Dubai SME launches program for youth entrepreneurs

The Dubai SME youth entrepreneurs program aims to turn ideas into real startups, offering young founders a structured path to develop and pitch their ventures.

Dubai SME, part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, has launched Majlis Al Mustaqbal, a three-day initiative designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs and accelerate innovation-driven ideas.

The first edition will take place from April 28 to 30 at Dubai Founders HQ, bringing together participants, mentors, investors and government stakeholders in an intensive, hands-on environment.

A practical path from idea to startup

The program focuses on execution. Participants will form teams, develop business models and refine their ideas into investor-ready pitches.

Over three days, they will move through a structured process that includes ideation, pitch coaching and final presentations before a jury panel composed of key ecosystem partners.

These partners include organizations such as Dubai Municipality, Aramex and du, among others. The program will conclude with the selection of the top three teams.

Supporting Dubai’s innovation strategy

Officials say the initiative is designed to move young founders beyond inspiration and into action.

According to Dubai SME leadership, the program connects participants directly with mentors, investors and ecosystem partners, giving them the tools and exposure needed to build viable businesses.

The initiative aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the emirate’s economy by 2033 and position Dubai as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Building a pipeline of future founders

Beyond a single event, Majlis Al Mustaqbal is intended to become a recurring platform for early-stage startups.

By linking young entrepreneurs with industry experts and institutions, the program seeks to create a continuous pipeline of new ventures and strengthen the broader startup ecosystem in the UAE.

For now, the Dubai SME youth entrepreneurs program reflects a growing focus on empowering the next generation of founders — and turning early-stage ideas into scalable businesses.