Latest news with #DubaiFutureDistrictFund
Business Recorder
20 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Dubai Future District Fund supported 190 startups in 2024
The Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF) reported over $1.65 billion in capital commitments and support for more than 190 portfolio companies in 2024. The support came in the form of both direct investments and 12 'Fund of Funds' initiatives, which DFDF in a statement on Tuesday said aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). The figures were released during the Fund's Annual General Meeting. DFDF, whose founding shareholders are Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubai Future Foundation and whose fund size is AED 1 billion, said its efforts reinforced its role in advancing technology, talent, and venture capital in the region. Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy backs 127 startups in Q1 Khalfan Belhoul, DFDF Board of Directors Chairman and CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, said: 'These achievements underscore the central role that the Dubai Future District Fund plays in driving the growth of Dubai's digital economy – one that thrives on innovation and leverages the latest future technologies across key sectors.' Meanwhile Arif Amiri, DFDF Board Member and Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority said, that 'as the Fund continues to position Dubai as a global pioneer for innovation, we are more committed than ever to cultivating collaboration with partners globally who are also committed to driving future economic growth.' Pakistan's tech startups shine at Dubai's GISEC In 2024, DFDF 'went beyond its core investment activities' to showcase how venture capital can serve as a conduit for public-private collaboration and scalable innovation, it said. DFDF invest in funds in early to growth stages, across key sectors in technology that align with Dubai's Economic Agenda D33, including PropTech, HealthTech, LogisticsTech, DeepTech, Circular Economy and Web3. According to its website, it aims to do this 'by boosting venture capital availability through our Fund of Fund investments into local, regional, and international funds, as well as co-investing in their portfolio of startups.' The website explains that DFDF's fund structure is evergreen, which means 'we are not beholden to the 10-year lifespan of a typical VC fund, which allows us to focus on investing into opportunities with various return horizons and take a longer-term view on returns.'
Fintech News ME
a day ago
- Business
- Fintech News ME
Dubai Future District Fund Backs Over 190 Startups in 2024, Raises Over $1.65B
At its Annual General Meeting, the Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF), anchored by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), shared key updates from its 2024 performance. The meeting highlighted a year marked by strategic growth, closer alignment with Dubai's economic goals, and steps towards supporting a resilient and inclusive innovation environment. The AGM also set the tone for DFDF's direction in 2025, which has been nationally designated as the Year of the Community. In reference to the UAE's declaration of 2024 as the Year of Sustainability, DFDF reiterated its focus on long-term value creation, responsible innovation, and community-focused investment. Over the course of the year, the Fund strengthened its partnerships with founders, investors and stakeholders addressing real-world challenges, reinforcing its dual role as both a capital provider and a facilitator within the broader ecosystem. The Board of Directors reported that DFDF supported more than 190 portfolio companies through a combination of direct investments and 12 Fund of Funds initiatives. These funds collectively secured over US$1.65 billion in capital commitments by the end of 2024. The Fund also maintained its alignment with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), contributing to the development of the technology, talent and venture capital landscape in the region. Khalfan Belhoul, Chairman of the DFDF Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Future Foundation, said: 'These achievements underscore the central role that the Dubai Future District Fund plays in driving the growth of Dubai's digital economy, one that thrives on innovation and leverages the latest future technologies across key sectors.' In 2024, DFDF extended its efforts beyond investment, aiming to demonstrate the broader role of venture capital in fostering public and private collaboration and scalable innovation. The Fund published a number of value creation case studies in cooperation with institutions across various sectors, underscoring its expanding function as a strategic enabler. Engagements included exploratory partnerships with the Dubai Land Department and Dubai Health, designed to connect government priorities with startup-led solutions. The Fund also piloted projects with Nestlé and AWS to identify opportunities for technology adoption and business enablement. These activities form part of DFDF's wider aim to convert capital into tangible outcomes, supporting not only financial returns but also operational value, strategic direction and innovation capacity among stakeholders in the region's future economy. Looking towards 2025, DFDF signalled a renewed emphasis on building connections across the innovation ecosystem, in line with the UAE's Year of the Community theme. The Fund aims to enhance linkages between founders and funders, startups and regulators, and regional and global networks. 'Innovation thrives not in isolation, but within inclusive, connected communities,' said Arif Amiri, DFDF Board Member and Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority. 'As the Fund continues to position Dubai as a global pioneer for innovation, we are more committed than ever to cultivating collaboration with partners globally who are also committed to driving future economic growth.' For 2025, DFDF will focus on expanding capital deployment, prioritising investments that contribute to ecosystem development and economic resilience. It also plans to increase engagement across the innovation community, using dedicated platforms to bring together leading founders, investors, operators and policymakers.
