Dubai’s in5 Startups Raise $2.45B, Celebrating 10 Years of Innovation
▼ Summary
– in5 startups have raised AED 9 billion ($2.45 billion) since inception, a 14% increase from October 2024, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global entrepreneurship hub.
– The funding milestone was announced at Expand North Star 2025 and aligns with Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33 to double the economy over the next decade.
– Since 2013, in5 has supported over 1,100 startups across technology, media, design, and science sectors through funding, mentorship, and workspace.
– Notable startups showcased include Bellboy (AI hospitality platform), Gainz (fintech for retail investors), and MyGatePass (smart visitor management).
– This achievement highlights Dubai’s thriving innovation economy driven by public-private collaboration, investor engagement, and supportive regulations.
Startups nurtured by Dubai’s in5 incubator, a TECOM Group initiative, have now secured a collective AED 9 billion ($2.45 billion) in funding. This impressive figure, representing a 14% increase since October 2024, solidifies the emirate’s reputation as a premier global center for entrepreneurship and technological advancement. The announcement was made during the 10th-anniversary celebrations of Expand North Star 2025, a major regional event for startups and investors held at Dubai Harbour.
Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President of TECOM Group, emphasized that this funding achievement is a direct reflection of Dubai’s ambitious Economic Agenda D33, which targets a doubling of the city’s economy within the next ten years. He stated that surpassing the AED 9 billion milestone demonstrates the significant role these startups play in the innovation economy. Each successful venture helps build a brighter future from Dubai, empowering a new generation of visionary entrepreneurs poised to transform tomorrow’s industries.
Over the past decade, in5 has supported more than 1,100 startups across four distinct verticals. The technology sector is based at Dubai Internet City, while media startups operate from Dubai Production City. Design-focused companies are housed in the Dubai Design District (d3), and the science vertical, launched with Dubai Science Park, supports ventures dedicated to forward-thinking scientific innovation. The incubator provides a comprehensive support system, offering entrepreneurs crucial access to funding, expert mentorship, flexible workspace, and extensive networking opportunities through TECOM’s ecosystem of ten specialized business districts.
At the Expand North Star 2025 event, several standout companies from the in5 portfolio were featured. Bellboy is an AI-driven SaaS platform that is automating and modernizing the hospitality industry. Gainz, a fintech innovator, creates a bridge for retail investors to access institutional-grade debt financing. Another notable startup, MyGatePass, offers a smart visitor management system that integrates seamlessly with the UAE Pass for efficient digital access control.
This latest funding milestone powerfully underscores Dubai’s effective strategy in cultivating a dynamic innovation economy. The success is built on a foundation of strong public-private collaboration, active engagement from global investors, and a regulatory environment designed to support entrepreneurial growth. By reaching the AED 9 billion funding mark, in5 has established itself as one of the most successful startup ecosystems in the region, symbolizing Dubai’s evolution into a powerful launchpad for global technology and innovation ventures.
(Source: MEA Tech Watch)
