Dubai Founders HQ has onboarded about 500 startups and 1,500 members within 50 days of launch, underscoring Dubai’s push to strengthen its startup and SME ecosystem.

The initiative will prioritize scalable, globally oriented startups, guided by momentum and emerging opportunities, while staying open to a wide range of sectors.

There is currently no joining fee for startups at Dubai Founders HQ, located at 25Hours Hotel One Central, though a nominal membership model could be considered later based on eligibility.

Launched as a joint venture by Dubai Economy and Tourism, the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, at the direction of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, to advance Dubai’s D33 agenda and pursue the goal of 30 unicorns by 2033 and overall growth of the economy.

Officials say the program aims to help startups scale beyond Dubai by offering sector-specific content, events, and a strengthened funding landscape through partnerships with VC firms, banks, and other investors.

In the first nine months of 2025, Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy supported 582 firms, with 21% focused on artificial intelligence, signaling strong demand in Dubai’s digital economy.

Eligibility targets two audiences—local Dubai-based startups and international companies—using Dubai Founders HQ as a centralized soft-landing entry point with potential redomiciling or presence in Dubai and access to a broader partner network.