UAE’s Future 100 Recognises Third Cohort, Opens Registration for New Edition

The UAE’s Future 100 initiative has recognised its third cohort of 100 companies operating in new economy sectors and opened registration and nominations for its next edition this October.

The recognition ceremony took place during Investopia Bridge 2026 in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Co-Chair of Investopia.

A joint initiative of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the Government Development and the Future Office, Future 100 supports innovative businesses by connecting them with investment opportunities, specialised expertise and networks to facilitate growth and expansion.

Future 100 Companies Attract $100 Million in Investments

Bin Touq said the UAE was committed to helping startups and new economy companies expand through an integrated ecosystem of legislation, incentives, funding opportunities and business support programmes.

Since its launch, the initiative has helped attract $100 million in investments through its partners, benefiting more than 53 companies enrolled in the programme, according to the minister.

He said the initiative supports the objectives of the We the UAE 2031 vision by strengthening the country’s position as a global hub for the new economy.

The initiative aims to help promising businesses translate innovative ideas into commercially viable ventures, establish strategic partnerships and access new markets.

Registration Opens for New Edition

Future 100 has opened registration and nominations for its next edition this October, inviting startups and entrepreneurial projects operating in new economy sectors to apply.

Selected companies will be able to access the initiative’s partner network and programmes designed to support business development, investment readiness, expansion and market access.

Applications are assessed across four key areas: creative capability, market potential, business model sustainability and scalability, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact.

The selection process is intended to identify companies with innovative solutions, sustainable business models and the potential to scale across local and international markets.

Nuwa Capital, Global Ventures and Carta Join Network

Future 100 announced three new partnerships through memoranda of understanding signed on the sidelines of Investopia Bridge 2026.

• Nuwa Capital: The partnership will support the growth and expansion of listed companies, promote the Future 100 network, contribute to applicant evaluations and explore business development opportunities.
• Global Ventures: The venture capital firm will support business development and partnerships, assist in evaluating applicants and commit to investing at least $1 million in one or more companies joining the initiative.
• Carta: The partnership will provide specialised services covering fundraising readiness, valuation, compliance and ownership management. It will also offer training and mentorship programmes, alongside a 25% discount on the platform’s annual subscription during the first year.

The partnerships are intended to expand the resources available to participating businesses as they seek investment, strengthen operations and pursue growth opportunities.

New Report Tracks Company Growth and Innovation

The initiative has also launched a report examining the development of participating companies, including their sectors, business models, achievements and growth trajectories.

The report provides data on the distribution of companies by sector and growth stage, while highlighting the role of supporting partners in creating investment, business development and market expansion opportunities.

It also examines the technologies, solutions and business models being developed by participating businesses, offering an overview of innovation across the UAE’s new economy ecosystem.

Future 100 Network Expands to 42 Partners

Future 100’s partner network has grown to 42 organisations, spanning government entities, financial institutions, venture capital firms, technology companies, accelerators and incubators.

Key partners include Majra – National CSR Fund, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Dubai Future District Fund, Emirates NBD, Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund, Microsoft, Careem, Investopia, EY, in5, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and DIFC Innovation Hub, alongside the newly announced partners.

According to the initiative, these partnerships provide participating companies with access to investors, financial institutions, specialised expertise, business development support and new commercial networks.

Across its first three cycles, Future 100 has recognised 300 companies from 3,395 applications, including 1,282 applications in the third cycle.

Seventeen Sectors Covered by Future 100

The initiative covers 17 sectors, including space, biotechnology, sustainability and the environment, health technology, human resources technology, renewable energy, creative industries, agri-tech, education technology, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, food technology, fintech, smart mobility, legal technology and proptech.

It also encompasses emerging technologies and business models such as e-commerce, 3D printing, the Internet of Things, Web3, robotics, the metaverse, AI-enabled services and blockchain.

By recognising companies across these fields and connecting them with investment and business support, Future 100 aims to strengthen the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and accelerate the development of its new economy.