Future100 initiative discusses fostering innovation in tech and sustainable ventures and enhancing UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem

H.E. Alia Al Mazrouei:

- The UAE, under the guidance of its wise leadership, has successfully established an attractive and competitive environment for startups and entrepreneurial ventures from around the world.

- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 94% of all businesses operating in UAE markets.

- Entrepreneurs must take advantage of the enablers and incentives provided by the UAE’s new entrepreneurship ecosystem through the Future100 initiative.

Sarah Shaw:

• Future100 companies were among the first to receive the Sustainable Impact Project seal from Majra, recognizing their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
• The number of startup applications in the sustainability and environmental sectors has increased by 43% under the Future100 initiative.
• The initiative's discussion sessions focused on key topics aimed at driving startup growth, including:

>>The role of accelerators and incubators in supporting AI-driven and advanced technology startups.

>>Financing strategies reshaping the future of entrepreneurship, with a focus on digital transformation, operational efficiency, and digital solutions.

>>Emerging market shifts and the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in reshaping the economic landscape of the region.

>>Innovative investment strategies and their role in expanding business operations in future economic sectors.

• Showcases new models for innovative financing solutions for entrepreneurs and the economic empowerment of women.
• Inspiring investment success stories from Future100 companies highlighted
• Key role of women entrepreneurs in driving economic growth and fostering a balanced entrepreneurial and family-oriented environment highlighted

The Future100 initiative reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the growth of SMEs in future economy sectors in the UAE, fostering a comprehensive investment ecosystem aligned with technological advancements, and enhancing economic growth opportunities. This commitment aims to drive a transformative shift in the UAE's economy and solidify the country's position as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

It was highlighted during the initiative’s discussion sessions held on February 26 and 27, attended by H.E. Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship; H.E. Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future; along with a diverse group of entrepreneurs, startups, investment funds, business incubators and accelerators, and global companies specializing in technology and innovation.

These discussions took place as part of Investopia 2025, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, and Chairman of the Presidential Court.

The initiative featured 15 sessions with 48 distinguished speakers including ministers, senior officials, and industry experts. Discussions revolved around key topics such as artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, tech-driven entrepreneurship, the future of SMEs, innovative investment strategies, the role of innovation and technology in financial models, and mechanisms to support SMEs in expanding within the new economy. Additionally, the sessions highlighted the critical role of female entrepreneurs in generating tangible positive impacts on society and the national economy.

Future100 Companies: Shaping the UAE’s Future Economy

The opening session featured H.E. Alia Al Mazrouei and Sarah Shaw, Executive Director of the National CSR Fund (Majra). It highlighted the initiative’s role in empowering promising enterprises in future economic sectors, particularly the new economy, and explored strategies for supporting entrepreneurship and ensuring its sustainability. The speakers also emphasized the initiative’s contribution to reinforcing the UAE’s global standing as a premier business hub.

Boosting the Future Economy

During the session, H.E. Alia Al Mazrouei emphasized that the Future100 initiative has become a key enabler for the growth of the UAE’s new economy. The initiative aims to accelerate the growth of high-potential SMEs in key future economy sectors and support their expansion into regional and global markets.

She highlighted that thanks to the UAE’s visionary leadership, the country has successfully established a competitive legislative framework that attracts entrepreneurs and startups worldwide, providing the necessary initiatives and enablers for their success. SMEs currently account for 94% of all businesses in the UAE, with 25,000 SMEs founded by Emirati youth in 2024 alone. The UAE is home to over 50 government and private business incubators and accelerators, contributing to its recognition as the best global destination for business and economic activities in 2024, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). The UAE also ranked first globally in the GEM Entrepreneurship Index for 2023-2024 for the third consecutive year, excelling in key indicators such as financing, market accessibility, and government support.

H.E. Al Mazrouei underscored that developing national entrepreneurship is a strategic priority for the UAE. It forms a core pillar of the country’s economic agenda, led by the Ministry of Economy, in collaboration with federal and local government entities, the private sector, and academic and research institutions.

She also outlined the UAE’s new entrepreneurship ecosystem initiatives, designed to enhance the country’s competitiveness and increase the success rate of entrepreneurs from 30% to 50% by the next decade. Notable initiatives include Riyada Fund, which allocates AED 300 million to support entrepreneurial ventures and the UAE Entrepreneurship Council, which aims to unify national efforts to accelerate SME growth and strengthen collaboration between key stakeholders. In this context, she encouraged entrepreneurs and startups to leverage these enablers and incentives, along with the Future100 initiative.

Role of Startups in Addressing Critical Challenges

Sarah Shaw emphasized that companies within the initiative were among the first to receive the Sustainable Impact Project Seal from Majra, an accolade recognizing organizations committed to sustainability and social impact. It demonstrates that the participating companies' dedication to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles, enhances their resilience when addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges.

She also noted a 43% increase in sustainability and environment-focused startup applications under the Future100 initiative, reflecting the maturity of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and its alignment with the UAE Green Agenda 2030.

Cisco Digital Innovation Award

A session titled "Cisco Digital Innovation Award: Recognizing Excellence in Innovation" showcased Cisco’s Product Innovation Lab, launched in partnership with the Ministry of Economy to enhance the capabilities of SMEs through innovative solutions. The session featured Bassam Shaker, General Manager of Creative Advanced Technologies.

