Emirati Family Entrepreneurs Program: UAE to Train 1,000 in 2025
Emirati Family Entrepreneurs Program: The UAE has launched a major new initiative, the Emirati family entrepreneurs program aiming to train and qualify 1,000 entrepreneurs from Emirati families across the country. Presented as part of the national campaign, The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World, the programme is designed to build strong entrepreneurial capabilities, promote local production and support sustainable income generation.
Under the banner of this initiative, the Ministry of Economy & Tourism and the Ministry of Community Empowerment have joined forces with the New Economy Academy and the National CSR Fund, Majra to develop and deliver the training. The aim is to equip Emirati family-business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills needed in business establishment, project management and product-market competitiveness.
Training 1,000 Entrepreneurs: Structure and Scope
The initiative will span five years, training around 200 families per year. Participants will go through a mix of capacity-building modules, technical assistance and business development support, enabling them to develop locally competitive products and launch ventures within the “new economy”. The training covers marketing, production quality, digital business models and sustainability.
By focusing on Emirati family entrepreneurs, the programme seeks to strengthen family-owned productive ventures, enhance their contribution to the national economy and promote income sustainability within Emirati households. The programme aligns with national goals of diversification and building productive capability beyond traditional sectors.
Why This Matters for the UAE
The launch of the Emirati family entrepreneurs program is significant for several reasons:
- First, it underscores the UAE’s broader economic strategy to position itself as a global hub for startup innovation, while ensuring citizens have meaningful opportunities in business ownership.
- Second, by focusing on families rather than only individual entrepreneurs, the initiative reflects a long-term vision: building generational business ownership among Emiratis and promoting self-reliance. This helps diversify income sources and empowers Emirati families to create value and jobs.
- Third, this programme taps into and strengthens the SME ecosystem, which is considered vital for non-oil GDP growth and competitiveness. By training 1,000 family entrepreneurs, the initiative contributes to a more vibrant and diversified economy.
Implementation & Support Ecosystem
The training will be provided by the New Economy Academy in partnership with Majra, with guidance from the Ministries leading the programme. Participants will receive access to mentorship, business development support, technical assistance and market-ready production training.
The Ecosystem also includes:
- Technical support in product development and local production that meets market standards.
- Marketing and business growth guidance to help entrepreneurs scale beyond initial launch.
- Support in establishing ventures within the “new economy”, including digital business models and production of goods for local and international markets.
The announcement noted that the number of entrepreneurs from Emirati families grew to 3,307 in 2024, rising 4.5 % over the previous year, reflecting the potential impact of such initiatives.
Future Outlook for Emirati family entrepreneurs program
As the UAE moves forward, the Emirati family entrepreneurs program is expected to play a key role in the national entrepreneurship strategy. Participants will be able to create ventures that contribute both to household income and economic diversification.
Moreover, as the UAE strives to become a destination for global entrepreneurship, training 1,000 portfolio entrepreneurs from family backgrounds strengthens local ownership of that vision. The success of these entrepreneurs may in turn inspire further programmes and scaling up beyond the initial 1,000 target. With support structures like mentorship, production training and market guidance, the initiative is well-positioned to enable lasting change rather than short-term project launches.
Conclusion
The launch of the Emirati family entrepreneurs program marks an ambitious and positive step toward building domestic entrepreneurial capability, strengthening family business ownership among Emiratis and advancing the UAE’s economic diversification agenda. By training 1,000 family entrepreneurs, this initiative empowers citizens, supports local production and contributes to the national goal of becoming a global startup capital.
This programme is more than training, it is a strategic move to embed entrepreneurship within family-units, ensuring that growth, innovation and business ownership touch the heart of Emirati society.
Follow UAE Explores for more Business & Government News Updates.
