Dubai SME, the agency of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) mandated to develop the small and medium enterprise sector, has announced the launch of the “Pioneers of Tomorrow” (Ruwaad Al Ghad) program. This sustainable national initiative was developed in collaboration with INJAZ UAE to integrate university-level entrepreneurship with real-world economic needs, creating a direct pathway from academia to scalable Emirati-led enterprises.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic institutions and the business world by giving talented Emirati university students the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges faced by governmental, semi-governmental, and corporate entities. This directly supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which seeks to double the size of the emirate’s economy by 2033.
Bridging Academia and Industry
The “Pioneers of Tomorrow” program allows Emirati students and university startups to form multidisciplinary teams to address pressing needs across key sectors. By collaborating with established institutions, these teams will work on developing effective and commercially viable solutions. INJAZ UAE will provide structured guidance, mentorship programs, and learning sessions to help students refine their ideas into market-ready outcomes.
Ahmad Al-Rumaithi, Acting CEO of Dubai SME, stated, “The launch of the ‘Pioneers of Tomorrow’ program is another strategic step in strengthening Dubai’s position as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. By providing a practical path that begins in education and evolves to empower entrepreneurs, we contribute to strengthening the Emirati talent pool within the emirate’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. This initiative reflects the public-private collaboration that characterizes Dubai’s approach to economic transformation.”
Razan Beshity, CEO of INJAZ UAE, commented, “The ‘Pioneers of Tomorrow’ program embodies our commitment to transforming the potential of Emirati youth into tangible economic impact. By connecting university innovations with real challenges from public and private entities, the program provides a direct path from education to establishing scalable companies. In partnership with Dubai SME, we are empowering the next generation of Emirati entrepreneurs to build market-ready solutions aligned with Dubai’s economic agenda.”
A Comprehensive Support Ecosystem
Promising solutions developed through the program will be adopted into the Dubai SME ecosystem for further development and market entry. Participants who meet the criteria will gain access to a comprehensive suite of services designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.
This support includes business incubation services, mentorship and capacity building, access to financing opportunities, market access support, and facilitation of government procurement contracts. These services are designed to enable sustainable growth and enhance the competitiveness of Emirati-led SMEs. The long-term vision for Dubai SME is to facilitate the launch of 27,000 new Emirati companies by 2033 and support the growth of 8,000 existing SMEs.
Strategic Partnerships With Industry Leaders
The program is supported by leading national entities that provide operational challenges, specialized industry expertise, and mentorship resources. The inaugural cohort of partners includes American Hospital Dubai, du, Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans), Dubai Police, and Emirates Flight Catering. This collaboration ensures that student participants are directly engaged in developing solutions aligned with national priorities.
About Dubai SME
The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Dubai SME) is an agency of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). It aims to foster an entrepreneurial culture and develop a competitive SME sector for the Emirate of Dubai. The agency provides support, information, and outreach for the growing SME community, empowering entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey to contribute to the emirate’s economic diversification.
About INJAZ UAE
INJAZ UAE is a member of Junior Achievement Worldwide, one of the world’s largest non-profit business education organizations. It serves as a vital link between the business community, educators, and volunteers to empower young people in the UAE to own their economic success and build their futures. INJAZ UAE delivers hands-on, experiential learning programs in work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.
Source: Zawya
