Here’s how Dubai Business Associates fosters entrepreneurship

Supported by Dubai’s leadership, the Dubai Business Associates (DBA) programme has been a pivotal force in bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world business practice.

In an exclusive interview with Surkhel Yousafzai, president of the Dubai Business Associates Alumni Association, we delve into the strategic initiatives implemented by DBA to nurture entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.

Through comprehensive academic modules, practical placements, and strategic consulting engagements, DBA equips top global talents with the skills and experiences needed to drive future business success.

What strategic initiatives has Dubai Business Associates (DBA) implemented to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the region?

Established under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai Business Associates (DBA) is a fully funded unique graduate programme that is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world business practice. This esteemed programme offers top students from around the world, the unparalleled opportunity to work on live projects with the support of internationally recognised Dubai entities.

Associates immerse themselves in a focused, nine-month journey, free from financial concerns, as the programme covers all expenses, including flights, accommodation, and a living allowance.

Additionally, the programme offers social and cultural activities aimed at enhancing cultural intelligence (CQ), a crucial skill sought after by employers globally. The DBA programme features comprehensive academic modules, practical placements, and strategic consulting engagements with industry leaders and CEOs. This is all conducted under the mentorship of strategic partners such as PwC Academy Middle East, CAPADEV and Bon Education.

To specifically nurture entrepreneurship and innovation, the programme includes a dedicated two-week business planning exercise.

During this period, teams collaborate to develop innovative ideas, which they then pitch to a panel of esteemed investors and industry experts. The consulting projects undertaken by associates for Dubai-based clients also play a significant role in fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and driving innovation. For instance, during the recent ninth DBA cohort (2022-2023), Associates worked on a project to establish an urban farm that integrated outdoor organic farming, indoor hydroponics, educational workshops, and a farm café.

This project required hands-on engagement with stakeholders, a thorough review of local and international urban farming practices, and the development of a detailed business model, including market assessment, competitor analysis, and financial projections with a three-year implementation roadmap. Another notable project from the same cohort involved redefining the B2B/wholesale accommodation plan for a conglomerate in the tourism sector.

The associates proposed a strategic shift towards sustainability, emphasising environmental responsibility to cater to the increasing demand for sustainable travel options. This new approach aimed to offer a unique value proposition by targeting hotels and accommodations that prioritise environmental stewardship.

Through these strategic initiatives, the DBA programme continues to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation, equipping Associates with the skills and experiences needed to drive future business success in the region and beyond.

How does the programme prepare associates for the business challenges in Dubai and beyond?

There is truly no other graduate trainee programme of its kind; it serves as the perfect bridge for new graduates into the business world. Of the nine months of the programme, six months are dedicated to immersing Associates in various Dubai entities, where they also get the chance to work on consulting projects. This immersion allows associates to fully understand the challenges these entities face and collaboratively prepare innovative and holistic roadmaps and strategies.

The programme is not affiliated with a single business or university but instead collaborates with numerous business partners. The goal is to ensure that the DBA programme provides not only classroom learning but also practical, real-world, on-the-job experience. This approach ensures that Associates not only gain practical skills but also have the opportunity to apply their skills, knowledge, and training in real-world scenarios.

Having experienced Dubai’s multicultural and entrepreneurial culture, Associates are well-prepared to adapt to a wide range of situations with ease in their future careers.

The DBA programme equips them with the ability to navigate complex business environments, both within Dubai and globally, making them versatile and resilient business professionals.

What is the core mission and vision of Dubai Business Associates?

The core mission of the Dubai Business Associates (DBA) programme is to nurture and develop future global leaders through unparalleled learning experiences within Dubai’s dynamic business environment. Its purpose is to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice, enabling graduates to transition seamlessly into successful careers. By fostering a culture of innovation, leadership, and cultural understanding, the DBA programme aims to contribute to Dubai’s reputation as a global hub for commerce and entrepreneurship.

This mission has been reinforced over the years through the steadfast commitment to providing a platform for ambitious graduates to develop essential business skills and become leaders in their respective fields.

The unique blend of academic and practical work experiences attracts the best talent from around the world, welcoming all nationalities and educational backgrounds including outstanding local Emirati talent, Associates bring their own experiences and cultures, allowing them to share and benefit from each other’s learning journeys.

Those fortunate enough to be selected as part of the DBA programme will forever be ambassadors of Dubai, embodying the spirit of the city and contributing to its ongoing success on the global stage.

How is the programme tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses in Dubai?

Each year, the programme collaborates closely with the placement partners to ensure that both the Associates and the partners they work with gain the maximum benefit from the relationship. There is active communication with placement partners and learning partners to understand the trends and needs of entities, which are taken into consideration when reviewing applicants for the following year.

