The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has reported a remarkable 135 percent increase in support for startups, assisting 127 new ventures in their launch or expansion during the first quarter of 2025. This surge underscores the chamber’s dedication to establishing Dubai as a leading global hub for technology startups.

In Q1 2025, the chamber coordinated four key events aimed at fostering the local business ecosystem. These initiatives focused on empowering startups, nurturing talent, cultivating partnerships, and enhancing the overall ease of conducting business in Dubai.

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy

Additionally, the chamber's digital upskilling programs reached 729 participants, equipping specialized talent in advanced technology sectors and preparing a future-ready workforce.

Through its "Business in Dubai" platform, the chamber has continued to aid companies keen on launching or expanding in the emirate. This platform offers a holistic suite of institutional services and matchmaking opportunities to connect businesses with appropriate partners, investors, and clients.

In the first quarter of this year, the chamber expanded its network with the addition of 20 new service partners, bringing the total to 114 partners across diverse service categories.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, noted, "The chamber is dedicated to positioning Dubai as a global leader in the digital economy, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. We aim to create an integrated digital ecosystem supported by world-class infrastructure, fostering both emerging and established digital enterprises, enabling their global reach from Dubai while driving innovation across the economy."

He further emphasized, "Our focus is on accelerating digital transformation and enhancing Dubai’s status as a prime destination for technology investment, innovation, and digital talent, while generating solutions that contribute significantly to economic and social development."

Throughout Q1 2025, the chamber organized 12 international roadshows to showcase Dubai’s advanced digital business ecosystem, notably promoting Expand North Star, the world's largest startup and investor event. This represents a significant rise from the three roadshows conducted during the same timeframe last year.

The 2025 edition of Expand North Star will be hosted at Dubai Harbour from October 12 to 15, organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre and supported by the Chamber of Digital Economy.

The first promotional campaign in the United States, which spanned Las Vegas, Phoenix, and San Francisco, engaged over 200 participants from various facets of the startup, investment, and tech ecosystems.

Subsequent efforts moved to Canada, with events in Toronto, Mississauga, and Vancouver, where more than 350 entrepreneurs, startup founders, investors, accelerators, and digital policymakers participated, discussing the advantages of Dubai as a hub for digital business growth.

In March, a campaign was also conducted in Australia, with Sydney and Melbourne hosting events that attracted around 400 tech stakeholders, including startups, investors, and technology firms.