The UAE has received a lot of attention in recent years, mainly due to tourism and the presence of oil in the country. When someone thinks of Dubai, they imagine lavish lifestyles and beautiful scenery. Even aside from this, there are many top UAE startups in the country, with an emphasis on technology and SaaS. With the amount of money available in the UAE, it is unsurprising that the country is coming together as a great hub for enterprise just like many other countries in its league producing top startups.

 

1. GrubTech

Year Founded: 2019

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 51-100

Founders: Mohamed Al Fayed, Mohamed Hamedi, Omar Rifai

GrubTech is a UAE startup that was founded in 2019 and is currently based in Dubai, UAE. The company provides a SaaS that offers end to end solutions for digital transformation in kitchens. This is achieved through a POS system that makes it easier for restaurants to sell to their customers. The platform also comes with insights and analytics, which allows it to help users get a better understanding of their own data.

Since the startup was founded in 2019, it has had great success in securing startup funding to further its growth and development. This has been achieved through help by a trio of investors that have collectively invested a figure of $18.4 Million into the company.

2. Hubpay

Year Founded: 2018

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 1-10

Founders: Kevin Kilty

Hubpay is a startup in the UAE that was founded in 2018 and currently has its headquarters in Dubai, UAE. The company is a fully regulated provider of money transfer services, intended to transcend national borders. The overall aim is to help individuals in developing markets to become financially included, despite their national infrastructure.

In the few years that Hubpay has been trading, it has already managed to attract a good level of startup funding to further the goals of the business. This funding has been achieved as a result of the work done by five investors who have backed the company. This ultimately culminated in Hubpay raising a figure of $2 Million.

3. Hala

Year Founded: 2018

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 11-50

Founders: Karim Davis Dib, Walid Daniel Dib

Hala is a UAE startup that was founded in 2018 and is currently based in Dubai, UAE. The company provides IT services that aim to make taxi services in Dubai more affordable and progressive for the average customer. Through their app, they are developing a smarter way to get around in the city of Dubai.

As it stands, the company has not yet received any outside investment that has been publicly displayed. Despite this, with the money available in the country and the technology behind the company, it seems like only a matter of time before they receive investment.

4. RemotePass

Year Founded: 2020

HQ: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Size: 51-100

Founders: Karim Nadi

RemotePass is a startup in the UAE that was founded in 2020 and is currently based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The company provides a SaaS solution for businesses that allows them to take greater control of their remote teams by facilitating payments, hiring, onboarding and the management of these teams, wherever they are.

Despite the infancy of the company, RemotePass has still managed to attract startup funding to grow the business. This was achieved during a single Seed Funding Round during December 2021, where the company received an undisclosed amount of investment from five investors.

5. 99Starz

Year Founded: 2021

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 1-10

Founders: Luca Lamberti

99Starz is a UAE startup that was founded in 2021 and is currently headquartered in Dubai, UAE. The company operates in the blockchain sector and allows gamers to play blockchain video games and earn money as a result of their efforts. This is making gaming more viable and incentivised for gamers across the globe. This is achieved through their effort in creating NFT yields.

Since the business was founded last year, it has already seen successes in generating funding to take the team at 99Starz to the next level. This was achieved through two rounds of funding in November and December 2021. In these rounds, the company gained investment from two investors.

6. Raseed

Year Founded: 2020

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 11-50

Founders: Abdel Sallam Qatshan

Raseed is a UAE Fintech startup that was founded in 2020 and is currently headquartered in Dubai, UAE. The company operates a platform that makes it easier for people in the Middle East region to invest in the US stock market in a way that is both affordable and simple for the average person. This creates a launchpad for local people to level up their earnings through investment.

Despite the fact that Raseed is a relatively new company, it has already managed to secure investment to further its ambitions. This has resulted in the company making a total of 4.1 Million SAR in that short time. This was achieved by the efforts of a pair of investors who were interested in the company.

7. Keepface

Year Founded: 2017

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 11-50

Founders: Elsad Yusifli, Emin Vali, Vagif Abbasov

Keepface is a UAE startup that was founded in 2017 and is currently based in Dubai, UAE. The company provides a SaaS solution for companies to interact and get in touch with influencers through a marketplace format. This helps companies to increase their marketing efforts by collaborating with influencers that are relevant to what their company offers.

