The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, التابعة لدائرة الاقتصاد والسياحة بدبي, has announced the integration of Hamdan Innovation Centre (Hi2) into the Dubai Entrepreneurs Hub, strengthening its role as a dedicated platform for supporting Emirati founders within Dubai’s startup ecosystem.
Established in 2014 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, the centre was created to support entrepreneurs.
For more than 10 years, it has helped Emirati entrepreneurs develop their ideas and businesses. Through its integration into Dubai Entrepreneurs Hub, founders will now gain access to a broader ecosystem of programmes, mentors, investors and companies, enabling them to grow. The move reflects the centre’s evolution into a more complete pathway that supports founders at the earliest stages of their journey, while enabling them to benefit from the tools, guidance and market access opportunities that can help strengthen and expand their ventures from Dubai.
New 16-week technology incubator for Emirati founders
Coinciding with this development, applications have opened for a new 16-week technology incubator designed to support 20 Emirati entrepreneurs and help them turn early-stage ideas into impactful, scalable companies. The programme is scheduled to begin in October 2026 and will be delivered at Dubai Entrepreneurs Hub, the joint initiative of Dubai Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, launched in 2025. Dubai Entrepreneurs Hub serves as the emirate’s central platform for connecting founders with investors, companies and organisations that support the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The programme has been designed for Emirati founders at the start of their journey, whether they have promising ideas or are developing a minimum viable product ready for launch. Hamdan Innovation Centre will provide participants with the support they need to shape their ideas, test market opportunities and build the foundations for commercially viable ventures.
‘A structured and integrated pathway’
Ahmed Al Room Al Mehiri, Executive Director of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, said: «يُمثّل دمج مركز حمدان للإبداع والابتكار ضمن مقرّ روّاد أعمال دبي خطوة مهمة نحو تأسيس مسار منظم ومتكامل يُمكّن المواهب الإماراتية من الانتقال من مرحلة الفكرة الأولى إلى بناء شركات ذات قابلية للتطور والنمو والاستثمار».
He added: «في ظل التحولات الاقتصادية المتسارعة عالمياً، تواصل دبي الاستثمار الاستراتيجي في مؤسسي الأعمال، عبر تطوير البنية التحتية والبرامج التي تتيح لروّاد الأعمال الإماراتيين المنافسة عالمياً، وتمنحهم المقومات اللازمة للريادة، كما أننا من خلال برنامج الحاضنة الجديد، نفتح الباب أمام المؤسّسين في المراحل المبكرة من رحلتهم، ونرحّب بجميع أصحاب الأفكار الواعدة، سواء سبق لهم الحصول على تمويل أو تأسيس شركات من قبل أم لا».