Latest news with #DubaiFutureAccelerators
Time Business News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Dubai: The Smart Move for Europe's Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
More and more young founders in Europe are asking the same question: should we move to Dubai? For a growing number, the answer is yes. Dubai is fast becoming the next launchpad for startups ready to go global. Let's start with the obvious. Dubai is built for business. You can set up a company in days. You can own it fully. You can send profits home. And you won't pay income tax. It's not just about money, though. Dubai is serious about backing new ideas. The government wants entrepreneurs to build there. So they're making it easy to do just that. Dubai has free zones. These are special areas where rules are lighter and support is stronger. Some are made for tech. Others focus on media, healthcare, or finance. Each has its own benefits—things like office space, visa help, and fast approvals. If you're building a startup, you want flexibility. You don't want to get buried in red tape. Dubai gets that. That's why many founders look into business setup in Dubai as a smart first step. Look at a map. Dubai is in a sweet spot. It connects Europe, Asia, and Africa. Over 3 billion people are within a short flight. That's a huge market reach for startups that want to scale. It also has world-class airports and ports. If your business depends on moving goods, few places make it easier. The UAE is safe. It's politically stable. The economy is strong and growing. The local currency is tied to the US dollar. That cuts risk for foreign founders. In short, you can plan ahead. And that's a big deal when you're running a business. Dubai is going all-in on the future. It wants to lead in AI, smart services, clean energy, and fintech. The government is investing in these areas. That means more funding, more programs, and more partners for startups that fit the bill. Got a startup in sustainability or tech? Dubai is not just open to you—it's hungry for what you're building. Dubai has built strong networks for funding. Programs like Hub71 and Dubai Future Accelerators connect startups with real money. Venture capital firms and angel investors are active and available. And since there's no capital gains tax, more people are willing to invest. That gives founders more shots to raise funds and grow fast. One major plus: the UAE offers long-term visas to entrepreneurs. You can stay for five or ten years if you meet simple conditions. That kind of security is rare in most countries. You also don't need a local partner to own your company. That means full control of your business and decisions. Europe and the UAE already do a lot of business together. Trade between them is worth over €50 billion a year. If you're a European founder, you'll find plenty of familiar faces and partnerships in Dubai. And you won't feel out of place. Over 200 nationalities live and work in the city. English is widely spoken. Services cater to expats. You'll hit the ground running. Let's be blunt. The UAE's tax policy is a game-winner. This keeps overhead low and margins healthy. That helps startups stay lean, test ideas fast, and invest more in growth. Dubai works best for startups that have seen early wins. If you've raised a seed round or hit Series A, and you want to grow, Dubai gives you tools to move fast. You can scale up operations, hire global talent, and access new markets without the mess. Even if you're at pre-seed, the support is still solid. But the real gains come when you're ready to grow. It's not just tech bros and crypto startups. Founders in AI and software. Teams in health tech and clean energy. SME owners in food, fashion, and fitness. Investors looking for low-tax bases. Creatives building brands and content. Dubai welcomes all of them. The city wants business. If you're bringing ideas, they want you there. No place is perfect. Dubai has its rules and ways of doing things. You'll need to understand local laws. You'll also want good advisors, at least early on. But most hurdles are easy to clear—especially compared to slower systems in some parts of Europe. Dubai isn't just a place to expand. It's a place to build faster, smarter, and bigger. If you're a founder looking to go global, don't wait until you 'make it.' Move when you're ready to grow. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Dubai's Design Thinking Transformation: An Emerging Global Model for Smart Governance
