Dubai
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, today approved an array of key strategic policies and projects during a meeting of The Executive Council. The initiatives spanning areas such as higher education, career guidance, air quality, corporate dispute mediation, and governance in the construction sector aim to reinforce Dubai's standing as a global centre for academia, business and sustainable development. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, attended the meeting, held at Emirates Towers. Sheikh Hamdan said: 'Youth are the architects of the future, shaping it with their awareness, optimism, and openness to the world. 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, Dubai continues to empower young people with knowledge and skills, providing them with world-class academic, practical, and research opportunities. Our goal is to make Dubai a destination for outstanding students from around the world and an incubator for innovation.' Sheikh Hamdan said: 'Dubai is home to 37 international university branches and we plan to attract more as we position ourselves as one of the world's top 10 cities for students. By attracting the world's best academic institutions and enhancing research and development, we are supporting the objectives of the Education Strategy 2033 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.' He congratulated students who successfully completed their secondary education this year and wished success to those aiming to complete their studies, as well as to those preparing for the next stage of their lives. He said: 'We have approved the Academic and Career Guidance Policy in Dubai, which supports schools and universities with career advice services. The policy will empower students to identify career paths and transition from education to the workforce, while fostering partnerships between schools, universities, and businesses.' Sheikh Hamdan also highlighted Dubai's global role as a trusted mediator providing dispute resolutions services, by approving the Dubai International Mediation Centre project. He also approved the Air Quality Strategy 2030, which aims to help preserve Dubai's environment and biodiversity, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for residents. He emphasised the importance of continuing to strengthen governance in the public sector: 'We have approved the Governance Policy for Government Construction Projects to further enhance government performance in partnership with the private sector, in line with the highest standards and best practices.' The Executive Council approved a project aimed at attracting top global universities, with the goal of establishing Dubai as a leading global centre for higher education. The project, led by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), envisions that, by 2033, international students will comprise 50% of all university enrolments in the emirate. Further, the higher education sector is expected to contribute approximately Dhs5.6 billion to Dubai's GDP. The initiative aims to establish Dubai as one of the world's top 10 cities for students, with over 70 higher education institutions envisaged by 2033, including 11 ranked within the top 200 globally. Currently, Dubai is home to 37 international universities, such as Curtin University Dubai and University of Wollongong in Dubai, both ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2026 top 200, as well as the University of Birmingham Dubai, ranked among the top 100 international universities, and the University of Manchester Dubai, which is ranked among the top 50. To achieve these goals, the project will usher in improvements to student visa systems, new international scholarships, work visas for graduates, strategies to attract prestigious universities, besides promoting impactful university clusters, regulatory frameworks to ensure quality, a Higher Education Investment Fund, and the Dubai Scientific Research Network. The Executive Council approved the Academic and Career Guidance Policy to support students in making informed decisions about their futures. Led by the KHDA, this policy aims to assist students in enriching their academic and career paths while contributing to the objectives of the Education Strategy 2033. The policy will enhance career advice services in schools and facilitate students' transition into the workforce. It sets ambitious targets, aiming for 90% of Emirati graduates to find employment within six months of graduation, ultimately enabling 90% of the general student population in Dubai to find employment aligned with their respective field of study. Additionally, it envisages that 80% of education providers will be able to offer effective career advice services, and that 70% of graduates will be able to gain entry into one of their top three university or career choices. Other key initiatives approved during the meeting include the Dubai Framework for Academic Guidance and Career Readiness in Educational Institutions, new standards for career advice services, career guidance guidelines for schools and universities, parents and student engagement programmes, information platforms on universities and the job market, entrepreneurship programmes, life skills camps, and partnerships with accredited local and international universities and training institutes. Dubai's Air Quality Strategy 2030 aims to achieve clean air standards on 90% of the days by 2030, thus helping enhance public health and environmental sustainability. The strategy provides for sector-specific targets and initiatives to reduce fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations to 35 micrograms per cubic metre, while also addressing other key pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ground-level ozone. Led by the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority, the strategy is to be implemented in partnership with relevant entities including Dubai Municipality, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Airports, the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, DP World, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Emirates Global Aluminium. The Executive Council also approved the Dubai International Mediation Centre project, which aims to strengthen Dubai's legal infrastructure by offering cost-effective, efficient, and internationally recognised dispute resolution services. The project will contribute to enhancing investor confidence, attracting foreign direct investment, and creating new jobs in the domains of mediation and arbitration. Co-developed by the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department and ADR Centre (a leading mediation institution in Europe), the project will support Dubai's rankings in global competitiveness indices, most notably the availability of alternative dispute resolution methods as measured by the Civil Justice Project. The Council also approved the Governance Policy for Government Construction Projects, led by the Dubai Department of Finance, which aims to standardise procedures, enhancing transparency and reliability in the approval and implementation of government construction projects. It introduces a unified framework categorising projects into three tiers based on cost: below Dhs200 million, between Dhs200–500 million, and above Dhs500 million. This policy promises to significantly improve planning tied to the financial and economic impact of projects and directs fiscal resources towards priority goals, ensuring sustainable economic growth and agility. It also aligns with the goal of increasing government spending from Dhs512 billion over the past decade to Dhs700 billion in the next decade, as part of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. Additionally, the establishment of a five-year project portfolio will prioritise resources and ensure high-impact development. WAM
