Dubai, UAE, 23rd December 2025 – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is continuing to strengthen its position as a global centre for innovation, startups, and investment. With the MENA region seeing record startup funding, the UAE is at the forefront, providing resources, infrastructure, and support for new businesses to grow successfully.
Tech founder and entrepreneur Abdumalik Mirakhmedov, Co-founder of Scalo Technologies and Executive President of GDA, highlighted that the Emirates is actively shaping itself as a place where startups and new ventures can thrive. “Entrepreneurs and skilled people are coming from all over the world, and local talent is growing too,” said Mirakhmedov. “This is where projects take shape and move forward. Growth is steady, long-term, and supported by strong systems, infrastructure, and guidance.
The UAE’s startup ecosystem is flourishing. In September 2025 alone, MENA startups attracted $3.5 billion in investment, a huge increase of 1,105% compared to last year. Overall funding for 2025 reached $6.6 billion, surpassing most annual totals since 2021. Nearly a thousand startups, including five unicorns, are now operating in the UAE, showing how mature and supportive the ecosystem has become.
Major business milestones have highlighted the UAE’s growth. For example, Careem’s $3.1 billion sale to Uber in 2020 demonstrated that local companies can achieve big exits. International investment is also rising, such as Microsoft’s $1.5 billion investment in Abu Dhabi-based G42 this year, showing confidence in the UAE’s tech and innovation landscape.
Mirakhmedov emphasized that the UAE is not only attractive for business but also for living. “The country offers full foreign ownership, profit repatriation, and founder-friendly incentives. There are excellent schools, healthcare, safety, and a community of ambitious people. Entrepreneurs can build both a business and a quality life here.”
From government initiatives and supportive regulations to cultural strengths and global connectivity, the UAE is positioning itself as a world-leading hub for innovation and startups. Recent initiatives like ‘The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World’ reflect the nation’s commitment to helping entrepreneurs and new industries succeed.
“Entrepreneurs seeking opportunity without compromising quality of life will find the UAE is the place where the next generation of industries and businesses is taking off,” Mirakhmedov concluded.
