The Dubai International Financial Centre’s Innovation Hub has announced an exciting new partnership aimed at bridging the gap between Dubai and the promising entrepreneurial markets of the Global South. By collaborating with Foundation Hub in Sulaymaniyah, the initiative seeks to establish a structured innovation pathway that connects Dubai with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, facilitating a connection between start-ups, investors, corporations, and global markets.
Program Details and Opportunities
The programme will feature specialised workshops in the Kurdistan Region designed to identify and select high-potential start-ups. Participants will benefit from mentorship provided by industry experts and business leaders, as well as being connected to venture capital funds and investment institutions, with a focus on financial technology and artificial intelligence. Additionally, there will be opportunities for promising businesses in various other sectors. Participants can also engage in Dubai’s FinTech Summit, the Dubai Artificial Intelligence Festival, and Investor Day, with organised visits to Dubai aimed at expanding their network and business horizons.
Leaders’ Statements and Future Vision
The agreement was signed by Mohammed Al-Blooshi, CEO of the Innovation Hub, and Svin Ghafur, CEO of Foundation Hub, in the presence of Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, and Arif Amiri, CEO of the Dubai Financial Services Authority. Amiri stated that the partnership establishes a practical bridge between Dubai and Kurdistan, allowing entrepreneurs to join Dubai’s ecosystem and open up new avenues for cross-border growth. Talabani added that the agreement will connect start-ups in Kurdistan with Dubai, providing youth and entrepreneurs with opportunities to develop their projects and compete regionally and internationally, thus enhancing Sulaymaniyah’s status as a regional innovation hub. The partnership aims to cultivate a reciprocal pathway, enabling investors and start-ups in the UAE to explore the growing opportunities in the technology sector within Kurdistan.