H.H. Sheikh Mohammed launches campaign for Emirati entrepreneurs

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has unveiled a national campaign to attract 10,000 Emirati entrepreneurs and create 30,000 new jobs by 2030.

Making the announcement on his official social media handles, Sheikh Mohammed said it will open up new economic opportunities, and raise societal awareness of the importance of capitalising on the nation’s rapid economic growth.

It's aimed at strengthening the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, and will be supervised by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in collaboration with the UAE Government Media Office and the UAE Entrepreneurship Council.

Titled 'The Emirates: The Startup Capital of World', the initiative will provide training for 10,000 Emiratis through a unified programme and see the participation of more 50 public and private sector entities.

"Today, we have 50 business incubators across the country, and our national economy is home to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that contribute more than 63 per cent of our non-oil GDP," Sheikh Mohammed said.

"Our goal is to encourage more young people to establish their own companies, contribute to the nation’s economic development, and seize the vast opportunities offered by our dynamic national economy."

Mohammed bin Rashid: Today, we have 50 business incubators across the country, and our national economy is home to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that contribute more than 63% of our non-oil GDP. Our goal is to encourage more young people to establish their own… pic.twitter.com/iXPzI8mped

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 21, 2025

The StartupEmirates.ae Digital Platform, launched in partnership with the New Economy Academy, will provide free mentorship programmes for 10,000 entrepreneurs, with the aim to create 30,000 new jobs by 2030. It will offer shared workspaces, business networking events and cross-border partnerships.

The Entrepreneurship Programme will train 10,000 Emiratis with both foundational knowledge and practical skills. It will include a beginner track focused on essential concepts and practices for aspiring entrepreneurs and an advanced track covering the full journey from business setup to sustainable growth and global expansion.

The Specialised Content Creator Programme will train 50 Emirati content creators in economics and entrepreneurship.

The Project Management Experts Programme will qualify and license 500 Emiratis in residential construction project management. It will empower them to oversee the entire lifecycle of housing projects—from planning to execution—and will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to support homeowners in building their residences.

The UAE Tax Agent Programme will licence 500 certified Emirati tax agents through an intensive programme over three years. It will include VAT Diploma, Corporate Tax Diploma, implemented in collaboration with the Federal Tax Authority and the New Economy Academy.

The initiative will support the launch of 250 full-time Emirati real estate companies by incubating and supporting them. These companies will operate as licensed agencies, not just independent brokers.

The Young Entrepreneurs & Graduate Business Expo will promote entrepreneurship across all educational institutions in partnership with the Ministry of Education. Along, with a dedicated expo for graduate entrepreneurs to showcase their business projects to investors, potential partners, and support organisations, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.