MBZ Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center (MIEC)
MBZ Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center (MIEC) at Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence is designed to accelerate the innovation and adoption of artificial intelligence in the business sector by facilitating the journey from ideation to start-up creation.
MIEC offers a series of dedicated initiatives and programmes, including:
- comprehensive entrepreneurship courses for business knowledge and local market insights
- AI engineering support through a unique venture lab model
- funding opportunities
- computing resources
- real-world start-up insights from those with a successful tech space
- networking events to empower aspiring innovators transform their ideas into thriving companies.
Read news coverage on the website of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.
Area 2071
Overseen by Dubai Future Foundation, Area 2071 is a unique ecosystem that nurtures global talents to start and grow their business in the UAE. Members of Area 2071 have access to a network of strategic partners, entrepreneurs and investors.
Area 2071 offers subsidised licensing fees to all startups and entrepreneurs. The fees amount to AED 1,000 annually for a commercial licence allowing the entrepreneur to conduct three activities within the same segment.
Registered businessowners will have a 3-year business licence with for operation within Area 2071 and Dubai Development Authority (DDA), known before as Dubai Creative Clusters Authority (DCCA).
To register in Area 2071, companies must have an initial approval from Dubai Future Foundation Program.
Learn more how to start your business in Area 2071.
Long-term visa
Area 2071 incubates entrepreneurs who own an established business with a minimum capital of AED 500,000 in a field approved by Ministry of Economy. Such entrepreneurs have an opportunity to acquire a 5-years visa, with the possibility to qualify for permanent residency visa if the same original conditions of the investor are met. Learn how to apply for UAE long-term visa through Area 2071.
Hub71, a business incubator
The Abu Dhabi government established Hub71 to support technology startups in the emirate by attracting top venture capital funds and investors to increase the pool of capital available for startups and venture capitals in Abu Dhabi.
Hub71 collaborates with major business stakeholders such as Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Mubadala Investment Company and other key business players to foster the next generation of tech innovators and startups.
Hub71 offers incentive monetary programmes with 100 per cent and 50 per cent subsidies for early and emergent stages of startups.
To be considered for the incentive programme, companies should:
- be sure to generate high growth
- target a large user base
- provide transformative technologies
- have secured VC funding in the last three years
- set up a meaningful presence at Hub71.
Hub71 initiative is part of Ghadan 21, a AED 50 billion investment stimulus fund launched by H. H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
Start-up incubators
- A guide to Dubai’s start-up incubators - Invest in Dubai
- Support for start-ups and SMEs - Invest in Dubai
- Certified business incubators
- Business incubators - Sharjah SME Ruwad.
Fazaa Center for Business Incubators and Accelerators
In July 2020, the UAE launched the Fazaa Center for Business Incubators and Accelerators to provide logistical support, training, qualification, studies and consultancies to Emirati entrepreneurs. The centre enables them to establish their projects through their services that help them to overcome the challenges of managing, financing and marketing entrepreneurial business ventures.
Establishment of research and innovation hubs
Innovation Hub
Innovation Hub has been designed to engage with people of varying levels of skill and confidence and features a program of activities that challenge participants of all ability levels, allowing them to progress at rates that suit them.
The Hub equips youth with the skills needed to develop mobile applications, design products, produce prototypes, and develop an understanding of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. In addition, the hub runs a programme of Tech Talks, featuring technology experts, practitioners and entrepreneurs. The Hub welcomes learners from diverse backgrounds, including teachers, school age children (from age 8 upwards), university/vocational students and members of the community interested in developing their understanding of the latest technologies. Prior knowledge of the subjects taught at the Hub is not required.
Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park)
Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park) is another innovation hub. It is focused on promoting research, technology, and innovation in various fields, including healthcare, energy, environment, and technology. The institution aims to create a collaborative platform for academic institutions, businesses, and government agencies to work together in order to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
SRTI Park provides a range of facilities and services to its members, including cutting-edge laboratories, research and development facilities, training programmes and funding opportunities. The institution's goal is to create a knowledge-based economy in the region by promoting research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. SRTI Park is committed to supporting the UAE's vision of becoming a global leader in science and technology.
Science and Innovation Park (SIP)
The mission of the Science and Innovation Park is to lead innovation and encourage an entrepreneurial environment in the UAE. It seeks to do so by creating an active and productive link between national and international stakeholders, by supporting the production and commercialisation of innovative products, and by helping to develop tomorrow’s business leaders.
Areas of focus
SIP focuses on:
- Leadership: To inspire, engage, coach and guide Emirati students, graduates from UAE universities and investors to play a leading role in the development of a knowledge-based economy through developing a training and mentoring program.
- Commercialisation: Support the commercialization of new ideas, products and inventions by providing emerging business talent with the skills, startup support and advice.
- Partnerships: To become a bridge between stakeholders by developing a network of national and international partners.
Stimulating Innovation in the UAE’s Economic Sector
Ministry of Economy has adopted innovation as a methodology in all areas of its work and made it an integral part of its strategic objectives. It is keen to provide an incubating and stimulating environment for innovation, and to launch initiatives, strategies and programmes that consolidate and spread the culture of innovation at the national level. The ministry has included innovation in its corporate vision: Building a diversified global competitive economy based on knowledge and innovation and led by national competencies.
Agenda of Ministry of Economy
The agenda of Ministry of Economy is to:
- spread the culture of innovation by organising events and activities, which contribute to making the UAE among the most innovative countries in the world.
- support innovation and creativity by facilitating the registration of patents and intellectual works as well as reducing the costs for innovators and creators.
- support scientific research and creativity through cooperation with academic institutions which are the first incubator for creative ideas and innovations.
- encourage the transformation of innovative ideas into commercial activities that benefit companies and enhance the UAE’s competitiveness in innovation indicators.
- support the improvement of the quality and performance of local products to raise the competitiveness of national companies in the local and foreign markets.
- promote the opportunities of transition to a knowledge-based economy in order to achieve the goals of the UAE Centennial 2071 and the Fifty Economic Plan.
Updated On :
14 Aug 2025