In the few years that Keepface has been trading, the business has successfully managed to attract startup funding for growth and development. This funding was achieved through a sole investor during a funding round in 2019- which was valued at a total of $450,000. It wouldn’t be surprising to see more investment in the near future.

8. Getbee

Year Founded: 2017

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 1-10

Founders: Thea C. Myhrvold

Getbee is a UAE startup that was founded in 2017 and currently has its headquarters in Dubai, UAE. The company provides live video software that allows companies to have physical interactions with their clients, in a similar way to in-store. This means they can benefit from expert advice, even from the comfort of their own homes. This is particularly important with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since Getbee was founded, the business has seen good fortune in attracting startup funding. As it stands, the company has agreed to deals with four investors across a single round of funding which was completed in October 2021. This funding round culminated in Getbee raising a total of $1.8 Million.

9. Englease

Year Founded: 2019

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 51-100

Founders: Omar Chihane

Englease is a startup in the UAE that was founded in 2019 and is currently based in Dubai, UAE. The company provides an online environment for students to learn English in a flexible manner that suits them. These classes are live, which provides better interaction and is distributed through accredited professionals. These classes help people in the MENA region to learn one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world.

Englease was only founded a few years ago and since then, the company has already managed to attract many investors. In a single round of funding, the company was able to attract nine investors. As a result of these investors, Englease has managed to successfully raise $3.4 Million in startup funding.

10. Finyal Media

Year Founded: 2019

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 1-10

Founders: Leila Hamadeh,Majid Al Q)assimi, Mishari Alonaizy

Finyal Media is a UAE startup that was founded in 2019 and is currently based in Dubai, UAE. The company runs a podcasting network, which aims to provide interesting and immersive content for young people all across the Arabic world. They have a range of different content types for people with different interests.

Despite the niche market and the relatively new state of the company, it has had good success in finding investment. Across three separate rounds of funding, Finyal Media has received funding from a sole investor, which has collectively totalled $465,200 in funding.

11. Odiggo

Year Founded: 2019

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 11-50

Founders: Ahmed Nasser, Ahmed Omar

Odiggo is a startup from the UAE that was founded in 2019 and is currently based in Dubai, UAE. The company aims to take the hassle out of car repairs and maintenance by creating an online marketplace to connect customers with suppliers for vehicle parts and the providers of services. This helps to get services done in a much shorter time and for better prices.

Despite the business only being founded a couple of years ago, it has already seen good progress in getting startup funding. The company has gone through a stunning six rounds of funding, with nine investors being involved in these rounds. This has allowed Odiggo to generate $3 Millionin funding.

12. Koala Picks

Year Founded: 2019

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 1-10

Founders: Ahmed Mobasher, Aya Assaf

Koala Picks is a UAE startup that was founded in 2019 and is currently based in Dubai, UAE. The company aims to get ahead of the market for children’s snacks by making them healthier and more nutritious for children. They have a variety of different product lines, including ones for gluten and dairy-free diets.

Since being founded, the company has successfully managed to go through a single round of startup funding. This round was conducted in September 2021 and it managed to gain 1.5 Million AED as a result of this.

13. Enhance Fitness

Year Founded: 2018

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 51-100

Founders: Tarek Mounir

Enhance Fitness is a startup in the UAE that was founded in 2018 and is currently based in Dubai, UAE. The company aims to become a dominant force in the fitness industry across the Arab world by giving people personal access to training on-demand, across a variety of different locations.

Enhance Fitness has successfully charged through to get startup funding since it was founded. This was through a sole round of funding, with a single investor. This investor decided to part with $3 Million to help the company get to the next level.

14. YZ Buyer

Year Founded: 2017

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 11-50

Founders: Ralitza Ivanova, Vineet Chadha

YZ Buyer is a UAE startup that was founded in 2017 and is currently based in Dubai, UAE. The company is an e-commerce brand that aims to provide high-quality leather products and other fashion products, at a reduced price. The aim is to have the company be one of the most recognised e-commerce brands for leather items.

