• Investment firms, academic institutions, and business accelerators join as initiative partners, including Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Innovation Hub, Ernst & Young UAE, MEVP, Eurasia Capital, and in5 Incubator.
• The new partnerships contribute to the initiative’s goal of enhancing future readiness and solidifying the UAE’s position as a hub for new economy companies.
• The Future 100 Companies sponsors two additional agreements for companies classified among the top 100 for 2024, focusing on space mission-related healthcare and sustainable aviation fuel.

Abu Dhabi, February 27, 2025: The Future 100 Companies initiative has signed six partnership agreements with various economic and academic institutions, business accelerators, and companies to foster the growth of startups in the sustainable new economy sectors. These agreements aim to support the competitiveness of the UAE’s entrepreneurial and SME ecosystem while providing innovative solutions to help startups thrive.

The initiative’s partners include Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Eurasia Capital—the investment arm of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, Innovation Hub at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the largest fintech accelerator in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, Ernst & Young UAE, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), and the in5 business incubator.

The signing ceremony was attended by H.E. Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship. The agreements were signed on behalf of The Future 100 Companies initiative by H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy. The initiative’s partners were represented by Prof. Eric Xing, President of Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence; Mohammad Albalooshi, CEO of Innovation Hub at DIFC; Majid Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President of TECOM Group – Dubai Media City, on behalf of in5; Anthony O’Sullivan, Managing Partner at Ernst & Young UAE; Walid Mansour, Co-founder and CEO of MEVP; and Hassan Wahid Al Farsi, Board Member of Eurasia Capital.

H.E. Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei stated:
“The UAE has been committed to launching pioneering initiatives and projects to create a competitive environment for entrepreneurs, enabling them to attract investments, promote their products and services, and access the necessary funding. This commitment fosters an entrepreneurial culture across society. The Future 100 Companies initiative is one of the UAE’s most vital programs, accelerating growth in emerging economic sectors and providing startups with global expansion opportunities. Every year, the initiative highlights the top 100 rising companies contributing to the competitiveness of the country’s future economy.”

She added:
“The initiative’s partners play a crucial role in providing technical and legal support and offering competitive financing solutions for the 100 selected companies in each cycle. We are keen to continue collaborating to create a thriving ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurs, equipping them with the expertise needed to develop innovative projects that serve the community and advance the country’s economic and social development.”

The initiative’s partners emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government, private sector, and academia to provide the best possible resources for startups and drive business innovation.

Mohammad Albalooshi, CEO of Innovation Hub at DIFC, said:
“As part of DIFC’s role in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the UAE, we are delighted to collaborate with the Ministry of Economy as an acceleration partner for The Future 100 Companies initiative. In line with the UAE’s strategic vision for innovation and entrepreneurship, our partnership will empower the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs by equipping them with the tools, resources, and expertise necessary to drive positive change and shape the future economy.”

Majid Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President of TECOM Group – Dubai Media City, representing in5, stated:
“Our strategic partnership with the Ministry of Economy marks a significant step toward supporting the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision and Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, ensuring sustainable growth for globally impactful innovations. Our support for The Future 100 Companies initiative aligns with our goal of empowering the next generation of innovators, who are the foundation of sustainable development in the UAE. in5 remains committed to supporting innovators across various vital sectors, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for startups and entrepreneurs.”

Anthony O’Sullivan, Managing Partner at Ernst & Young UAE, said:
“We are pleased to support The Future 100 Companies initiative to enhance opportunities and resources for local startups. This partnership between the government and private sector showcases the power of collaboration in identifying and supporting innovative companies, helping them scale and contribute to the UAE’s economic diversification. Investments made today in the startup ecosystem will help build a prosperous and sustainable business community in the future.”

Walid Mansour, Co-founder and CEO of MEVP, stated:
“We are proud to partner with the Ministry of Economy under The Future 100 Companies initiative, reinforcing our commitment to investing in promising and innovative startups in the UAE. With over 15 years of experience in identifying and supporting transformative tech startups in the region, MEVP is uniquely positioned to contribute to the UAE’s innovation vision. We are excited to continue this journey, enabling the next generation of entrepreneurs in the tech sector and contributing to the UAE’s future economic growth.”

Hassan Wahid Al Farsi, Board Member of Eurasia Capital, added:
“At Eurasia Capital, the investment arm of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, we are proud to partner with The Future 100 Companies initiative to support the next generation of SMEs in the UAE. As one of the most active investors in UAE startups in 2024 in terms of deal volume, we have committed $1 million to drive innovation and foster the growth of local tech companies and the future economy. We believe in the potential of UAE entrepreneurs to build globally successful businesses, and we look forward to supporting their journey through this initiative.”

In addition to the six agreements, H.E. Alia Al Mazrouei oversaw the signing of two additional agreements between two companies classified in the 2024 cycle of The Future 100 Companies initiative and leading international research institutions.

The first agreement was signed between P4ML, a medical technology solutions company, and the Sanford Integrated Space Stem Cell Research Center (ISSCOR) at the University of California, San Diego. The collaboration focuses on advancing space-based stem cell research, biological data analysis, drug discovery, and precision medicine. The agreement aims to develop an advanced platform for drug discovery and biological data analysis while ensuring strict data governance to support the health of astronauts and space tourists.

The second agreement was signed between Circa Biotech, a company specializing in sustainable aviation fuel production, and a leading global research center focused on biofuels. The partnership aims to accelerate research and development efforts in sustainable aviation fuels, supporting the UAE’s commitment to green energy and environmental sustainability.

These agreements further reinforce The Future 100 Companies initiative’s mission to position the UAE as a global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future economy.