Page 156 - MAJRA PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025

Future100 initiative signs 6 agreements to drive startup growth in UAE’s new economy sectors

Story by KN

• 4d •
5 min read

ABU DHABI, 27th February, 2025 (WAM) -- The Future100 initiative announced the signing of six new
partnership agreements with key economic and academic institutions, business accelerators, and
investment firms.

The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are aimed at driving startup growth in new and
sustainable economy sectors, enhancing the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and providing
innovative solutions for scaling up startups.

The initiative’s new partners are Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Oraseya
Capital - the investment arm of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, Dubai International
Financial Centre (DIFC) Innovation Hub, Ernst & Young UAE, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP),
and in5 Incubator.

The signing ceremony was attended by Alia bint Abdulla Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for
Entrepreneurship, while Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy,
signed the MoUs on behalf of the initiative.

The signatories representing the new partners were Professor Eric Xing, President of Mohamed bin
Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence; Mohammed Alblooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub;
Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President of TECOM Group – Dubai Media City on behalf of in5;
Anthony O’Sullivan, Managing Partner of Ernst & Young UAE; Walid Mansour, Co-Founder and
Managing Partner of MEVP; and Hassan Waheed Al Farsi, Board Member of Oraseya Capital.

Alia Al Mazrouei emphasised the UAE’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation,
stating, “The UAE has been proactive in launching pioneering initiatives that create a competitive
environment for entrepreneurs, enabling them to attract investments, promote their products and
services, and secure necessary funding. This also contributes to nurturing an entrepreneurial
culture in our society.”

She noted that the Future100 initiative is one of the UAE’s most significant programs aimed at
accelerating growth in emerging economic sectors and enhancing opportunities for startups to
expand globally. The initiative annually recognises top 100 startups that are contributing to the
competitiveness of the UAE’s future economy.

Al Mazrouei added, "The initiative’s partners play a vital role in providing technical and legal
support, as well as offering competitive financing solutions for the 100 companies selected in each
cycle. We remain committed to forging more partnerships that will enhance the UAE’s
entrepreneurial ecosystem, equipping innovators with the necessary expertise to develop
groundbreaking projects that benefit society and drive economic and social progress in the
country."

https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/other/future100-initiative-signs-6-agreements-to-drive-
startup-growth-in-uae-s-new-economy-sectors/ar-AA1zVwQy