Dubai SME, Kitopi Launch New Founder Series for Emirati Culinary Entrepreneurs
Participants will receive access to Kitopi’s kitchens, customer base and delivery network, as well as mentorship, content production and marketing support.
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The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and Dubai-based food technology company Kitopi have launched the next phase of The Emirati Chef’s Table, introducing a three-month Founder Series for 12 Emirati chefs and culinary entrepreneurs.
The initiative expands on the program launched in 2025, which supported an initial cohort of five Emirati F&B entrepreneurs. The new Founder Series will run from September to November 2026, with 12 founders participating across three batches of four entrepreneurs each.
Participants will receive access to Kitopi’s kitchens, customer base and delivery network, as well as mentorship, content production and marketing support. Selected concepts will also be featured on Kitopi’s Eatopi menu, allowing founders to test their products in a commercial environment and reach customers directly.
The first batch, running from September 3 to October 2, includes Wadeema Abdalla, founder of dessert concept Saccharose Desserts; Rehab Al Ameri, founder of pizza concept Local Foundry; Abdulrahman Lootah, founder of contemporary comfort-food concept One Made; and Zainab Al Mousawi, founder of To The Moon & Back, which uses Emirati ingredients and flavors in contemporary dishes.
The four concepts are currently available through Eatopi. The second cohort will run from October 2-30, followed by the third from November 2-30, with the participating founders to be announced ahead of each launch.
Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, CEO of Dubai SME, said, “The Emirati Chef’s Table was created to give Emirati culinary entrepreneurs practical access to the expertise, platforms and market exposure needed to develop their businesses. Building on the initiative launched in 2025, this next phase expands that opportunity to 12 founders and provides them with a direct route to test their concepts and strengthen their commercial readiness.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and Dubai-based food technology company Kitopi have launched the next phase of The Emirati Chef’s Table, introducing a three-month Founder Series for 12 Emirati chefs and culinary entrepreneurs.
The initiative expands on the program launched in 2025, which supported an initial cohort of five Emirati F&B entrepreneurs. The new Founder Series will run from September to November 2026, with 12 founders participating across three batches of four entrepreneurs each.
Participants will receive access to Kitopi’s kitchens, customer base and delivery network, as well as mentorship, content production and marketing support. Selected concepts will also be featured on Kitopi’s Eatopi menu, allowing founders to test their products in a commercial environment and reach customers directly.
Entrepreneur Middle East Staff
Entrepreneur Staff
