The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) has launched the Employee to Entrepreneur programme to help employees transform their business ideas into real startups. The initiative is part of Dubai’s larger plan to become a global hub for innovation and startups.
Supporting Dubai’s Startup Vision
The programme aligns with the national campaign, The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World. It also reinforces DIEZ’s role in driving economic growth and promoting innovation within the region.
The initiative complements the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to place Dubai among the top three urban economies and create 30 unicorn companies by 2030.
Empowering Employee Entrepreneurs
The Employee to Entrepreneur programme is designed to identify entrepreneurial talent within DIEZ’s workforce. Employees gain access to tools, resources, and guidance to develop their ideas into successful ventures.
Yousuf Behzad, Chief People & Strategic Transformation Officer at DIEZ, said, “Through this programme, we aim to identify entrepreneurial talent within DIEZ’s workforce and transform their ideas into impactful ventures.”
Participants receive mentorship, advisory services, and investment opportunities. This support ensures their concepts can grow into viable businesses while maintaining alignment with Dubai’s vision for a startup-driven economy.
Access to a Full Startup Ecosystem
Employees enrolled in the programme can access DIEZ’s complete business ecosystem. Key components include:
- Oraseya Capital – providing startup funding and investment support
- SANDBOX – an accelerator for prototype testing and project development
- Scality – helping tech startups scale regionally
- Dtec (Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus) – the largest co-working and tech hub in the region
This ecosystem offers infrastructure, licensing, mentorship, and financial backing. It ensures participants have everything needed to turn ideas into thriving businesses.
A Three-Phase Approach
The programme follows a structured three-phase model:
- Idea Development – analysing markets, validating demand, and refining concepts
- Planning and Model Building – creating business plans, allocating resources, and developing operations
- Launch and Expansion – connecting with investors, scaling operations, and growing the startup
This phased approach allows participants to progress step by step while receiving targeted support at each stage.
Benefits for Employees and the Economy
The initiative not only helps employees grow personally but also contributes to Dubai’s broader economic goals. By nurturing internal talent, DIEZ encourages innovation from within its workforce. Employees gain entrepreneurial skills, access to capital, and exposure to the startup ecosystem.
Startups emerging from this programme can create jobs, introduce innovative products, and strengthen Dubai’s reputation as a startup-friendly city.
Looking Ahead
The Employee to Entrepreneur programme is a clear example of how corporate initiatives can support national innovation goals. By turning staff ideas into startups, DIEZ helps employees achieve their entrepreneurial ambitions while driving economic growth in Dubai.
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