**UAE Aims to Have 2 Million Start-ups by 2031**
*By Mudit Dube | Sep 22, 2025, 01:59 PM*
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on a determined path to become a global hub for start-ups. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE’s Minister of Economy and Tourism, announced an ambitious plan to increase the number of start-ups in the country to over two million by 2031.
This exciting announcement was made during a press conference for the campaign titled *“The Emirates: The Start-up Capital of the World.”*
### Ambitious Targets: Building Unicorns and More
Alongside the goal of reaching two million companies, Al Marri unveiled an objective to have 10 unicorns—start-ups valued at over $1 billion—by 2031. Currently, the UAE is home to about five such unicorns.
The minister emphasized that these bold targets are part of a broader strategy aimed at boosting entrepreneurship and accelerating economic growth across the nation.
### Creating a Supportive Environment for Start-ups
Al Marri highlighted the UAE’s strong national infrastructure that supports start-up growth at both federal and local levels. This support includes comprehensive strategies focused on economic clusters, food security, and economic openness through Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs).
Additionally, the government’s commitment to innovation is demonstrated through strategies promoting intellectual property protection, further fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.
### The Current Landscape of UAE’s Start-up Ecosystem
At present, the UAE boasts over 1.2 million companies, with approximately one million owned by entrepreneurs. This represents nearly 94% of the total business landscape, underscoring the crucial role entrepreneurs play in strengthening the national economy.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly vital, contributing 63.5% to the non-oil GDP by mid-2022 and comprising 95% of all companies operating in UAE markets.
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With these initiatives and targets in place, the UAE is clearly positioning itself as a global start-up capital, offering immense opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors alike.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/uae-unveils-ambitious-start-up-growth-plan-by-2031/story
