Dubai is strengthening its position as one of the world’s most ambitious innovation hubs, with leaders from several Dubai-based unicorn companies praising the city’s regulatory environment, digital infrastructure, and long-term vision for technology-led growth. Their comments reflect growing confidence in Dubai’s ability to support not just startup formation, but global scale-up in the digital economy.
According to statements published by the Government of Dubai Media Office on April 19, 2026, executives from Kitopi, Property Finder, and XPANCEO highlighted the emirate’s ability to combine business-friendly regulation, access to talent, and strong public-private alignment. Together, these factors are helping position Dubai as more than a regional commercial center. Instead, it is increasingly seen as a launchpad for digital companies with international ambitions.
A major theme across the executives’ comments was innovation at scale. Mohamad Ballout, CEO and Co-founder of Kitopi, said Dubai’s ecosystem has helped the company build, test, and scale quickly thanks to forward-looking regulation, strong infrastructure, and connectivity to regional and global markets. This combination, he suggested, has made Dubai a practical base for companies aiming to grow beyond the UAE.
Dubai builds innovation with policy and infrastructure
Property Finder’s Chief Product and Technology Officer, Fernando Fanton, also pointed to Dubai’s broader policy direction, including the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, digital-first governance, and paperless government progress. He noted that these frameworks help companies innovate with greater confidence while giving investors, regulators, and businesses a clearer path to scale. He also referenced AI-driven tools and digital real estate initiatives as examples of how the city is enabling next-generation business models.
XPANCEO Founder Roman Axelrod emphasized another dimension of Dubai’s innovation appeal: its support for deep tech, science, and AI. He described the city as a place where business, government, and academia work in close coordination, helping complex technology ventures grow faster. He also linked Dubai’s momentum to broader UAE efforts such as advanced AI infrastructure and long-term investment in future-focused sectors.
Taken together, the remarks underline a clear message: Dubai is no longer competing only as a business destination. It is increasingly competing as a global innovation platform designed to attract unicorns, high-growth startups, and technology pioneers looking for scale, stability, and strategic reach. That makes the emirate a market to watch closely as the digital economy evolves.