Future 100 Reveals The 100 Startups That Made Its 2024 List
The initiative, which recognizes the best 100 UAE startups driving innovation in future economic sectors, was introduced during the fourth edition of Investopia 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
The Future 100 initiative, a collaboration between the UAE’s Ministry of Economy and the Office of Government Development and the Future, has announced its list of the top 100 startups enhancing the competitiveness of sectors of the future economy for 2024.
The 100 companies on the list were announced during the fourth edition of Investopia from February 26 and 27, 2025, in Abu Dhabi in the presence of HE Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of Investopia, HE Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, and HE Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, UAE Minister of State for Government Development and the Future.
In a statement commenting on the Future 100 initiative, Al Marri noted how it was reflective of the UAE’s commitment to fostering new economic sectors under its leadership’s directives. “Thanks to the directives of its wise leadership, the UAE has made great strides towards transforming into new economic sectors," he said. "Since its launch, Investopia has adopted a forward-looking vision to support the growth of innovative startup businesses and encourage them to use modern technology applications in various vital economic sectors."
"Therefore, Investopia’s hosting of the Future 100 companies initiative for the second year in a row confirms our national efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the entrepreneurial environment in the country, and consolidate the UAE’s position as an attractive destination for future projects, and a leading center for creativity and innovation," Al Marri continued. "Through this initiative, we are keen to provide all the opportunities and capabilities that national talents and startup companies need to develop more successful ideas and projects that will serve the community and support the country’s efforts to transform towards a new economic model based on knowledge and innovation.”
For her part, Al Mazrouei noted that the Future 100 aligns with the UAE’s goal of creating a globally competitive economy, saying, "The Future 100 companies initiative supports the UAE’s vision to make the national economy more dynamic and competitive at the global level, building a highly productive human capital base and creating an advanced and innovative environment that shapes future economic sectors."
Al Mazrouei revealed that the Future 100 achieved an 11 percent increase in the total number of applications received during 2024 compared to 2023, and the majority of these applications were in financial technology, sustainability, and the creative industries. "The initiative contributes to opening new horizons for entrepreneurs and owners of SMEs to expand their ideas and projects in the sectors of the new and sustainable economy, and allows them to communicate effectively with a wide network of investment funds and global investors, and to view the latest practices and trends related to financing mechanisms for small and medium enterprises," she noted.
Al Roumi pointed to the Future 100 as being indicative of the UAE’s forward-thinking attitude to future economic development. “The UAE adopts an integrated approach to shaping the future, based on enhancing the flexibility and readiness of various sectors, their proactivity in innovating solutions to challenges, adapting to unexpected changes, and reshaping sectors to keep pace with emerging and future trends," she said. "The Future 100 initiative embodies a company from the future, the leadership’s directions and visions, by stimulating and encouraging the development of future sectors, and enhancing the UAE’s position as an attractive destination and a stimulating environment for the prosperity and development of startups in various future sectors.”
Al Roumi noted that since the initiative's launch in 2023, the Future 100 has played a key role in advancing national priorities by attracting startups in sectors such as space, cybersecurity, sustainability, financial technology, and smart mobility. She reaffirmed ongoing efforts to sustain the initiative’s momentum and build on its achievements, positioning it as a vital contributor to the “We the Emirates 2031” vision, noting that it serves as a catalyst for developing a knowledge-based economy and fostering emerging industries.
The 2025 edition of the Future 100 companies initiative shall thus continue to expand its partnerships with government entities, innovation funds, technology firms, financial institutions, business accelerators, and venture capital funds and currently boasts 38 partners.
Key partners for this year's edition include the National Fund for Social Responsibility (Majra), the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, the Dubai Future District Fund, Emirates NBD, the Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund, Investopia, Microsoft, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), Careem, EY, Eurasia Capital, In5, Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, FYI Consulting, and the Dubai International Financial Center Innovation Hub.
Inc. Arabia was a proud Media Partner for this year's edition of the Future 100. The full list of startups can be seen by clicking here.
