Dubai Startup Funding News & Ecosystem Intelligence

Empower India Limited has signed a term sheet to acquire a majority stake in UAE-based MABIL through a share swap agreement. This acquisition marks a strategic international expansion for the Mumbai-based firm into the Middle East market.

Working in the UAE in 2026 means navigating a rapidly modernizing labor framework that includes flexible work contracts, a 4.5-day government work week, mandatory health insurance, and tax-free salaries offset by a high cost of living. Recent reforms have strengthened employee protections, introduced remote work regulations, and created new pathways for freelancers and gig workers.

Dubai Founders HQ, in collaboration with Plug and Play, concluded its inaugural accelerator program wave, yielding 36 proof-of-concept opportunities and 3 signed commercial agreements. These results connect 23 startups with 5 corporate partners, fostering tangible commercial pathways.