Saeed Al Gergawi On Dubai Chamber Of Digital Economy’s Blueprint To Turn Dubai Into A Global Launchpad For Startups

SUMMARY

• DCDE’s vice-president, Saeed Al Gergawi assures that Dubai offers advanced digital infrastructure, clear regulation and strong global connectivity to startups
• Dubai serves growth-stage innovations through more than 20 specialised free zones and a network of incubators
• DCDE’s mission to boost Dubai’s digital economy and build the city as the global launchpad for high-potential digital startups, aligns with the D33 economic goal

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The global startup ecosystem is in the midst of a strategic realignment and one city has placed itself at the centre of this shift: Dubai. Driven by the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), the emirate is rapidly evolving from a regional commercial hub to a global launchpad for high-growth startups. 

The D33 Agenda involves the launch of projects that will drive sustainable economic growth through innovative approaches and double the city’s GDP by 2033, making Dubai the fastest, safest and most connected city in the world.

This transformation of the startup ecosystem is underpinned by a combination of pro-business policies, including an open policy on foreign ownership, zero personal income tax, an accessible visa regime, and an unparalleled quality of life, which have fuelled a 120% annual growth in advanced tech startups relocating to the city in 2024.

The data speaks volumes. The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy (DCDE) alone supported the establishment of 1,210 digital startups in 2024.

Leading this momentum is Expand North Star (ENS), the world’s largest startup and investor event, which recently concluded its 10th edition. The sheer scale of the 2025 event – hosting over 2,000 startups, 1,200 investors and 40 global unicorns – reinforced Dubai’s standing as the startup capital of the Middle East, Africa and South Asian region. 

Across the Arabian Gulf sits the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. The India-Dubai Corridor, or the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), is poised to emerge as a major bilateral innovation pathway. 

Indian startups are the largest foreign business entities in the city. Their participation at ENS increased by 33% in 2025, with over 300 Indian founders in sectors such as AI, SaaS, and healthtech leveraging Dubai’s specialised free zones and structured market access to scale globally. 

To understand the core strategy behind this explosive growth, Inc42 sat down with Saeed Al Gergawi, vice-president of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy (DCDE), to discuss the startup ecosystem in Dubai. DCDE’s mission to act as an ecosystem enabler, and the role of Indian startups in realising the city’s ambition to be a top-three startup destination by 2033.

He also highlighted DCDE’s top priorities for strengthening Dubai’s position as a global entrepreneurship capital in the next five years. 

Here are the edited excerpts from the conversation with Gergawi…

Inc42: How has Dubai’s startup ecosystem matured in recent years, and which categories of startups are contributing most significantly to its momentum?

Saeed Al Gergawi: Dubai’s startup ecosystem has matured into a fast-growing, and opportunity-rich environment. The city combines advanced digital infrastructure, clear regulation and strong global connectivity, enabling founders to scale into the Middle East, Africa and South Asia from a single base.

Artificial Intelligence continues to drive activity, reflecting Dubai’s ambition to become a global leader in AI-enabled industries. Climate tech, fintech, healthtech, SaaS, ecommerce, mobility, and deep tech also show strong momentum as companies respond to regional demand and Dubai’s strategic focus on future industries.

A major strength of the ecosystem is its diversity. Entrepreneurs from more than 200 nationalities choose Dubai as a launchpad because the city makes it easy to build, test, and scale innovative products with access to capital, talent, and corporate partners. With ongoing regulatory improvements and strong government support, Dubai is positioned to remain one of the world’s most attractive hubs for high-growth startups.

Inc42: What support do the government, incubators, and platforms like the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy (DCDE) provide to startups?

Saeed Al Gergawi: Dubai offers founders a highly integrated support system that addresses the full spectrum of entrepreneurs’ needs – from regulatory clarity and availability of finance to talent access and market expansion. More than 20 specialised free zones provide tailored infrastructure, sector-focussed advantages, and smooth company set-up processes. These are complemented by an extensive network of incubators, accelerators, and innovation districts that help founders build their businesses in a supportive environment.

DCDE plays a key enabling role within this ecosystem. Our work spans market entry, business setup, capacity building, investor access, and international outreach. Through the ‘Business in Dubai’ platform, startups receive end-to-end support on company setup and access to trusted service providers, as well as business matching services to help them connect with the right partners and customers. We also work closely with regulators to ensure that the business environment remains agile and future-ready, particularly in AI, fintech, and digital assets. 

Inc42: How would you define DCDE’s mission of making Dubai a global launchpad for startups?

Saeed Al Gergawi: Our goal is to accelerate the growth of Dubai’s digital economy and establish the city as the global launchpad for high-potential digital startups. We focus on attracting the world’s most promising digital companies, enabling founders to scale from Dubai, and developing the talent and innovation environment required for the digital industries to thrive.

DCDE works as an ecosystem builder. Our initiatives — such as global roadshows, Expand North Star, Create Apps in Dubai, Dubai Founders HQ, and Business in Dubai — are specifically designed to address the needs of startups at every phase of their journey. 

Our ambition is to ensure that when founders look for a place to build global companies, Dubai stands out as the location where they can scale faster, reach overseas markets, and tap into strong industry networks. This aligns directly with the objectives of the D33.

Inc42: DCDE supported more than 1,200 startups in 2024. What enabled this scale?

Saeed Al Gergawi: This level of impact reflects a multi-layered approach built on proactive outreach, ensuring a frictionless business environment, and promoting strong investor connectivity.

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