The United Arab Emirates continues to climb the ranks of the world’s most founder-friendly markets, buoyed by a surge in venture funding and a regulatory environment designed to accelerate high-growth companies.

New figures from Wamda show that startups across the Middle East and North Africa secured US$ 289 million in May, up 25 percent from April. The UAE accounted for US$ 86.7 million across 14 deals, reinforcing its leading share of regional investment.

That momentum is echoed at the institutional level. The Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF) disclosed that it secured US $1.65 billion in capital commitments during 2024, channeling resources to more than 190 portfolio companies focused on frontier technologies and digital services.

Abdumalik Mirakhmedov, director and co-founder of UAE-based Scalo Technologies, says the fund’s activity is part of a wider government playbook that lowers barriers for entrepreneurs. “A streamlined regulatory framework, zero personal income tax, and long-term visas remove much of the early-stage friction founders face elsewhere,” he noted.

Analysts add that the country’s value proposition extends well beyond funding:

These factors have made the UAE a preferred launchpad for regional and international startups seeking scale. “As more founders hunt for jurisdictions that combine stability with opportunity, the UAE’s ecosystem checks every box,” Mirakhmedov said.

Industry observers expect deal activity to remain robust through the second half of 2025 as sovereign funds, family offices, and overseas investors continue to scout the Gulf for high-growth assets.

UAE startups Dubai Future District Fund MENA venture capital Scalo Technologies Abdumalik Mirakhmedov tech ecosystem startup funding government policy fintech UAE AI innovation