Dubai Founders HQ, Mastercard launch founder finance solution to support startups

Dubai Founders HQ has partnered with Mastercard, supported by UAE-born fintech Pemo, to launch a founder finance solution aimed at helping startups and small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) reduce costs, strengthen cashflow and streamline expense management. Eligible businesses can access more than AED10,000 in first‑year value, including up to 2 percent cashback on eligible foreign exchange and advertising spend, complimentary access to Pemo’s spend management platform, Mastercard‑powered corporate cards and a suite of exclusive business offers and benefits.

“This initiative delivers tangible value through cost savings, stronger financial controls, and greater visibility over company spending.”

Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the economic development arm of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), framed the rollout as a practical intervention for founders: “Startups and SMEs are operating in an increasingly dynamic business environment where efficient cash management and financial discipline are critical to long‑term success. Through Dubai Founders HQ, we are committed to providing founders with practical solutions that solve real business challenges.”

The newly announced solution bundles Mastercard corporate cards with Pemo’s automated expense management, enabling real‑time spend tracking and integrations with accounting platforms including QuickBooks, Xero and Zoho. Founders will be able to issue cards to team members, set spending limits and approval controls, automate receipt collection and monitor company spending from a single platform.

• Estimated financial impact: businesses can typically recover AED500–1,200 per month in previously untracked expenditure.
• Operational efficiencies: administrative workloads can be reduced by more than 60 hours per month through automated expense management.
• Faster month‑end close: some companies may shorten financial closing timelines from nine days to three days.
• Benefits: up to 2% cashback on eligible FX and advertising spend, travel benefits, partner incentives and automated financial controls.

Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, emphasised the public‑private collaboration: “Dubai Founders HQ was created to make it easier for founders to access the right support, partners, and tools at the right time. This strategic partnership with Mastercard, supported by Pemo, reflects our commitment to delivering practical, high‑impact solutions that address the real operational needs of startups and SMEs.”

From Mastercard’s perspective, the initiative is part of a broader regional programme. “At Mastercard, we are on a mission to power a prosperous economy while ensuring that no business, no matter how small, gets left behind,” said Mark Elliott, Division President of East Arabia at Mastercard. He noted the company’s four decades of collaboration with Dubai institutions and positioned the project within Mastercard’s Built Small. Moving Strong regional resilience programme.

Ayham Gorani, Co‑Founder and CEO of Pemo, described the partnership as a milestone for a company “built in Dubai”: “SMEs and startups in this city are ambitious, fast‑moving, and we are pleased to contribute to empowering them through smart, flexible financial solutions that support their growth ambitions.”

The initiative aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and the Strategic Digital City Partnership between Mastercard and the Dubai Government, and is intended to strengthen financial infrastructure available to startups and SMEs. Officials say the announcement also paves the way for wider adoption and rollout of the systems by other federal entities and collection banks, which could expand access to the integrated finance tools across the emirate’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.