The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has launched Founders of Tomorrow, a national programme designed to embed university entrepreneurship into real economic and institutional needs. Developed in partnership with INJAZ UAE, the initiative establishes a direct pipeline from academia to enterprise, with the aim of accelerating the creation of scalable Emirati-owned businesses.

The programme seeks to close the gap between higher education and the market by connecting Emirati university students with live challenges from government, semi-government and corporate entities. By anchoring innovation in operational and sector-specific realities, Founders of Tomorrow is positioned as a market-driven platform aligned with Dubai’s broader economic priorities under the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy by 2033.

Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting CEO of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), said: “Guided by our city’s visionary leadership, Founders of Tomorrow represents another strategic step in strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. We are shaping a practical pathway from education to enterprise, strengthening the pipeline of Emirati talent entering Dubai’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. This initiative exemplifies the collaborative spirit between government and private sector that defines Dubai's approach to economic transformation and further reinforces our commitment to providing sustained government support for entrepreneurs. It also aligns with a key priority of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 to nurture a new generation of forward-thinking, resilient Emirati entrepreneurs as part of a globally competitive SME landscape.”

Razan Bashiti, Chief Executive Officer of INJAZ UAE, said: “Founders of Tomorrow embodies our commitment to turning Emirati youth potential into real economic impact. By connecting university innovation with live government and corporate challenges, the programme creates a direct pathway from education to scalable enterprise. In partnership with Dubai SME, we are equipping the next generation of Emirati entrepreneurs to build market-ready solutions aligned with Dubai’s D33 economic ambitions.”

Under the programme, Emirati students and early-stage university startups will work in multidisciplinary teams to address priority challenges across key sectors. INJAZ UAE will provide structured mentoring, hands-on guidance and challenge-based learning, supporting participants through ideation, validation and solution development. Promising concepts will transition into the Dubai SME ecosystem, where they will receive incubation, mentorship, funding facilitation, market access support and access to government procurement opportunities.

Founders of Tomorrow is supported by national entities contributing operational challenges and sector expertise. Partners in the inaugural cohort include American Hospital Dubai, du, Dubai Air Navigation Services, Dubai Police and Emirates Flight Catering. The programme was launched at Dubai Founders HQ, where students and stakeholders engaged in panel discussions and live challenge presentations.

The initiative forms part of Dubai SME’s long-term mandate to facilitate the launch of 27,000 new Emirati businesses and support 8,000 SMEs in sustaining and growing by 2033.