UAE Strengthens Position as Hub for Company Formation, Entrepreneurship

The UAE continues to position itself among the world’s leading destinations for company formation and entrepreneurship, specialists and business executives said, citing advanced legislative and regulatory reforms, digital infrastructure and government-backed initiatives supporting startups and investors.

This comes after the UAE ranked first in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report 2025–2026 for the fifth consecutive year and placed among the top five globally in the StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index, ranking first regionally.

In a report from WAM, Diana Cichy, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CICHE International Trade and Investment, said the UAE’s strategic location linking Europe, Asia and Africa has helped strengthen its role as a base for trade and investment, supported by air connectivity that enables access to global markets.

Cichy pointed to policies such as free zones, full foreign ownership and residency incentives as key factors supporting business growth and expansion.

She added that the government’s plans to expand the use of artificial intelligence in public services and strengthen private sector readiness in the field reflect long-term efforts to modernize the economy.

Meanwhile, Willem van Wyk, Managing Director of HDI Global’s Dubai office, said the country has developed into a regional fintech hub, supported by institutions such as the Central Bank of the UAE, Dubai International Financial Centre and Abu Dhabi Global Market. He added that startup growth is increasingly measured by the ability to scale securely and sustainably as embedded finance, artificial intelligence and open finance models expand.

Aaqib Gadit, Founding Partner at Disrupt.com, said the UAE offers startups access to capital, infrastructure, and global markets, adding that the company chose to operate in the UAE over hubs such as San Francisco and London due to fewer barriers in setting up and scaling businesses.

Among the government initiatives supporting entrepreneurship include Emirates Growth Fund, which supports the expansion of Emirati companies in sectors such as manufacturing, food and agriculture, healthcare and advanced technology; the Khalifa Fund, which provides financing and business support services for small and medium-sized enterprises; Hub71, a global tech ecosystem connecting startups with investors and partners to help them scale; and the Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund, which supports entrepreneurs and innovators through funding and advisory programs.

Moreover, Dubai Entrepreneurs Campus, a joint initiative between Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, recently completed the first phase of its business accelerator programs.