The global entrepreneurship landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift as innovation increasingly ignites in markets once overlooked by traditional venture capital. Endeavor, the premier global community for high-impact entrepreneurs, has released its 2025 Impact Report, detailing a year of record-breaking growth and the strategic expansion of its “Global Hubs” network. Central to this strategy is the launch of a new Global Hub in the UAE, positioned to serve as a critical bridge between the MENA region and the global technology frontier.
Driving Innovation From Elsewhere
The 2025 report centers on the concept of “Elsewhere”—markets outside Silicon Valley and China where talent is abundant but opportunity has historically been constrained. Endeavor’s mission to rebalance this map saw significant momentum over the past year, with the network now supporting over 2,100 companies and 3,100 entrepreneurs across 50 countries. These founders generated a staggering $88.5 billion in revenue and created four million jobs in 2025 alone.
A major milestone in the evolution of the organization was reached during the 2025 International Selection Panels (ISP). For the first time, 50% of the expert panelists—who vet the next generation of high-impact founders—were Endeavor Entrepreneurs themselves. This shift reflects the maturing of “Elsewhere” ecosystems, where former candidates like Ridwan Olalere of LemFi and Pedro Arnt of dLocal have transitioned into industry leaders capable of mentoring the next wave of talent.
Strengthening The UAE As A Global Nexus
The launch of the UAE Global Hub represents a pivotal investment in the MENA region’s startup trajectory. Led by Yana El Dirani, the hub is designed to leverage the UAE’s unique geographic position at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa. It functions as a “second home” for diaspora founders and a strategic base for regional entrepreneurs looking to scale internationally.
By connecting local founders with a global network of mentors and investors, the UAE Hub aims to accelerate the transition of MENA startups into global “Outliers.” The initiative follows successful models in London and precedes upcoming launches in Singapore and New York, reinforcing Dubai’s role as a meeting point for capital and cross-border innovation.
Capital Deployment and Strategic Trends
Through its rules-based co-investment fund, Endeavor Catalyst, the organization deployed $70 million into 50 new companies during 2025. This brings the fund’s total assets under management to over $540 million across four funds, with Fund V slated for launch in May 2026.
The 2025 report identifies three key trends currently shaping the venture landscape:
- Stablecoin Adoption: Infrastructure platforms like Puerto Rico’s Rain and Nigeria’s Zone are thriving in emerging markets where traditional currencies face volatility.
- Latin American Liquidity: The region now boasts 39 unicorns, with a significant pipeline of late-stage companies poised for exits.
- Saudi Arabia’s Transformation: Driven by Vision 2030, a surge of entrepreneurial activity in the Kingdom is reshaping the Middle East, with local scaleups like Unifonic now launching their own venture arms to reinvest in the ecosystem.
About Endeavor
Endeavor is the leading global community of, by, and for high-impact entrepreneurs. Founded in 1997, the organization selects and supports founders with the greatest potential to scale and pay their success forward. Through its global network and the Endeavor Catalyst fund, the organization provides access to mentorship, markets, and capital, fostering thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems in underserved markets worldwide.
Source: Endeavor