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Dubai Future District Fund drives $1.65bln in capital commitments, powers over 190 startups
3 June 2025 14:33 DUBAI (WAM) The Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF), which is anchored by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), reported a year of strategic growth in 2024, including over $1.65 billion in capital commitments and support for more than 190 portfolio figures were released during the Fund's Annual General Meeting, where the Board of Directors reported progress across its investment mandate. The Fund supported over 190 portfolio companies through both direct investments and 12 Fund of Funds initiatives, which aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).The Fund said these efforts reinforced its role in advancing technology, talent, and venture capital in the Board of Directors Chairman and CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, Khalfan Belhoul, said, 'These achievements underscore the central role that the Dubai Future District Fund plays in driving the growth of Dubai's digital economy – one that thrives on innovation and leverages the latest future technologies across key sectors.'DFDF Board Member and Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, Arif Amiri, said, 'Innovation thrives not in isolation, but within inclusive, connected communities.''As the Fund continues to position Dubai as a global pioneer for innovation, we are more committed than ever to cultivating collaboration with partners globally who are also committed to driving future economic growth.'In 2024, DFDF went beyond its core investment activities to showcase how venture capital can serve as a conduit for public-private collaboration and scalable Fund published value creation case studies in partnership with key institutions across sectors – spotlighting its growing role as a strategic enabler. With the UAE's announcement of 2025 as the Year of the Community, DFDF outlined a renewed commitment to building stronger bridges across the innovation landscape – between founders and funders, startups and regulators, and the region and global markets.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Dubai Future District Fund drives $1.65bln in capital commitments, powers over 190 startups
DUBAI - The Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF), which is anchored by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), reported a year of strategic growth in 2024, including over US$1.65 billion in capital commitments and support for more than 190 portfolio companies. The figures were released during the Fund's Annual General Meeting, where the Board of Directors reported progress across its investment mandate. The Fund supported over 190 portfolio companies through both direct investments and 12 Fund of Funds initiatives, which aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). The Fund said these efforts reinforced its role in advancing technology, talent, and venture capital in the region. Khalfan Belhoul, DFDF Board of Directors Chairman and CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, said, 'These achievements underscore the central role that the Dubai Future District Fund plays in driving the growth of Dubai's digital economy – one that thrives on innovation and leverages the latest future technologies across key sectors.' 'Innovation thrives not in isolation, but within inclusive, connected communities,' said Arif Amiri, DFDF Board Member and Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority. 'As the Fund continues to position Dubai as a global pioneer for innovation, we are more committed than ever to cultivating collaboration with partners globally who are also committed to driving future economic growth.' In 2024, DFDF went beyond its core investment activities to showcase how venture capital can serve as a conduit for public-private collaboration and scalable innovation. The Fund published value creation case studies in partnership with key institutions across sectors – spotlighting its growing role as a strategic enabler. With the UAE's announcement of 2025 as the Year of the Community, DFDF outlined a renewed commitment to building stronger bridges across the innovation landscape – between founders and funders, startups and regulators, and the region and global markets.
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE startup ecosystem climbs to 21st in global rankings
1 June 2025 23:51 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)The UAE has climbed two spots in the latest Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025, ranking 21st globally and securing its position as the top-ranked Arab country for entrepreneurship. This marks the sixth consecutive year of advancement for the UAE in the global index, reinforcing the nation's steady rise as a premier destination for annual index, published by global research platform StartupBlink, evaluates over 1,000 cities and 100+ countries based on ecosystem strength, infrastructure, startup activity and 2020, the UAE has rocketed up the rankings, moving from 43rd to 21st in just five years. A leap that, the report says, was driven by aggressive investment, regulatory reform and public-private collaboration. The UAE also remains the number one startup ecosystem in the Arab League, although the competition is UAE's ecosystem is especially strong in fintech, where it ranks 14th globally, and Blockchain, where it holds an impressive 7th position worldwide. The report said these sectors have been key to establishing the country's digital economy as one of the most dynamic in the MENA continued to lead the UAE's innovation surge, ranking 44th globally, a jump of six places from last year. Over the past six years, Dubai has climbed an astonishing 95 spots, thanks to aggressive funding initiatives like the Dubai Future District Fund and infrastructure hubs such as Dubai Internet Abu Dhabi is quickly closing the gap. The capital surged 20 spots to 175th globally, driven by a nearly 50% ecosystem growth rate. The report noted Initiatives like Hub71 and ADQ's DisruptAD for their vital role in fostering a competitive ecosystem, especially in biotech and also made headlines, recording the biggest jump among UAE cities. It soared 98 spots to 762nd place globally, with a growth rate of nearly 46% - a sign of the emirate's emerging potential. The report said institutions like the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) and the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park are key to this high-profile startups were highlighted as examples that cemented the UAE's credibility on the global stage. Careem, the region's first unicorn, set the precedent with its $3 billion acquisition by Uber. Others like Kitopi, Tabby, G42 and Andalusia Labs have joined the unicorn club, while global tech firms such as Telegram have chosen to relocate their headquarters to Dubai, which the report said underscored the UAE's strategic the report highlighted the introduction of founder-friendly policies including long-term Golden Visas, flexible business licensing, and regulatory reforms like the updated bankruptcy law as key to helping attract and retain talent. It noted that even the introduction of a 9% corporate tax in 2023 had not seemingly deterred investment, with the rate still among the most competitive globally. The report said that despite challenges such as the high cost of living and legacy regulations, the UAE's startup sector shows no signs of slowing.
