Page 427 - MOET PR REPORT- SEPTEMBER 2025

9/23/25, 5:02 PM UAE aims to exceed two million startups, nurture ten unicorns by 2031
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE minister of Economy and Tourism. (Photo Credit)

Read more | Make it in the Emirates 2025: Launch of new program to connect UAE startups with international
markets

Emerging unicorns in the UAE

The UAE’s startup ecosystem is witnessing dynamic growth as it solidifies its position as a global entrepreneurial hub. In
2025, the country boasts a thriving environment supported by government incentives such as tax relief for startups with
revenues under AED3 million and tailored residency options like the Startup Visa and the 10-year Golden Visa. These
measures are further designed to promote innovation and empower entrepreneurs to scale their ventures internationally.
Notably, the Emirates Development Bank offers financing of up to AED 5 million for tech startups, complemented by
support from incubation hubs like in5, Flat6Labs, Astrolabs, and Abu Dhabi’s Hub71, which collectively raised $2.17
billion in funding by 2024.

The UAE hosts 11 unicorn startups collectively valued at $17.2 billion in 2025, spanning fintech, e-commerce, AI, and food
tech sectors. Startups in fintech, insurtech, Web3, and AI attracted $541 million capital in H1 2025, reflecting an 18 percent
year-on-year increase in investor interest despite challenging market conditions. Moreover, Abu Dhabi ranks third in the
MENA region’s startup ecosystem performance, and Dubai continues to offer unmatched connectivity and regional reach
for scale-ups. The national campaign ‘The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World’ builds on these achievements by
fostering an enabling environment to help entrepreneurs launch and expand ventures, aligned with the UAE’s goal of
exceeding two million companies and nurturing 10 unicorns by 2031.

https://economymiddleeast.com/news/uae-aims-to-exceed-two-million-startups-nurture-ten-unicorns-by-2031/ 2/2