Dubai is doubling down on its ambition to become a global startup powerhouse. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy have entered a multi-year strategic partnership with global venture capital firm Antler to launch a new entrepreneurship residency program in the emirate.
The initiative will be hosted at the recently established Dubai Entrepreneurs Hub, positioning the city as a launchpad for early-stage, VC-backed technology startups. Over the coming years, the program is expected to upskill more than 600 entrepreneurs and catalyze the creation and funding of a new generation of startups in Dubai.
Powering the D33 Vision
The partnership reinforces Dubai’s long-term economic roadmap under the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy by 2033. A core objective of the agenda is the creation of 30 new unicorns and the expansion of globally competitive companies rooted in Dubai.
Established in late 2023, the Dubai Entrepreneurs Hub serves as a centralized platform connecting founders with investors, corporations, and ecosystem enablers. By embedding Antler within the Hub, Dubai is strengthening its founder-to-funding pipeline at the earliest stages of company building.
Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation at DET, noted that the collaboration aligns with the leadership’s directive to equip entrepreneurs with the infrastructure, confidence, and sustainable support needed to build globally competitive ventures. Partnering with Antler, he emphasized, enhances Dubai’s ability to support founders from idea stage to scalable enterprise.
Antler’s Zero-to-One Model Comes to Dubai
At the heart of the initiative is Antler’s globally recognized residency model, designed for founders at the very earliest stages. The program helps entrepreneurs refine ideas, meet co-founders, build MVPs, and secure pre-seed investment.
Participants will gain access to Antler Academy, a structured learning platform powered by Antler’s international network of investors, mentors, and technology partners. The goal: transform individual talent into investable companies through a clear, execution-focused pathway.
Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, described the collaboration as a qualitative leap for Dubai’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, blending global venture-building expertise with the integrated support model of the Dubai Entrepreneurs Hub.
Embedding Global Capital into Dubai’s Ecosystem
As part of the agreement, Antler has officially opened its UAE office within the Dubai Entrepreneurs Hub. This move places Antler’s investment and program teams directly inside Dubai’s startup ecosystem, accelerating access to capital, mentorship, and structured venture development.
Magnus Grimeland, Founder and CEO of Antler, highlighted Dubai’s growing role as a global hub for AI-driven innovation, pointing to the emirate’s strategic focus on empowering founders. He described the partnership as a shift from vision to execution, creating a structured path for entrepreneurs to build the future of the digital economy from Dubai.
Applications for the residency program are now open to entrepreneurs from the UAE and internationally who are looking to build and scale their ventures from Dubai.
About the Dubai Entrepreneurs Hub
Launched in 2023 by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the Dubai Entrepreneurs Hub acts as a central ecosystem platform supporting startup growth in alignment with the D33 agenda.
About Antler
Founded in 2017, Antler is a global early-stage venture capital firm investing in transformative technology companies. With offices across six continents and more than 1,000 portfolio companies worldwide, Antler backs exceptional founders building the next generation of global businesses.
