The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in collaboration with the New Economy Academy and Ignyte platform, launched an ambitious Entrepreneurship Programme aimed at training 10,000 Emiratis through comprehensive in-person and virtual courses designed to equip participants with skills to launch scalable ventures. The initiative forms a cornerstone of the national campaign “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World,” launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to reinforce the UAE’s global leadership in entrepreneurship.
The programme launch event in Dubai brought together key government and business leaders including Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism; Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai International Financial Centre Authority; and Dr. Laila Faridoon, Chief Executive Officer of the New Economy Academy. This high-level backing demonstrates the UAE’s strategic commitment to developing homegrown entrepreneurial talent as part of broader economic diversification efforts beyond oil-dependent industries.
The Entrepreneurship Programme offers two comprehensive tracks: a three-day “Essentials of Entrepreneurship” course and a six-day “Complete Entrepreneurship” masterclass providing both fundamental and advanced training. Participants will gain hands-on experience in building business models, analyzing markets, developing financial plans, and pitching to expert panels. The curriculum covers critical topics including business formation laws, market validation, marketing strategies, and investor pitching, ensuring graduates are equipped with practical tools for startup success.
Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh emphasized that the initiative reflects the UAE’s leadership vision to establish the country as the world’s capital of entrepreneurship and innovation. “We believe that investing in our youth and empowering them with modern knowledge tools is the cornerstone for creating a sustainable and competitive creative economy,” Al Saleh stated. “Training 10,000 Emiratis in entrepreneurial skills is a strategic move to drive our national talent’s contribution to economic development while empowering them to launch high-impact ventures that contribute to diversifying our national economy”.
The partnership with DIFC’s Ignyte platform provides participants access to Dubai’s established fintech and innovation ecosystem, which has positioned Dubai among the world’s top four cities in fintech. Arif Amiri highlighted that attracting 10,000 participants underscores the nation’s commitment to building a new generation of entrepreneurs capable of driving economic transformation in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) objectives. The programme represents a unique opportunity for Emirati youth to transform their ideas into innovative, scalable ventures through proven methodologies.
The programme schedule begins with the Essentials of Entrepreneurship course running remotely on November 16-17 and in-person at the New Economy Academy in Emirates Towers on November 18. The Complete Entrepreneurship masterclass, described as one of the largest of its kind in the region, spans six days with remote sessions on December 8-9 and 12, plus in-person training on December 10-11 and 15. Both programmes combine theoretical knowledge with practical workshops led by leading entrepreneurship experts across the UAE.
Dr. Laila Faridoon, CEO of the New Economy Academy, emphasized that the programme will equip Emirati youth with tools to translate ideas into tangible business ventures while cementing the UAE’s position as the destination of choice for entrepreneurs and investors worldwide. By training 10,000 citizens in entrepreneurship, the UAE aims to accelerate SME contributions to its knowledge-based, diversified economy while ensuring Emiratis play a leading role in building the next generation of startups that can compete globally while contributing to the UAE’s non-oil GDP growth.
