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Dubai is becoming a startup hub for Blockchain, AI, and beyond with a goal of 30 Unicorns by 2030. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP) (Photo by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Dubai is quickly becoming a startup hub for blockchain, AI and beyond. The goal for the startup ecosystem is thirty Unicorns by 2030. On my most recent trip, I had the opportunity to explore two different hubs for startups that are rethinking how best to support startups. One of these hubs focuses on Web3, payments, and real-world assets. The other hub’s mission is to unify the city’s many startup programs into a single, connected growth engine. My biggest takeaway? Dubai is moving from a set of fragmented initiatives to an integrated ecosystem that will impact the globe. The Rise of the Hadron Founders Club For AI, Payments and RWA I first went into the industrial area of Dubai. The Hadron Founders Club was launched by Polygon and AggLayer to accelerate founders working in the Web3 space. (Note: This Founders Club is funded by one of my employer’s business partners, Polygon). When it began in 2024, the club focused on general blockchain development but is now preparing for a new phase. In November 2025, Hadron will debut a specialized cohort dedicated to payments and real-world assets, two sectors ready for explosive growth as digital and physical economies converge. Backed by P2 Ventures, which has pledged 50 million dollars in funding, Hadron offers founders a mix of capital, mentorship, legal guidance, and access to investors. MORE FOR YOU Sandeep Narwal, Founder of Polygon, and team at the Hadron Founders Club in Dubai. Sandy Carter In chatting with Sandeep Narwal, Founder of Polygon, he told me at the Founders Club, “at Polygon, we believe that payments are the backbone of every thriving digital economy. The Hadron Founders Club in Dubai is designed to help founders build next-generation payment and Real World Asset (RWA) solutions that scale globally from day one. Dubai’s infrastructure and D33 Agenda make it the perfect launchpad for innovation that bridges Web2 and Web3.” The club is not just another accelerator. The Hadron Founders Club in Dubai Sandy Carter Its culture is intentionally open, with weekly gatherings such as the Founders Breakfast and public open-house Thursdays. These events attract entrepreneurs from across the Middle East and North Africa who want to build on the Polygon ecosystem and tap into Dubai’s growing Web3 infrastructure. The goal is to create a frictionless launchpad for innovation. The mission extends beyond technology to build a self-sustaining community that drives long-term value. Why Dubai Is Betting on AI, Payments and Real World Assets Dubai offers fertile ground for founders in these areas. With a forward-thinking regulatory framework, robust financial infrastructure, and a diverse mix of global investors, the city has become a magnet for high skilled tech talent from around the world. Payments innovation, from digital wallets to cross-border settlement, is surging in the region. Tokenization of real-world assets adds another layer, enabling the conversion of physical holdings such as real estate, commodities, or invoices into liquid, tradeable assets. This dual focus aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of the economy by 2033 and position the city among the top three global destinations for business and innovation. The agenda builds on technology and automation as a driver for productivity, with the government prioritizing sectors like fintech, proptech, healthtech, and supply chain technologies as key drivers of future growth. Hadron’s upcoming cohort reflects this ambition. With its blend of funding, mentorship, and access to major networks, it signals that Dubai’s innovation plans are no longer conceptual. The foundations are being built right now. The Dubai Founders HQ Vision For Growth in AI And Beyond Across town, I visited the newly launched Dubai Founders HQ, at the 25hours Hotel Dubai in One Central. Launched under the Dubai Economic Agenda, known as the D33, Dubai Founders HQ is a landmark initiative that is designed to transform ecosystem-building, consolidating resources and creating a streamlined entry point for entrepreneurs, and delivering end-to-end enabling services to founders across all stages of growth. While I was visiting there, the mood was optimistic, and the energy level high. The newly launched Dubai Founders HQ, at the 25hours Hotel Dubai in One Central. Launched under the Dubai Economic Agenda. Sandy Carter Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation, the economic development arm of DET explained to me: “Dubai Founders HQ represents the next evolution of the Dubai startup ecosystem which is a single flywheel that that links entrepreneurs with investors, corporations, and government entities, providing access to funding, mentorship, and global networks under one roof. It embodies our vision under the D33 Economic Agenda to make Dubai one of the world’s leading global hubs for business and entrepreneurship”. Dubai Founders HQ is a joint initiative between the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. Since launching less than a month ago, the initiative is already supported by more than 25 partners across venture capital, international corporates, financial services, and innovation hubs. The project directly supports Dubai’s goal of creating 30 unicorns and scaling 400 small and medium-sized enterprises by 2033. Building the Flywheel For AI And Beyond Dubai Founders HQ is more than a workspace. It connects entrepreneurs with essential services including sector-specific acceleration programs, expert mentorship, investor access and networking