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3/13/25, 1:19 PM UICCA, Ministry of Economy partner to reinforce sustainability through launch of Circular Economy Cycle – The Gulf Time Newspaper
aspirations. This collaboration reflects a shared vision to drive forward the circular economy agenda, creating a future where
economic prosperity and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Through collective action, we aim to inspire industries,
policymakers, and communities to embrace sustainable practices, catalyse innovation, and shape a future where people and
the planet can prosper together.”
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said that the UAE, thanks to the vision of its wise leadership, has made great strides in transitioning
to a circular economy model, which is also one of the main pillars of the sustainability and growth of its national economy.
In this context, he elaborated that this would continue their concerted efforts to implement the UAE Circular Economy Policy
2031, which consists of 22 policies for four key sectors: Manufacturing, Food, Infrastructure and Transportation.
These will promote the adoption of the best technologies in recycling, enhance the efficiency of resource use and reduce
waste, and create new growth opportunities based on innovation, knowledge and investment in new economic sectors.
He pointed out that Investopia stands out today as a global platform that brings together decision-makers, investors and
entrepreneurs to discuss innovative economic solutions that anticipate the future of vital sectors. Hence, the launch of the

Circular Economy Cycle of the UICCA Launchpad Programme at Investopia 2025 reaffirms the country’s vision to drive
investments to develop circular economic models and support sustainable projects.
Bin Touq said, “The signing of the MoU between the Ministry of Economy and UICCA is a pivotal step towards accelerating
the adoption of circular economy concepts at the national and regional levels, by empowering innovative startups that develop
solutions to reuse resources and reduce the environmental footprint of productive sectors. Through this cooperation, we
reaffirm our commitment to providing a supportive regulatory environment for better integration between the public and private
sectors and stimulating sustainable investments to achieve the UAE’s circular economy policy and consolidate its position as
a global hub for the new economy.”
Following this strategic partnership, UICCA announced that the Circular Economy Cycle of the Launchpad Programme will
officially commence in May 2025. As a zero-equity, market-access-oriented programme, the accelerator is designed to support
early-stage ventures developing solutions that eliminate or repurpose waste across key industries. Applications are now open
to local, regional, and international start-ups, with the registration portal live from 27 February 2025. Selected participants will
gain access to tailored mentorship, investor engagement opportunities, and a network of key industry stakeholders committed
to advancing sustainability-focused innovation.

UICCA invites all start-ups to submit their applications through the official application form:
https://forms.office.com/r/5G5fNZmiEp
Recognising the broader challenges that climate-tech start-ups face in scaling their solutions, the Launchpad team also
hosted a roundtable discussion at Investopia 2025 to present key findings from the inaugural edition of the UICCA Policy Brief:
Sustaining Start-ups – Bridging the Financial Gap in the UAE Climate-Tech Ecosystem. The session, attended by leaders
from finance, corporate innovation, and technology sectors, examined the structural funding challenges faced by climate-tech
ventures as they transition from early-stage to growth-stage operations.
The policy brief identified a critical gap in growth-stage funding for climate-tech start-ups in the UAE, where investment
remains concentrated in fintech, health-tech, and e-commerce. It highlighted that while early-stage support through incubators
and accelerators is strong, many climate-tech start-ups struggle to secure the capital needed to refine proof of concept,
expand operations, and enter new markets. Key recommendations from the discussion included establishing dedicated scale-
up funds, incentivising private investment in climate-tech businesses, streamlining regulatory frameworks, and fostering
stronger regional market integration to unlock cross-border growth opportunities.
Download the full policy brief to explore these insights in detail: https://uicca.ae/resources/policy-brief
UICCA remains committed to ensuring that its accelerator participants receive ongoing support beyond the start-up phase,
enabling them to navigate the complexities of scaling their operations and achieving long-term impact.

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