YZ Buyer has had previous success in securing outside funding to grow the company. So far, it has gone through two rounds of funding, with three investors being involved in these funding rounds. Ultimately, the actions of these investors have allowed YZ Buyer to raise a total of $1.2 Million.

15. The Luxury

Year Founded: 2018

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 11-50

Founders: Constantin Catalin Dascalu

The Luxury is a UAE startup that was founded in 2018 and is currently based in Dubai, UAE. The company provides bespoke and membership-only lifestyle management and concierge service. This provides travel bookings, recommendations for places to eat out and help customers to access certain events. This is all achieved through the use of a cryptocurrency to bring blockchain to this sector.

Since being founded in 2018, the company has done very well with securing startup funding. This was achieved through a funding round that was conducted in September 2021. This allowed the company to raise a total of $10 Million.

16. PureBorn

Year Founded: 2016

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 11-50

Founders: Hannah Curran

PureBorn is a UAE startup that was founded in 2016 and is currently based in Dubai, UAE. The company is responsible for the creation and design of baby products. These products are different because they are created naturally and are healthier for baby’s skin and are better for the environment.

In the five years that the company has been trading, it has successfully managed to secure startup funding. This was achieved through a sole round of funding in December 2021. Through this round of funding, the company managed to raise $2 Million.

17. Opontia

Year Founded: 2021

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 1-10

Founders: Manfred Meyer, Philip Johnston

Optontia is a startup in the UAE that was founded in 2021 and is currently based in Dubai, UAE. The business provides a rapid and easy solution for business owners to sell their small e-commerce businesses. The process can take as little as six weeks depending on the circumstances of the sale.

Opontia has been very successful in terms of securing startup funding to get to the next level. The business has received funding from fourteen investors to the tune of $62 Million and also took over Novimed in July 2021.

18. Vortex Biotech

Year Founded: 2021

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 1-10

Founders: Mattia Nuti

Vortex Biotech is a UAE startup that was founded in 2021 and is currently based in Dubai, UAE. The business manufacturers solutions for the treatment of clinical waste using high-tech devices. The company also offers other solutions.

Even though Vortex Biotech was only founded in 2021, the company has already secured startup funding. This funding was achieved during a Seed Funding round. During this round, the company managed to successfully raise a figure of $100,000.

19. HyperSpace

Year Founded: 2020

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 11-50

Founders: Desi Gonzalez

Hyperspace is a startup in the UAE that was founded in 2020 and is currently headquartered in Dubai, UAE. The company develops experiential attractions by supporting the creation, operation and funding of these attractions. They are the premier development platform for attractions in the area.

Even though HyperSpace is a very new company, it has already attracted lucrative investments from outside sources. During one round of funding, HyperSpace managed to attract a total of five investors to its cause. This eventually resulted in the business getting $11 Million in funding.

20. Merit Incentives

Year Founded: 2016

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 51-100

Founders: Julie Leblan

Merit Incentives is a UAE startup that was founded in 2016 and is currently based in Dubai, UAE. The company helps to provide effective strategies for incentives for employees in the MENA region. This is achieved through a mix of gifts, rewards and engagement strategies.

The business has done well in terms of securing outside investment since it was founded, with a total of four investors putting their money behind Merit Incentives. These investors put a collective total of 18.7 Million SAR into the company.

21. Ogram

Year Founded: 2017

HQ: Dubai, UAE

Size: 11-50

Founders: Karim Kouatly, Shafiq Khartabil

Ogram is a startup in the UAE that was founded in 2017 and is currently operating from a headquarters in Dubai. The company provides a platform that allows businesses to find staff on demand and to find service providers that can take work on a contingency basis.

Ogram has previously received startup funding to assist its growth and development. This was achieved during a funding round in May 2020. This funding round had one investor and netted the business a figure of $870,000.

 

FAQs

How Many Startups Are There in The UAE?

As it stands, there are currently around 4000 startups in the UAE, which is quite high considering the population of the country is under 10 million.

What is the Average Investment in the UAE?

The median Seed Round in the capital, Dubai is $500,000 and the median Series A Round is worth $3.3 Million- with both of these figures being above the global average.

What Are The Strongest Industries in the UAE?

The three primary industries in the UAE that get the most attention are oil, agriculture and tourism.