A new UAE-China Entrepreneurs Forum has been launched in Shanghai, aiming to supercharge the startup ecosystems of both nations and help double bilateral trade from $101.8 billion in 2024 to a projected $200 billion by 2030. The initiative is being spearheaded by the Emirates Entrepreneurs Association and A
u Dhabi-based investment group Vertix Holdings, with a strategic focus on technology, innovation, AI, and robotics.
The forum brought together over 60 Chinese startups in advanced technology with leaders and experts from both countries to explore joint opportunities in fintech, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. The event is supported by the UAE Consulate General in Shanghai and various Chinese entrepreneurship bodies.
Forging Strategic Partnerships
A series of key agreements were signed at the forum to formalize cross-border cooperation in funding, innovation, and investment. The signatories included Vertix Holdings, the Emirates Entrepreneurs Association (EEA), the China Future Technology Fund (FTF), and the Innovation and Integration body under the China Association of Technology Entrepreneurs (CATE).
The ceremony was attended by H.E. Muhannad Sulaiman Al Naqbi, Consul General of the UAE in Shanghai, alongside Amer Al Ahbabi, Chairman of the Empowerment and Development Committee at the EEA and Chairman of Vertix Holdings, and Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the Board of Vertix Holdings.
A Tale of Two Ecosystems
The collaboration aims to connect two of the world’s most dynamic startup landscapes. China currently has over 116,383 startups, making it the seventh-largest startup hub globally, with 146 unicorns and a collective $1.02 trillion raised in venture capital and private equity by over 32,700 of its startups.
The UAE, meanwhile, is home to 52,719 startups and between 11 and 14 unicorns. The ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with a reported annual growth rate of +32% in 2025. UAE tech funding hit $2 billion by the third quarter of 2025, driven by strong investor confidence and significant government support.
A New Era of Cross-Border Collaboration
Amer Al Ahbabi described the agreements as the beginning of a new era for the UAE-China entrepreneurship ecosystem. “Today’s agreements and our support to UAE-China Entrepreneurs Forum will usher in a new era in UAE-China entrepreneurship and Start-up eco-system and boost cross-border funding and investment,” he stated.
“These initiatives and cooperation agreements align with Vertix Holdings’ direction toward building a collaborative ecosystem and strategic partnerships that support and invest in emerging technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, smart computing, microchips, and research and development.”
Khalifa Al Dhaheri added, “We look with great optimism toward future cooperation opportunities, and we firmly believe that such initiatives serve as an essential pillar for strengthening economic partnerships, exchanging expertise, and supporting the progress of innovation and entrepreneurship between the UAE and China.”
Vertix Holdings plans to welcome its Chinese partners to Abu Dhabi soon to continue the joint work and launch strategic projects aimed at opening new horizons for collaboration between the two nations.
About Vertix Holdings
Vertix Holdings is a UAE-based investment and corporate advisory group with a diversified portfolio valued at over AED 1 billion. The group operates across a wide range of sectors, including real estate, investment holding, mergers & acquisitions, education, financial services, technology, food & beverage, and professional services, through its subsidiary, Vertix Auditing. Focusing on governance, innovation, and sustainable growth, Vertix Holdings supports entrepreneurs and institutions across sectors while strengthening the UAE’s position as a global hub for investment and innovation.
Source: Zawya
