Future100 initiative aims to strengthen UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

Image Source – WAM

Investopia 2025 Future 100 Initiative 

As part of the Investopia 2025 event, the Future100 initiative, held on February 26-27, reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE’s future economy sector. The Future100 initiative aimed to foster an investment ecosystem aligned with technological advancements, positioning the UAE as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

The discussions featured Alia bint Abdullal Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future. A wide range of topics were discussed during the event, including AI, emerging technologies, tech-driven entrepreneurship, SME growth strategies, and innovative investment models, and it was attended by entrepreneurs, startups, incubators, accelerators, and global tech companies.

SMEs in the UAE

SMEs account for 94% of businesses in the UAE, which hosts over 50 incubators and accelerators. For the third consecutive year, the UAE is ranked #1 globally in the GEM Entrepreneurship Index 2023-2024. The UAE also leads the MENA region in startups and scale-ups presence with 40% ventures located in Dubai. Al Mazrouei emphasized the UAE’s competitive legislative framework, which has fostered an environment for the growth of entrepreneurs and startups. In addition, she outlined initiatives to boost UAE competitiveness by aiming to increase entrepreneur success rates from 30% to 50% over the next ten years. 

This included initiatives such as Riyada Fund by allocating AED 300 million fund to support startups and UAE Entrepreneurship Council to unify efforts to accelerate SME growth in the country. Meanwhile, Sarah Shaw, Executive Director of the National CSR Fund (Majra) noted a 43% increase in sustainability-focused startups, aligning with the UAE Agenda 2030. 

The Future100 included sessions on Cisco’s Production Innovation Lab, AI-driven startup growth with leaders from Hub71, DIFC Innovation Hub and Abu Dhabi Global Academy. The sessions also showcased startups by MIT and Harvard graduates in AI, energy, biotech, and fintech, explored SME financing models and the impact of female entrepreneurs. 

In the UAE’s evolving economic landscape, the Future100 initiative continues to play a key role in ensuring SME success and providing strategic support, funding and growth opportunities to entrepreneurs and startups.

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