Emerging Technologies and Accelerating the Future

In a session titled "Accelerating Future: Transforming Growth through AI and Emerging Technologies," key industry leaders, including Ahmed Alwan (CEO of Hub71), Mohammed Al Blooshi (CEO of Dubai International Financial Centre Innovation Hub), and Mansoor Jafar (CEO of Abu Dhabi Global Academy), discussed the role of accelerators and incubators in supporting AI-driven and advanced technology startups. The panel explored financing strategies, expansion opportunities, and emerging market trends in sustainable technologies.

Future of Technology Entrepreneurship

Another session titled "Coming of Age: Technology and Entrepreneurship Are Changing the Face of MENA" discussed the transformations of emerging markets and the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in reshaping the region’s economic landscape. It also reviewed success stories, challenges, and future opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Innovations Leading the Future of Technology

A session titled "Crimson Founders Demo Session: Startups with Founders from MIT and Harvard" reviewed the projects of 6 leading startups founded by MIT and Harvard graduates, where the founders presented innovative solutions for artificial intelligence, energy, biotechnology, financial technology, government and security.

The session was attended by entrepreneurs and investors, including Arya Bolourfrushan, Founder of Applied AI; Sebastian Manay, Founder of Amplified Industries; Gabriel Levesque Tremblay, Founder of Heximbio; David Brown, Founder of Helix Carbon; Tim Cargol, Founder of Spectrohm, Inc.; Leo Menduk, Founder of ML Tech. Anousheh Kalantari, Founder of Crimson Founders, moderated the discussion, which considered future trends in these sectors and the role of innovation in reshaping the global economy.

Closed Session ‘Fast Forward Challenge’

The event organized a closed session titled ‘DHL Forward Challenge,’ which showcased its winners. The challenge is a distinctive program from DHL to support startups in the logistics sector. The session included an interactive dialogue about innovations and strategies that are reshaping the sector’s future, with a focus on digital transformation, operational efficiency, and advanced technology solutions.

Irina Albanese, Head of Innovation Center in the Middle East and Africa at DHL; Anjan Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of Greendzine; Somaya El Sherbini, Co-Founder and CEO of Opus Talent Analytics; Ben Kloss, Director of Plug and Play; Daniel Lawrie, CEO of Udelv; and Ritukar Vijay, Co-Founder and CEO of Ottonomy, attended the session.

Sessions on day 2 of the Future100 event

The session “Funding the Future: Innovative Models for SME Finance” addressed how SMEs can obtain the necessary financing to benefit from advanced technologies. The speakers also discussed the importance of technology in simplifying financing processes, how to integrate strategic partnerships to create a more comprehensive and dynamic financing system, and the implications of this on supporting the financing of these companies. The session was attended by Farooq Siddiqui, Head of Projects at SC Ventures; Francesco Velea, CEO of Vasanara Capital; and moderated by Anthony O’Sullivan, Managing Partner of Ernst & Young in the UAE.

Empowering Women Professionally and Family

Given the pivotal role of women in building a balanced society, a session titled “Empowered and Enabled: Women Entrepreneurs Driving Impact” was held with the participation of Maha Al Gergawi, Vice President of the Business Community Support Sector at Dubai Chambers; Her Excellency Salama Al Amimi, Director General of the Family Care Authority in Abu Dhabi; and Dana Kamali, Head of the Business Sector at the National Social Responsibility Fund Majra, and who is the first Emirati woman to be ranked among the “Most Influential CSR Leaders” worldwide.

The session discussed the importance of creating a supportive environment for women’s entrepreneurship, with the need to strike a balance between professional and family life for female entrepreneurs, in addition to discussing the essential factors that empower women in the field of business by enhancing investment opportunities and providing legislative and social support, with a focus on the role of the UAE in enhancing a supportive system for them, including investment opportunities, businesses, and social policies that support entrepreneurship and family well-being.

Advanced Financing Solutions from Wio Bank

The event featured a dialogue session with Jayesh Patel, CEO of Wio Bank, on the financing solutions provided by Wio Bank for small and medium-sized enterprises. The session addressed the importance of investing in innovators in the UAE and focused on the contributions of entrepreneurship in shaping a promising future for the country and the region. Patel reviewed Wio Bank’s role in providing innovative financing solutions that enhance growth opportunities for emerging companies.

Investment Strategies to Unleash the Potential of New Economy

A session titled “Investing in Tomorrow: Unlocking the UAE’s New Economy Potential” reviewed innovative investment strategies and their role in expanding companies’ businesses in future economic sectors, particularly in industries focused on artificial intelligence, modern technologies, and financial technology. Participants discussed the importance of funding investments that would reshape long-term economic growth strategies, with the participation of several speakers, including Walid Mansour, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Middle East Venture Partners; Julian Plozo, Senior Partner at Eurasia Capital; Tiffany Payne, Portfolio Development Manager at Dubai Future District Fund.

Investment Success Stories Shaping the Future of the 100

The Future100 session concluded in parallel with the end of the fourth edition of Investopia 2025, with a dialogue session titled, “Catalysts of Success: Investment Stories That Shape the Future100”, with the participation of Tarek Othman, Co-Founder and Commercial Director at Abro Company; and Haitham Al-Riyahi, Co-Founder and CEO of Sirka Biotech. Sonia Gokhale, Founder and General Partner at Venture Market moderated.the session

It highlighted inspiring investment stories from companies in the Future100 initiative, where entrepreneurs reviewed their investment journeys and the strategies that enabled them to obtain funding and accelerate their growth. The stories presented emphasized that investment opens new horizons for success and paves the way for achieving distinguished achievements in an advanced economic environment.