Furthermore, when the associates arrive, they must be assigned to live projects. This approach allows them to apply their classroom learning in real-world scenarios, working within time and budget constraints, and experiencing the excitement and pressure of real-time projects or campaigns. This hands-on experience is invaluable for both the associates and the entities involved.

This mutual eagerness to collaborate results in positive outcomes for both the associates and the placement partners. For example, Associates have previously had the opportunity to develop a future cabin crew strategy for a leading Middle Eastern airline, create a customer acquisition strategy for another entity, and conduct major customer research to attract East Asian startups to a tech entrepreneurship centre.

Through these tailored initiatives, the programme ensures that it not only meets the unique needs of businesses in Dubai but also equips Associates with practical skills and experiences that are highly relevant to the industry.

How important are collaboration and partnerships in achieving your organisation’s goals?

The DBA programme simply could not operate or deliver its intended outcomes without the continued collaboration and support of our local placement partners in Dubai. Over the nine cohorts completed so far, DBA has successfully delivered 84 consulting projects for more than 30 leading entities in Dubai across both the private and public sectors. By having these 84 consulting projects conducted by DBA Associates rather than consulting firms, an estimated $21 million in fees has been saved across Dubai. This figure does not include the additional value created for Dubai from implementing these projects.

Collaboration with all the partners has provided the Associates with unique opportunities to work on strategic projects that address real-world challenges. This collaboration demonstrates the practical value of the DBA programme in contributing to the success of our partner organisations. By working closely with these partners, the programme ensures that the Associates gain invaluable hands-on experience, while our partners benefit from fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.

This symbiotic relationship underscores the importance of collaboration and partnerships in achieving the programme goals, ensuring mutual growth and success for both our Associates and the partners we support.

Provide us with some statistics about DBA’s role in Dubai’s startup ecosystem and its growth in recent years.

The Dubai Business Associates (DBA) programme has played a significant role in the growth and dynamism of Dubai’s startup ecosystem, supporting future entrepreneurs and business leaders by providing the necessary skills to thrive in a variety of industry sectors and business environments.

Since its establishment, DBA has seen over 300 individuals graduate, many of whom have gone on to establish or contribute to various successful ventures in the region and beyond.

In the past year alone, our associates have been involved in projects that collectively raised more than $50m in venture capital funding. This achievement reflects the impactful role DBA has played in nurturing entrepreneurship and contributing to the vibrant startup ecosystem in Dubai.

These statistics underscore the programme’s commitment to fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and supporting the development of a dynamic business landscape in Dubai. Through our comprehensive approach, we continue to equip Associates with the tools and experiences necessary to make meaningful contributions to the startup ecosystem both locally and globally.

Can you highlight any key partnerships that have been particularly impactful?

All the partnerships are essential to the successful running of the DBA programme. The associates would simply not be able to gain the real-life, high-impact project management skills, for which the course is renowned, without the enduring support of our partners throughout the nine months and beyond.

Each year, the programme recognises a partner for their standout mentorship. This year, at June’s graduation ceremony, the Partner Appreciation Award was presented to Emirates Airline. This recognition was not only for their long-standing support of the programme over the past ten years but also for being a crucial channel in providing talented local Emirati Associates. Their contribution has been vital for the programme’s success and the quality of its deliverables.

Emirates Airline’s involvement exemplifies the impactful partnerships that make the DBA programme a unique and enriching experience, both for the Associates and the participating organisations.

 How do these milestones reflect the broader goals and successes of the DBA programme?

This year, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the DBA programme, marking a decade of fostering future global leaders and creating high-level ambassadors for Dubai in international markets, for which we are incredibly proud. Applications from 166 countries have been received for this landmark year, with the cohort set to commence this September.

The success of the graduates, exemplified by their prestigious awards and impactful contributions to partner projects, underscores the effectiveness of the experiential learning approach. As a DBA graduate myself, I can attest to the strength of our close-knit alumni community, which is a testament to the remarkable success achieved by the Alumni in various fields. This highlights our commitment to excellence and our role in promoting Dubai as a leading centre for global business and innovation.

Some examples of our incredibly talented alumni include Jodi Cullity from the US, Class of 2019, who went on to work at the White House for First Lady Jill Biden. Raymond Zhu from China, a 2016 graduate, is now a tech billionaire employing over 200 people, splitting his time between Los Angeles and Dubai. Additionally, Junjie Si, who graduated in 2015, impressed the Dubai Chamber so much with his strategic assignment that he was selected for the role of chief representative of the Dubai Chamber in China.

These achievements highlight the success of our prestigious alumni who have realised their dream careers and are flourishing thanks to the DBA programme. We are proud to create ambassadors of Dubai who work across the world.