Dubai has increasingly emerged as a prime hub for entrepreneurs looking to establish businesses and expand into global markets. The city’s unique blend of economic flexibility, advanced regulatory framework, and access to capital and talent positions it as a favorable environment for startups. As businesses seek to build success stories beyond geographical boundaries, Dubai’s strategic initiatives and visionary economic outlook aim to optimize innovation and technology, further solidifying its reputation as a leading destination for entrepreneurship and growth.
On Tuesday, the “Zik Chain 2026” summit kicked off in Dubai, featuring a select group of investors, financial institutions, and entrepreneurs to discuss the future of digital assets and financial technologies and to enhance collaboration among various stakeholders. More than 4,500 participants and 50 global speakers attended the event. Several experts and participants emphasized that emerging entrepreneurs are increasingly looking to Dubai, viewing it as one of the most attractive environments for building companies and expanding into global markets, driven by a mix of economic flexibility, advanced regulatory frameworks, and the availability of capital and talent.
They noted that Dubai today is more than just a regional market; it is a global platform from which startups can create success stories that transcend geographical boundaries, supported by a clear economic vision that anticipates the future of innovation and technology. They pointed out that the UAE has successfully established a unique model for entrepreneurship based on openness, inclusivity, and rapid decision-making, making it a preferred destination for startups in the fields of fintech and digital assets at a time when transformations in the global digital economy are accelerating.
Integrated Model
Abdulrafeh Jadit, co-founder and head of global markets at Zik Chain, stated that the UAE “represents an integrated model of excellence in supporting startups,” emphasizing that the Emirati environment excels in its ability to attract talent from over 100 countries, along with providing clear regulatory pathways that allow companies to test their business models and expand with confidence. He revealed that the 2026 edition of the summit recorded more than 4,500 participants, with over 50 global speakers, despite regional challenges, reflecting strong international confidence in Dubai’s market.
Regulatory Frameworks
Jonathan Dwyer from Disrupt noted that the UAE offers “an exceptional environment for building global companies,” explaining that the speed of company formation, along with clear regulatory frameworks, gives startups a competitive advantage for rapid launch. He added that Disrupt committed in March 2025 to invest $100 million to build AI-based technology companies at a global level, focusing on launching from the region, supported by previous successes, including the sale of CloudWise for $350 million to DigitalOcean.
Mohammed Ali Youssef, CEO of Fuse, confirmed that the UAE has become a major center for digital assets and financial technology, noting that the company grew from 3 employees to over 100 in three years, achieving a 300% growth last year. He added that Fuse raised approximately $25 million in funding and expanded into international markets, benefiting from the UAE’s strategic location that allows access to over two billion consumers in nearby geographic areas.
In this context, Zakaria Mahdadi from Nawa for Financing explained that the biggest challenge facing startups is securing funding and building scalable ideas, noting that support from investors, especially international ones, is a critical factor in the success of companies. He revealed that the platform recorded around $200,000 in closed assets on its first day of launch, indicating market interest in alternative financing solutions.
Ammar Al-Ansari, CEO and co-founder of Abi Financing, asserted that Dubai has transformed into a global platform for building companies, mentioning that the company achieved revenues of $85 million over five years, with continued growth and profitability. Al-Ansari clarified that international expansion has become a necessity for startups in the UAE due to the limited size of the local market, but he emphasized that the country provides a regulatory and cultural environment that facilitates this expansion, along with its ability to attract global talent.
Confidence and Future Vision
The speakers agreed that recent geopolitical challenges have not negatively impacted entrepreneurs’ confidence; rather, they have strengthened their belief in the resilience of the UAE’s economy and its ability to recover swiftly. They confirmed that the continuation of international events, the influx of investments, and the return of economic activity to its normal pace reflect the robustness of Dubai’s economic environment and enhance its status as a global center for entrepreneurship.