UAE vision, innovation-driven policies empower startups to scale new heights, say entrepreneurs

MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)

With strategic government backing, a thriving startup ecosystem, and unmatched global connectivity, the UAE is staking its claim as the “Startup Capital of the World”.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, recently launched “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World” campaign – a strategic initiative to accelerate entrepreneurship and innovation.

The campaign aims to empower Emirati youth to launch globally competitive ventures through an integrated ecosystem of specialised programmes and initiatives.

It brings together over 50 incubators and accelerators, supported by a wide network of public and private sector partners, academic institutions, and innovation hubs.

But beyond policy and programmes, the UAE’s rise as a startup hub is best told through the experiences of entrepreneurs shaping its future.
UAE: ‘Where the Impossible Becomes Possible’Aletihad spoke to Abdulaziz bin Redha, co-founder and CEO of HyveGeo. The climate-tech startup, part of Hub71’s ClimateTech ecosystem, cultivates microalgae in the desert – harnessing sunlight, arid land and wastewater – to boost food security and capture carbon dioxide.

“The speed in which we move, the strength of the ecosystem, and the depth of government support have been decisive for HyveGeo,” the Emirati entrepreneur said. “The UAE gives founders direct access to decision-makers, faster regulatory clarity, and a community that is committed to scaling new ideas. This momentum is hard to replicate elsewhere.”

Government support through programmes such as Hub71, Reyada and Catalyst has been vital to HyveGeo’s growth, providing international exposure, access to investors, and alignment with national climate priorities.

Abdulaziz noted that the UAE’s position as a gateway to both mature and emerging markets combined with its entrepreneurial spirit give startups a distinctive edge. Risk-taking is part of the national mindset here, he believes.

“Because government policies and strategic targets are aligned, companies like ours can move fast, progressing from pilot to contracting to scale with unmatched speed,” he said.

“If the world says it is impossible, come to the UAE where the impossible becomes possible,” Abdulaziz tells aspiring entrepreneurs.

This conviction drives HyveGeo’s mission to terraform deserts, regenerate ecosystems, and remove carbon at scale – tackling challenges many consider unachievable, but ones they are empowered to address here in the UAE.

The Promise of Accelerated Growth Matt Spriegel, co-founder and CEO of Atiom, believes the UAE offers a rare ecosystem where ambition meets execution.

Atiom, a behavioural technology platform leveraging AI-driven microlearning and gamifications, now operates in over 70 countries after tapping into Abu Dhabi’s tech ecosystem and its investor network through Hub71.

“The UAE offers a top-down commitment to innovation that is difficult to match anywhere else,” Spriegel told Aletihad.

He noted that government-backed initiatives in the UAE such as Hub71 have provided infrastructure, funding, structured mentorship, and industry connections that enabled Atiom to secure major clients and accelerate its growth timeline in a way Europe cannot.

Spriegel believes the UAE’s location, multicultural environment, and strategic vision give local startups an edge: “If Atiom can solve problems for the UAE’s frontline workforce, which is arguably one of the most diverse in the world, we can solve them anywhere and that’s gives us a global edge.”

Five years from now, he estimates that Atiom will be at $10M ARR, the category leader across APAC and MENA.

“The UAE will have matured into one of the world’s most important startup hubs, anchored by policies that attract both capital and talent. I see more unicorns born here, and more global companies using the UAE as a base to scale outward.”

Why Abu Dhabi is the ‘Capital of Capital’Aletihad also spoke to Jay Sadiq, Founder and CEO of FortyGuard, a company pioneering AI-driven solutions to combat urban heat and improve city liveability. 
With backing from Abu Dhabi’s Hub71, it has gained access to vital investments and global partnerships that fast-tracked its commercialisation.

“The UAE has given us a unique runway to scale urban heat intelligence,” he said. “Regulations like the federal data protection law and ADGM’s GDPR-style framework provide clarity for handling sensitive environmental and geospatial data, while space-sector rules support our satellite-driven models.”
Sadiq agreed that one of the rare advantages Abu Dhabi offers startups is speed.

“Free zones and accelerators give founders a head start with fast company setup, visas and tax incentives, while Hub71 and Masdar City open doors to capital, partners and customers.”

Abu Dhabi wears the crown of the “Capital of Capital” for a reason. Sadiq pointed out that the UAE capital gathers sovereign wealth funds, VCs, family offices, and corporates, all looking to back innovation. 
“The government itself is a partner, investing in leading multinationals and building AI alliances like the Microsoft-G42 deal that bring world-class infrastructure to the UAE,” he added.

“That mix of regulatory clarity, capital access, and global connectivity makes it one of the most competitive launchpads for scaling deep-tech companies like ours.”

A Bridge between East and WestSam Morris, founder and CEO of Flinki, believes the UAE offers founders a culture of possibility.
Flinki is a free UAE-built platform that unites the sports and fitness communities by combining achievements, events, coaching, gear and connections in one trusted space.

“Building Flinki in the UAE has meant not just starting a company, but joining a thriving ecosystem that accelerates growth, embraces big ideas, and supports founders who are ready to think globally,” he told Aletihad.

For Morris, what makes the UAE ideal for startups is its location as a bridge between East and West, a diverse talent pool, world-class infrastructure, and visionary leadership.

Government support – evidenced in its flexible free-zone structures, investment platforms, and global networking opportunities, further strengthens its appeal, he said.