The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME) facilitated the launch of 3,461 new Emirati-owned businesses in 2024, up 17.8% from the previous year.
Since its inception in 2002, Dubai SME has supported 19,904 small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Fund for SME (MBRF), Dubai SME’s financial arm, allocated Dh35.17 million across 44 projects in 2024, bringing total funding to Dh137 million for 168 projects since 2015.
Advisory services reached 3,075 entrepreneurs in 2024, more than doubling the previous year’s figures. Training programs were delivered to 5,498 participants, up from 1,627 in 2023. Digital marketing support extended to 531 startups, compared to 363 the year before.
The Hamdan Innovation Incubator (HI2) supported 66 entrepreneurs in 2024, up from 29 in 2023, for a total of 826 startups assisted since its launch.
In response to the April 2024 rainfall, MBRF provided over Dh2.5 million in financial assistance, including loan deferrals and grace periods for affected SMEs.
Dubai SME participated in key events such as the Hatta Farming Festival, Expand North Star, and Gulfood 2024, offering platforms for Emirati entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses.
Initiatives like the Idea Lab Programme and the Emirati Tech Founder Program were launched to equip entrepreneurs with sector-specific skills and support the development of tech startups addressing various challenges.
Looking ahead, Dubai SME plans to expand training programs, enhance digital tools, and forge new partnerships to support Emirati businesses further.
