The Future100 companies initiative, a collaboration between the Ministry of Economy and the Office of Government Development and the Future, has announced the list of enterprises selected for the 2024 Future100 companies after a thorough evaluation process. These 100 start-ups are recognized for their contributions to enhancing the competitiveness of future economy sectors in the UAE. The announcement was made in the presence of His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of Investopia; Her Excellency Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship; and Her Excellency Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, UAE Minister of State for Government Development and the Future. This announcement took place during the fourth edition of Investopia 2025, which was held in Abu Dhabi on February 26-27.
In this regard, His ExcellencyAl Marri said: “Thanks to the directives of its wise leadership, the UAE has made great strides towards transforming into new economic sectors. Since its launch, Investopia has adopted a forward-looking vision to support the growth of innovative start-up businesses and encourage them to use modern technology applications in various vital economic sectors. Therefore, Investopia’s hosting of the Future100 companies initiative for the second year in a row confirms our national efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the entrepreneurial environment in the country and consolidate the UAE’s position as an attractive destination for future projects, and a leading center for creativity and innovation”.
His Excellency added: “Through this initiative, we are keen to provide all the opportunities and capabilities that national talents and start-up companies need to develop more successful ideas and projects that will serve the community and support the country’s efforts to transform towards a new economic model based on knowledge and innovation”.
Her Excellency Al Mazrouei said: “The Future100 companies initiative supports the UAE’s vision to make the national economy more dynamic and competitive at the global level, building a highly productive human capital base and creating an advanced and innovative environment that shapes future economic sectors”. Her Excellency explained that the initiative achieved an 11 percent increase in the total number of applications received during 2024 compared to 2023, and the majority of these applications were in financial technology, sustainability, and creative industries.
Her Excellency added: “The initiative contributes to opening new horizons for entrepreneurs and owners of small and medium enterprises to expand their ideas and projects in the sectors of the new and sustainable economy and allows them to communicate effectively with a wide network of investment funds and global investors, and to view the latest practices and trends related to financing mechanisms for small and medium enterprises.” Her Excellency pointed out the importance of the vital role of the initiative’s partners in selecting start-ups wishing to join the initiative.
For her part, Her Excellency Al Roumi said: “The UAE adopts an integrated approach to shaping the future, based on enhancing the flexibility and readiness of various sectors, their proactivity in innovating solutions to challenges, adapting to unexpected changes, and reshaping sectors to keep pace with emerging and future trends.” She added: “The Future100 initiative embodies a company from the future, the leadership’s directions and visions, by stimulating and encouraging the development of future sectors, and enhancing the UAE’s position as an attractive destination and a stimulating environment for the prosperity and development of start-ups in various future sectors”.
She pointed out that, since its launch in 2023, the initiative has contributed to supporting the country’s directions by attracting start-ups across sectors, including space, cybersecurity, sustainability, financial technology, smart mobility, and others. She stressed the continuation of work to enhance the initiative’s momentum and build on its achievements, to be an important element in achieving the directions of the “We the Emirates 2031” vision, and a driving force to enhance the country’s efforts to develop a knowledge-based economy that is ready for the future, and an incubator and catalyst for the development of economic sectors and emerging industries. The Minister of State for Government Development and the Future congratulated the start-ups that were selected for the list of 100 for the year 2024, wishing them success in forming a qualitative addition to the future economy in the UAE and expressing her thanks to the initiative’s 38 partners from the private sector pioneers in the UAE and the world, for their pivotal role in the success of the initiative.
The 2025 edition of the Future100 companies initiative has further strengthened its collaborations with government bodies, innovation funds, technology firms, financial institutions, business accelerators, incubators, and venture capital funds. The initiative now boasts 38 partners, including key strategic partner, the National Fund for Social Responsibility Majra, as well as partners such as the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi’s business accelerator, the Dubai Future District Fund, Emirates NBD, the Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund, Investopia, Microsoft, MEVP, Careem, EY, Eurasia Capital, In5, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, FTI Consulting, and the Dubai International Financial Center Innovation Hub.
These partnerships are crucial in supporting the start-ups selected for the initiative, providing them with valuable connections to a broad network of investment and financing sources. Additionally, the partnerships offer significant incentives, facilities, and opportunities, aiding these companies in accelerating their digital transformation, fostering innovation, and expanding into new markets.