“Future100,” a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Economy and the Government Development and the Future Office, has forged 25 strategic partnerships. These partnerships are aimed at supporting the top 100 emerging companies that play a vital role in bolstering the competitiveness of the UAE’s future economy sectors. The inaugural list of Future100 will be unveiled on World Futures Day, which coincides with December 2nd, the UAE’s National Day.
The strategic partnerships encompass a diverse range of organisations, including the National CSR Fund (Majra), and accelerators category such as the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Emirates NBD, Dubai Future District Fund, Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund, Microsoft, Careem, and FTI Consulting. The community partners category includes entities like Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus, Ajman Chamber, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), Abu Dhabi Business Platform, Mashreq Bank, Sandooq Al Watan, Khalifa Fund, Middle East VC Association (MEVCA), VentureSouq, Astrolabs, Flat6Labs, North Star, and the Greenhouse – Chalhoub Group, The Media Partners includes Entrepreneur Middle East.
These newly established partnerships are poised to achieve the initiative’s objectives, including enhancing readiness for the future, solidifying the UAE’s status as a hub for new economy companies, creating a conducive environment for the growth and prosperity of these enterprises, and expanding opportunities for their local and global development.
The partnerships bring with them a host of incentives and resources. These include the possibility of investing in companies that make it to the Future100 list, support for accelerating innovation and digital transformation, technical and legal assistance, competitive financing solutions, and workshops on intellectual property rights and trademark protection. Additionally, Microsoft for Startup Founders Hub will offer cutting-edge artificial intelligence services and expert guidance to foster innovation and sustainable growth among startups.
H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, said “In line with the directives of our wise leadership and the initiatives and economic policies adopted, the UAE has made significant strides in transitioning to a resilient, innovative, and sustainable new economic model. Launched last year, the ‘Future 100’ initiative is one of the most important initiatives supporting the country’s efforts to expand the new economic sectors and encourage companies to invest in them. Each year, the initiative highlights the top 100 UAE-based future enterprises that have contributed to promoting future economy sectors’ competitiveness in the country.”
“Today marks a key milestone in our journey towards developing this initiative. We have established new partnerships to support startups’ readiness to expand and invest in new economic sectors. This will help establish the UAE as a global hub for the new economy, in light of the objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.
Through this initiative, the Ministry of Economy and the Government Development and the Future Office continue to work to create more opportunities and support capabilities to enhance the country’s competitiveness in the future sectors,” H.E. added.
The Minister of Economy pointed out that the initiative aims to establish a more dynamic and attractive economy that stands out at the regional and global levels. It will drive the number of companies operating in the UAE, supporting the achievement of the national economic goals aimed at doubling the UAE’s GDP to reach AED 3 trillion by 2031.