Dubai's Design Thinking Transformation (ET Spotlight) 29:45 Min | May 19, 2025, 12:02 PM IST Live, Work & Play in Dubai – Ft. Vera Futorjanski In this forward-looking episode of Live, Work & Play in Dubai, we're joined by Vera Futorjanski—global innovation strategist and founder of Veritas Ventures—to discuss Dubai's evolving approach to embedding innovation within governance. The episode dives into how Dubai transformed itself into a testing ground for emerging technologies by incorporating foresight tools such as scenario planning and future trends analysis into public policy design. ...Read More Futorjanski recounts the early days of Dubai Future Accelerators, where government entities partnered with global startups to pilot technologies such as blockchain and experimental concepts like the Hyperloop and urban air mobility. She also reflects on Dubai's emphasis on public-private experimentation and cross-border collaboration, and how the city has emerged as a leader in the UAE's policy-driven innovation push, with growing global visibility.. The episode is a deep dive into how long-term strategic planning paired with agile execution can influence urban development in the digital age, shaping the cities of tomorrow. ...Read Less
Campaign ME
22-04-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
How SMEs can practically and affordably implement AI
I have spent a good part of the last year speaking with dozens of SMEs across the Middle East. From small business owners expanding their Riyadh‑based restaurant franchises to import‑export firms in Sharjah, and from real estate agencies in Dubai to business‑setup companies in Business Bay, almost without exception they lament the hours lost to repetitive tasks, routine shipping and billing status enquiries, manual paperwork and endless follow‑ups. When I demonstrate how a simple AI‑powered assistant can take on these tasks via WhatsApp or an AI tool, their scepticism dissolves into genuine excitement. What once felt prohibitively complex and costly now sits within reach of any enterprise, however modest its resources. Here's how SME's can practically and affordably implement AI: Policymakers across the Gulf and North Africa recognise that small and medium‑sized enterprises are the backbone of their economies and must be brought into the digital fold. The UAE's National AI Strategy 2031 commits to transforming the country into a global AI powerhouse, with dedicated funding for smaller businesses. In Abu Dhabi, Hub 71 and Dubai Future Accelerators provide cloud credits, technical mentorship and pilot funding, while Saudi Arabia's SDAIA runs parallel initiatives under Vision 2030. These schemes have created an environment in which AI adoption for SMEs is not merely possible, but essential to maintaining a competitive edge. The most successful AI adopters I have worked with tackle a single, concrete challenge rather than embarking on an all‑encompassing technological overhaul. I recently supported a real‑estate agency in Dubai by deploying a WhatsApp chatbot that schedules viewings, sends property brochures and follows up on hot leads, freeing agents to focus on negotiation and client relations. I have also seen a business‑setup consultancy automate its company‑formation paperwork, generating draft documents in seconds instead of hours, and a marketing and social‑media firm use AI to monitor engagement metrics across Instagram and LinkedIn, granting the team time to craft richer creative campaigns and experiment rapidly. Affordably implementing AI Contrary to lingering myths, implementing AI does not demand hefty infrastructure investments. Today's market offers a range of accessible solutions that make it affordable on an SME budget. Cloud‑based AI‑as‑a‑service platforms hosted in regional data centres operate on pay‑as‑you‑go pricing that scales with usage. Open‑source solutions such as TensorFlow and PyTorch boast active regional developer communities and steady support for Arabic‑language processing. A thriving network of local start‑ups specialises in region‑specific applications, from customs‑document summarisation to sentiment analysis on social media, often at price points far more accessible than international enterprise licences. Crucially, government‑backed programmes, from Dubai Future Accelerators to Hub 71 and SDAIA's SME grants, underwrite cloud credits, mentorship and pilot funding designed to de‑risk early experimentation. Yet technology alone is only half the equation. The true differentiator lies in empowering people to embrace change. Upskill existing teams Rather than competing for scarce AI specialists, SMEs can upskill existing teams through short, intensive workshops and regional training programmes. Initiatives such as One Million Arab Coders and many online courses equip staff with the fundamentals of conversational AI, prompt engineering, data analysis and model building. Partnerships with technology hubs in Cairo, Jeddah and Dubai enable companies to draw on seasoned mentors on demand, avoiding the overhead of large in‑house teams while still accessing critical expertise. Embedding ethical and regulatory compliance from the outset is equally important. As the UAE finalises its AI Ethics Guidelines and Saudi Arabia prepares a similar framework, SMEs enjoy the advantage of building responsible practices from scratch. A commitment to data minimisation, collecting only what is strictly necessary, paired with transparent communication about how customer information is used, lays the foundation for lasting trust. Regular audits of AI outputs ensure fair treatment across languages, genders and backgrounds, while simple feedback mechanisms foster