du launces Emirati Entrepreneur Month - My Startup World - Everything About the World of Startups!

du’s Youth Council has launched Emirati Entrepreneur Month in celebration of International Youth Day on 12 August, spotlighting young Emirati founders and three UAE-founded businesses — HOOP, House of Favola and Telo — as part of a broader campaign to translate the “Dubai‑it” leadership philosophy into visible, local entrepreneurial success. The month-long programme will feature first‑person founder stories across du’s social channels and a series of special events at du’s Headquarters, alongside skills workshops aimed at upskilling youth in AI and digital technologies.

“to shine a spotlight on young Emirati founders turning bold ideas into thriving businesses,” the Youth Council said, framing the initiative as a means to highlight the “ambition, innovation and exceptional execution” that the campaign associates with Dubai‑it.

Emirati Entrepreneur Month draws its inspiration from Dubai‑it, a leadership initiative and action‑oriented philosophy launched in June 2026 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Dubai‑it is described in the campaign as a concept that turns the city’s fast‑paced work ethic “into a verb meaning to achieve extraordinary things with excellence in record time.” du is using the month to put that ethos into practice by platforming local founders and sharing their authentic journeys from concept to market.

Programmes and participants

The roll‑out highlights three Emirati‑founded businesses:

• HOOP — a homegrown coffee and snacks concept;
• House of Favola — a fragrance and artisanal ice cream brand;
• Telo — an emerging sportswear label.

Each founder will share their experiences via du’s social media channels, while onsite events at du’s Headquarters will offer networking and visibility. The campaign emphasises diverse entrepreneurial paths — from food and lifestyle to apparel — showcasing how creativity, resilience and execution are shaping Dubai’s local economy.

Alongside the entrepreneur showcases, du’s Youth Council collaborated with Maharat to deliver a hands‑on AI workshop for International Youth Day. Delivered by an Emirati expert, the session introduced participants to real‑world AI applications and prioritized practical learning, with the explicit aim of strengthening “future‑ready digital skills” among young Emiratis.

Context and objectives

du describes Emirati Entrepreneur Month as both a platform and a nudge: by elevating Emirati‑owned businesses, the operator aims to encourage the wider UAE community to discover and support local talent and to inspire more young nationals to turn ideas into scalable ventures. The initiative is framed as consistent with Dubai’s broader vision of maintaining its position as a leading city to live, work and innovate, and builds on du’s stated commitment to youth empowerment and support for the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Looking ahead, the campaign positions du as a convening partner between emerging founders and the public, using storytelling and hands‑on training to create tangible pathways from concept to market. If the pilot engagements during Emirati Entrepreneur Month succeed in lifting visibility and practical skills for the featured founders — HOOP, House of Favola and Telo — du may extend similar programming or partnerships that further integrate youth‑facing skills training with founder promotion across its platforms.