DUBAI: The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, part of Dubai Chambers, has helped 215 new digital startups grow in Dubai during the first half of 2024. This is a huge increase, up 212% from the 69 startups they supported in the same period last year. These startups now have a combined market value of about $7 billion.
In the first six months of 2024, the chamber trained 243 Emiratis through the ‘Create Apps in Dubai’ programme. This initiative, launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, aims to boost local app development skills.
The chamber also organised 12 international roadshows to promote the Expand North Star event, which is the world’s biggest gathering of startups and investors. This event will take place in October, hosted by the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.
Additionally, the chamber was involved in 15 local and international events as an organiser, partner, and participant during this period.
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Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, said the goal is to make Dubai a leading global hub for the digital economy. This effort supports the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), aiming to add AED 100 billion to the emirate’s economy each year through digital projects.
The ‘Create Apps in Dubai’ initiative is focused on training 1,000 Emiratis and aims to triple the number of app developers by 2025. It also seeks to support 100 new national app projects.
The chamber signed four agreements with partners, including one with Enterprise Ireland, to enhance Dubai’s digital business environment and foster growth in the tech sector. They also published two reports on the success of scaleups and foreign investment in the MENA region.