Leaders of Dubai-based unicorn companies have said the emirate continues to reinforce its position as a global centre for digital innovation and technology-driven growth, supported by its regulatory framework, infrastructure, and talent ecosystem.
Digital growth hub
Senior executives said Dubai has developed into a key base for high-growth digital businesses, offering an environment that supports innovation and international expansion. They noted that the emirate has moved beyond being a business setup destination and is now seen as an active enabler of the global digital economy.
They also highlighted the coordination between public and private sector entities, including the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, operating under Dubai Chambers. According to them, clear regulations, access to decision-makers, and a connected business environment are helping companies scale faster.
Kitopi perspective
Mohamad Ballout, CEO and Co-founder of Kitopi, said Dubai’s ecosystem has played an important role in the company’s expansion. “Dubai’s digital ecosystem has been a major enabler of our growth. The city offers a strong combination of forward-looking regulation, world-class infrastructure, access to exceptional talent, and a business environment that makes it easier to build, test, and scale quickly. Its connectivity to regional and global markets has also been critical as we’ve expanded our ambitions beyond the UAE.”
He added:
“Dubai is not only resilient; it is one of the most future-focused places in the world to build a digital business. It combines speed, ambition, and openness to innovation in a way that is hard to match, making it a powerful launchpad for companies looking to create and scale globally.”
Property Finder view
Fernando Fanton, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Property Finder, said Dubai has become a place where companies can build and scale entire industries.
“Dubai is no longer just a place to set up a business; it is the place to build the future of your industry. It offers a unique combination of speed as a strategy and resilience by design. Anchored by initiatives like the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and a digital-first approach, Dubai provides an ecosystem where clear frameworks, trusted stakeholder networks, and coordinated platforms enable innovation at scale.”
He added: “Milestones such as the 100% paperless government, the growth of AI and Web3 in real estate, and forward-looking programmes under the Dubai Digital Strategy demonstrate how the city not only simplifies business but empowers companies, investors, and regulators alike to make intelligence-led decisions, maximise impact, and expand globally. For tech leaders and innovators seeking to scale, Dubai offers the structure, momentum, and insights to turn ambition into tangible growth.”
Fanton said Dubai’s ecosystem has supported Property Finder’s AI-driven development, including tools such as SuperAgent and Credit Optimiser, enabled by regulatory clarity and partnerships with entities such as the Dubai Land Department and investors including Mubadala, Blackstone, and Permira.
Deep tech focus
Roman Axelrod, Founder and Managing Partner at XPANCEO, said Dubai’s focus on advanced technologies sets it apart from other global hubs.
“Dubai offers a rare combination of well-known factors: tax incentives, strong government backing, and world-class infrastructure. What truly sets the emirate apart is its strategic prioritisation of deep tech, science, and AI as the core pillars of its economy. Our business is inherently complex and demands a sophisticated support system. It requires seamless logistics, a steady pipeline of world-class talent, and deep integration with academic institutions.”
He added: “Dubai has become a unique global crossroads where business, science, and government operate in true synergy, providing the fertile ground necessary to scale intricate, high-stakes innovations. We experience this firsthand. Collaboration with Dubai Chambers, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, and the University of Dubai, as well as participation in major international tech conferences and access to global talent, allows us to scale at a pace that would take years elsewhere.”
Axelrod also pointed to wider UAE initiatives in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, including AI data centres, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, and the development of an AI-native government model.
He said Dubai is increasingly attracting global technology firms and research institutions, supported by long-term investment strategies and a focus on innovation-led growth.
“The ecosystem here is designed to support ambitions that unfold over decades, not just fiscal quarters. The real question for founders today is no longer whether Dubai can sustain ambitious scientific research and development; it’s whether your own ambition is bold enough to keep pace with Dubai’s vision.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