an ongoing dialogue that strengthens both the technology and the brand. A deliberate, phased approach to AI should never lose sight of measurable outcomes. I encourage business owners to launch an eight to ten‑week pilot with a modest budget, focused on metrics such as enquiry response times, improved customer service or the accuracy of shipment‑delay forecasts. Weekly reviews and small course corrections keep teams accountable and maintain momentum. When these pilots yield improvements, it is vital to celebrate success internally by sharing stories in newsletters, on LinkedIn and at regional events. Ultimately, AI in the Middle East is not a futuristic aspiration but a strategic necessity that SMEs can implement today. By concentrating on practical applications, exploiting accessible technologies, investing in people and upholding ethical standards, small businesses can transform AI from a buzzword into an everyday driver of efficiency, growth and customer delight. The real winners will not be those who deploy the most advanced algorithms, but those who integrate AI most intelligently, one step at a time, guided by clear objectives and genuine business needs. By Abrar Siddiqui, CEO & Co-founder, SarahAI
Mid East Info
24-03-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Majra– National CSR Fund successfully hosts ‘Impact Lab', unites influential leaders to explore CSR and sustainability opportunities and enablers in UAE
H.E. Abdulla bin Touq: The UAE is committed to embedding CSR culture and principles within the national economic framework. The 'Impact Lab' focused on encouraging the private sector to adopt global best practices across the domains of CSR and sustainability The event was attended by representatives from several government agencies, and private sector companies, as well as leading experts from around the nation MAJRA – National CSR Fund successfully hosted the 'Impact Lab,' a workshop that brought together influential leaders from public, private, and other sectors to explore CSR and sustainability opportunities and enablers in the private sector across the UAE. Held at the Dubai Future Accelerators, the workshop provided a dynamic platform for shaping business strategies to integrate CSR and sustainability into the business landscape. The 'Impact Lab' featured keynote addresses from distinguished figures, including H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of Majra's Board of Trustees; and Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra. In his address, His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to embedding CSR and sustainability culture and principles within the national economic framework, highlighting the significance of responsible business practices as a strategic necessity for ensuring long-term resilience of the national economy. H.E. added: 'The UAE is at the forefront of CSR and sustainability efforts as business leaders are empowered and incentivised to contribute to these efforts, thereby securing the future of their industries and driving sustainable social and economic development across the UAE.' The 'Impact Lab' served as a strategic forum for co-designing and developing an initial comprehensive enablers framework (both financial and non-financial) to encourage private sector companies to adopt CSR and sustainability global best practices. Discussions during the workshop focused on a wide range of topics such as creating a robust and effective financial and non-financial opportunity and enablers package for CSR and sustainability-driven businesses. By co-designing an initial criterion for companies to qualify for CSR and sustainability in enablers and crafting a strategic roadmap for the implementation of a robust enablers framework in line with the UAE's CSR and sustainability goals. During the event, Sarah Shaw underscored the significance of collaboration between government policy makers, industry leaders, and active change agents in shaping a bright future that prioritises CSR and sustainability. She added: 'CSR and sustainability are not merely a challenge; they are a significant opportunity for positive impact. By embracing responsible growth, we are not just building a resilient business but are collectively shaping the future history of the UAE.' The 'Impact Lab' saw active participation from leading government entities such as Ministry of Community Empowerment, Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation, Ministry of Economy, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Minister of Climate Change & Environment and Minister of Finance in addition to leading private sector companies, industry experts, all working together to define actionable steps that will fortify the UAE's position as a global leader in CSR and sustainable business practices. As Majra continues to lead several CSR and sustainability initiatives, the insights and outcomes from the 'Impact Lab' will be instrumental in shaping future policies and incentives/enablers structures that foster responsible corporate behaviour and the future impact-based economy of the UAE.
