du has announced a strategic partnership agreement with DIFC Innovation Hub to launch the ‘du Business Entrepreneurship Programme’, designed to provide substantial support to entrepreneurs and startups, focusing on cutting-edge programmes and initiatives that encourage innovation within the UAE’s business ecosystem.
Anchored within the DIFC Innovation Hub at ‘Innovation One’, the ‘Entrepreneurship Hub’ serves as a professional epicentre for SMEs and startups. A curated schedule of workshops, aligned with the aspirations of the entrepreneurial community, solidifies du’s strategic position in supporting the UAE’s progressive economic ambitions.
The programme aims to elevate SMEs by focusing on scalability and accessibility, teaching them to adapt their operations for growth with flexible telecom and workspace solutions. It seeks to enhance digital literacy among SMEs by providing practical training in communication, marketing and cybersecurity, thereby increasing productivity and fostering innovation.
Additionally, SMEs will learn to integrate the latest technologies, such as AI, to enhance competitiveness and streamline operations. The programme also guides SMEs through the digital transformation process, covering strategic planning, technology adoption and organisational change management, to leverage technology for sustainable growth in today’s rapidly evolving business environment.
Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Executive Officer at du, said: “In alignment with our strategic objectives, du is proud to cement a partnership with DIFC Innovation Hub, marking a shared commitment to fostering entrepreneurial environment in the Middle East. This initiative is a part of our mission to bolster the regional economy through the empowerment of SMEs and start-ups. The du Business Entrepreneurship Programme is primed to serve as a catalyst, offering a suite of resources, expert mentorship and dynamic networking conduits. We are poised to facilitate growth and development across the start-up ecosystem, contributing to the sustained economic diversification and innovation that characterises the UAE national vision.”
Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, commented: “SMEs and start-ups are the backbone of Dubai’s economy and the driving force behind innovation and job creation. DIFC is already home to over 1,000 FinTech and Innovation companies and an ever-evolving ecosystem driving the future of finance. The next generation of leaders taking part in the ‘du Business Entrepreneurship Programme’ will benefit from access to this growing community of world-leading talent as they come together to unleash their growth potential.”
The partnership will involve a robust framework of collaborative efforts to create synergies between the two organisations, leveraging du’s capabilities as a telecommunications leader and DIFC’s expertise as a global financial hub.
Participants in the ‘du Business Entrepreneurship Programme’, will benefit from access to the Dubai AI Campus’ nurturing ecosystem for AI businesses and leading talent driving the future of innovation in AI.
In line with the D33 agenda’s objective on developing the SME scale-up programme, the ‘du Business Entrepreneurship Programme’ will curate a series of highly specialised workshops to enable AI transformation within the SME and start-up sector in the UAE. The workshops will focus on themes around optimising customer acquisition using AI technologies, building and maintaining CRM systems, adopting emerging technologies, improving customer engagement, optimising back-office efficiency and much more. Going beyond promoting collaboration, the du Business Entrepreneurship Programme is driven by du’s commitment to facilitating entrepreneurial success.