events. These are all delivered through a vibrant community campus and a comprehensive digital platform. Entrepreneurs will also benefit from tailored advisory services, innovative venture building partners, and curated connections to global ecosystem players, as well as business setup and licensing support. Through a series of strategic partnerships, startups gain exposure to both regional and global markets. When I visited, Endeavor had just hosted a delegation of international founders exploring Dubai as a new base for expansion. Dr. Marwan Alzarouni, senior advisor to the Department of Economy and Tourism and one of Dubai’s leading voices in emerging technology, summed up the vision clearly. “Dubai is the new global center of gravity, connecting the world in a way few places can.” His comment captures the sense of purpose driving the city’s innovation agenda. Dr. Marwan Alzarouni, senior advisor to the Department of Economy and Tourism and one of Dubai’s leading voices in emerging technology, walking the attendees at Domain Days through the D33 Agenda Sandy Carter Dubai Founders HQ even supports entrepreneurs beyond the digital economy. The partnership with Kitopi, one of the city’s leading Unicorns, helps at-home Emirati F&B entrepreneurs scale from home kitchens to hundreds of retail outlets through tailored support that includes supply chain management, packaging, marketing and more. The focus is not only on AI or fintech but on entrepreneurship as a holistic discipline that connects physical and digital worlds, a concept often referred to locally as Phygital. Why AI, Web3, and Dubai Are Converging Artificial intelligence and Web3 are reshaping global business, and Dubai is eager to lead that convergence. AI brings automation and insight, while Web3 introduces ownership and verifiable trust. Together they form the backbone for a new generation of financial and business innovation. Dubai’s strong digital infrastructure, high smartphone adoption, and data governance policies make it uniquely suited to host this transformation. It is one of the few places where blockchain, AI, and tokenization can be implemented together at scale, backed by government investment and private capital. Startups here are not experimenting in theory. They are building practical solutions for global commerce, trade finance, and supply chain management. The conversation has moved beyond possibility to execution and scale. Global Competition for AI and Startup Leadership While Dubai’s momentum is accelerating, it is far from alone in its ambition to lead the next wave of AI and digital innovation. Silicon Valley remains the benchmark, home to a dense concentration of AI startups, venture capital, and research institutions that continue to set the global standard. San Francisco’s ecosystem still produces more unicorns per capita than anywhere else, fueled by proximity to leading AI labs, universities, and a culture of risk taking. In fact, there are fresh stories from YC to other accelerators on successful founders making it due to the Silicon Valley and San Francisco culture. Jeremiah Owyang presented at the TedAI conference in San Francisco on "Why San Francisco Is the AI Epicenter." Sandy Carter In his TedAI talk in San Francisco, Jeremiah Owyang, commented “Any region that’s trying to become an AI hub must understand how community and AI culture are working for the SF Bay Area. Fair warning: lean and productive cultures have significant impacts on society and workforces.” His talk was entitled “Why San Francisco is the Epicenter of AI.” Yet new centers of innovation are emerging worldwide, from London’s AI Safety Summit and Paris’s “Station F” super hub to Singapore’s AI Singapore initiative and Toronto’s AI research corridor. Each city is developing a unique model for growth, with some focusing on talent pipelines, others on ethical governance or applied AI commercialization. Dubai’s strategy stands out for its speed and alignment between government, capital, and founders, a unified approach that other hubs often struggle to match. The result is a rapidly expanding ecosystem that positions the Emirates not as a rival to Silicon Valley but as its global complement in the AI and Web3 age. From Pilot to Scale For AI Startups The atmosphere in both Hadron and Dubai Founders HQ reflects a determination to move beyond pilots toward real-world adoption. The open events at Hadron encourage collaboration, while Dubai Founders HQ ’s structured programs focus on later-stage founders who are ready to grow. Founders from across the globe are relocating to Dubai, attracted by regulatory clarity, access to capital, and a supportive business culture. The city is deliberately bridging one of the biggest gaps in emerging ecosystems: the transition from early funding to sustainable scaling. An AI And Blockchain Turning Point for the Desert Economy Dubai’s momentum is unmistakable. Its startup scene is at the intersection of ambition, capital, and community. The combination of Hadron’s Web3 specialization and Dubai Founders HQ ’s integrated model shows that the city’s innovation ecosystem is maturing and ready for global competition. Dr. Alzarouni’s insight that Dubai connects worlds East and West, physical and digital, local and global, reflects the city’s broader strategy. Its focus on real-world assets, payments, and Web3 is not just about chasing the latest technology. It is about building an economy that aligns policy, funding, and purpose. Could the next AI or crypto payment unicorn emerge from Dubai? With the right mix of visionary founders, strategic investors, and a government committed to progress, the answer may already be unfolding in real time. And the next AI Unicorn may be from Dubai. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions
