Dubai‑based unicorn leaders hail emirate as global hub for digital innovation

Senior leaders from Dubai‑based unicorns have again positioned the emirate as a global launchpad for digital innovation, crediting forward‑looking regulation, world‑class infrastructure, access to international talent and a highly connected ecosystem for enabling rapid scale. Executives from Kitopi, Property Finder and XPANCEO highlighted close public‑private alignment — including the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy under Dubai Chambers — and pointed to initiatives such as the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), the Dubai Digital Strategy and a transition to a 100% paperless government as concrete enablers for technology‑led growth and cross‑border expansion.

"Dubai’s digital ecosystem has been a major enabler of our growth," Mohamad Ballout, CEO and co‑founder of Kitopi, said. "The city offers a strong combination of forward‑looking regulation, world‑class infrastructure, access to exceptional talent, and a business environment that makes it easier to build, test and scale quickly. Its connectivity to regional and global markets has also been critical as we’ve expanded our ambitions beyond the UAE. Dubai is not only resilient; it is one of the most future‑focused places in the world to build a digital business. It combines speed, ambition and openness to innovation in a way that is hard to match, making it a powerful launchpad for companies looking to create and scale globally."

Context and drivers

Executives interviewed pointed to a cluster of regulatory, market and infrastructure factors that accelerate digital business models in Dubai. Fernando Fanton, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Property Finder, described an environment "anchored by initiatives such as the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and a digital‑first approach" that supplies "clear frameworks, trusted stakeholder networks and coordinated platforms" for innovation at scale. He cited milestones including the move to a paperless government, increased use of AI and Web3 in real estate, Dubai Land Department data initiatives and real estate tokenisation programmes as examples that provide clarity and confidence for developers and investors.

• Public‑private coordination via Dubai Chambers and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy
• Regulatory clarity in data, tokenisation and digital transactions
• World‑class infrastructure including large‑scale AI data centres and connectivity
• Access to global capital and strategic investors such as Mubadala, Blackstone and Permira

Roman Axelrod, Founder and Managing Partner of XPANCEO, emphasised Dubai’s strategic focus on deep tech, science and AI, saying: "Dubai offers a rare combination of tax incentives, strong government backing and world‑class infrastructure. What truly sets the emirate apart is its prioritisation of deep tech, science and AI as core pillars of its economy." Axelrod pointed to collaborations with entities including Dubai Chambers, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre and the University of Dubai, as well as national initiatives such as the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and moves towards AI‑driven government services.

Outlook

Executives believe Dubai’s appeal is durable: its combination of long‑term vision, investor links and institutional coordination makes the city less susceptible to short‑term volatility. As Axelrod put it, "While regional events may unsettle more volatile markets, Dubai remains steady. Its ambition, scale and commitment to long‑term investment ensure that growth remains sustainable." For founders and investors, the challenge now is aligning bold ambitions with an ecosystem designed to support decades of innovation rather than short business cycles.