Dubai Startup Funding News & Ecosystem Intelligence
Tabby Card Network Expands to Apple Store With Interest-Free Installments
Tabby adds Apple Store to its UAE partner network, letting 1M+ cardholders split purchases into 4, 6, or 8 interest-free payments.
By DXB Start
LATEST
UAE Introduces AI for Faster Work Permit Screening
PRsonaME Launches AI PR Platform in Middle East
Veovo Acquires Dubai Technology Partners
FUNDING
Empower India Acquires UAE-Based MABIL in Cross-Border Deal
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.
SPOTLIGHT
Working in UAE: Everything You Should Know
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.
ECOSYSTEM
Dubai Founders HQ and Plug and Play Drive Corporate-Startup Partnerships
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.
GUIDES & RESOURCES
The Founder's Guide to Startup Accelerators in Dubai
Every major accelerator and incubator in the Dubai and Abu Dhabi ecosystem — what each provides, costs, and which matches your stage.
GuideEvery VC and Funding Source a Dubai Startup Should Know in 2026
A stage-by-stage breakdown of who actually writes checks in the Dubai and UAE startup ecosystem.
STARTUP DIRECTORY
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Quarterly Report
Our Q1 2026 ecosystem report — $251M raised, 94 deals, sector breakdowns, and what to watch next.
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