Dubai, which is home to 39 per cent of the Middle East and North Africa’s scale-ups, accounted for almost 57 per cent of the scale-up funding in the region last year, a report has shown.
A scale-up is defined as a company with 10 or more employees that has an average annual growth of 20 per cent over the past three years, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said.
Last year, Mena scale-ups collectively raised $9.1 billion, representing 0.12 per cent of the region’s total economy, the report, developed by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy in co-operation with Mind the Bridge and Crunchbase, showed.
We will continue to work closely with public and private sector stakeholders to ensure a conducive environment for VC firms and investors, as well as entrepreneurs from around the world
Hamad Buamim,
president and chief executive of Dubai Chambers
The UAE attracted 59 per cent or $5.4bn of the total funding, with Dubai alone accounting for 57 per cent of that amount.
Scale-ups in Egypt, the region’s most populous nation, Saudi Arabia, the Arab world’s largest economy, raised $1.4bn and $1.2bn, respectively.
The findings of the report reflect Dubai's continuing efforts to advance its digital economy and create a conducive environment in the emirate for scale-ups to thrive and grow, said Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications and chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.
The number of scale-ups in the Mena region reached 587 last year, up more than 322 per cent on an annual basis. The UAE accounted for the largest number of scale-ups (251), followed by Saudi Arabia (106) and Egypt (84).
“The UAE continues to add more incentives for businesses and start-ups. The introduction of golden visas, green visas, freelancer and entrepreneur visas are all bold and positive steps the country has taken to boost its value proposition,” said Hamad Buamim, president and chief executive of Dubai Chambers.
The Dubai Chamber report revealed that 26 Mena scale-ups relocated their headquarters inside the region to boost their growth.
The UAE was the preferred destination for relocation, with eight scale-ups setting up in the country, followed by Saudi Arabia (seven) and Egypt (four). About 41 scale-ups opted to expand their footprint beyond Mena, primarily to the US (13), the UK (five), France (five), India (three) and Canada (two).
“Venture capital is a crucial element needed to nurture thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems and advance digital economies. We will continue to work closely with public and private sector stakeholders to ensure a conducive environment for VC firms and investors, as well as entrepreneurs from around the world,” Mr Buamim said.
MWTC
Tickets start from Dh100 for adults and are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE. Three-day and travel packages are also available at 20 per cent discount.
Managing the separation process
- Choose your nursery carefully in the first place
- Relax – and hopefully your child will follow suit
- Inform the staff in advance of your child’s likes and dislikes.
- If you need some extra time to talk to the teachers, make an appointment a few days in advance, rather than attempting to chat on your child’s first day
- The longer you stay, the more upset your child will become. As difficult as it is, walk away. Say a proper goodbye and reassure your child that you will be back
- Be patient. Your child might love it one day and hate it the next
- Stick at it. Don’t give up after the first day or week. It takes time for children to settle into a new routine.And, finally, don’t feel guilty.
UAE Team Emirates
Valerio Conti (ITA)
Alessandro Covi (ITA)
Joe Dombrowski (USA)
Davide Formolo (ITA)
Fernando Gaviria (COL)
Sebastian Molano (COL)
Maximiliano Richeze (ARG)
Diego Ulissi (ITAS)
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
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