Dubai To Have Region’s Largest Entrepreneurship Centre

Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), has announced plans to set up the Dubai Technology Entrepreneurship Centre (DTEC), the largest entrepreneurship centre in the MENA region.

 The centre, which will be launched in Q1 2015, will be within Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the integrated free zone technology park.

Encompassing an area of over 3,600 square metres DTEC will provide existing and emerging high-tech entrepreneurs with a work environment that supports entrepreneurial activities.

“DTEC will prove beneficial to the economy as a whole through integrating local and regional talent into the country’s workforce and supporting individuals and teams in turning their ideas into reality, ” said William Chappell, chief financial officer of the DSOA.

With the full support of DSOA, DTEC will become the largest entrepreneurship centre in the MENA region.

DSOA already runs a technology incubation centre ‘Silicon Oasis Founders’ (SOF) that was launched in April 2012, offering consultancy and mentoring services to emerging entrepreneurs. The centre currently incubates four start-ups with an additional five to join in the coming months.

“Through our incubator, we have gained significant insights and experience into entrepreneurial requirements and are able to provide employment opportunities to both nationals and residents of the UAE,” added Chappell.

Start up incubators are increasing in the UAE. Dubai has many accelerators such as Turn8, which is supported by DP world and focuses on the logistics sector, and Afkar.me which focuses on the digital industry.

DP World is also connecting with innovation centres across the world and working with local groups such as Silicon Oasis and Tecom Investments to create an investor network for Dubai-based start-ups.