Paying It Forward: How UAE Businesses Are Showing Up For Each Other Amid Uncertainty
As the UAE’s business landscape continues to be impacted by geopolitical tensions in the region, a growing number of companies in the country are introducing initiatives to support their peers through this period.
As the UAE’s business landscape continues to be impacted by geopolitical tensions in the region, a growing number of companies in the country are introducing initiatives to support their peers through this period.
Taken together, these initiatives show how businesses in the UAE are stepping in to support the wider ecosystem, offering practical resources and platforms to help others stay visible, manage costs, and keep operating during a challenging period.
Listed below are a couple of the initiatives that have been rolled out so far; if you are running or know of an initiative that could be added to this list, please email details to Inc. Arabia Editor in Chief Aby Sam Thomas on [email protected].
1. Talabat UAE
The UAE arm of talabat, the leading on-demand delivery platform in the MENA region, is offering homegrown restaurants in the country the opportunity to use 100 of its cloud kitchen spaces at no rental cost until September 2026. The initiative is open to UAE-founded brands with at least 24 months of operations and 12 months of delivery activity; applications should be submitted on this link before April 3.
2. Jones the Grocer
UAE-based gourmet food brand Jones the Grocer is opening up its Al Manara location in Dubai to host weekend markets that will give local businesses a space to “showcase their products, share their stories, and connect with the community, free of charge.” While the dates of the weekend market are yet to be confirmed, applications for it are now open on this link.
3. SQUATWOLF
UAE-born fitness and gymwear brand SQUATWOLF is offering local brands the chance to showcase their products and spaces across its website, app, retail stores, and social media platforms. Businesses can register their interest by commenting on this post on the brand's Instagram page.
4. Sandstorm Digital
Sandstorm Digital, a performance marketing agency headquartered in Dubai, is offering 10 10 UAE-based businesses complimentary search engine optimization (SEO) and artificial intelligence optimization (AIO) health check audits that will result in actionable insights to strengthen their digital presence. Businesses can register their interest by commenting on this post on the company’s Instagram page.
5. Reach
Reach, a Dubai-based boutique agency passionate about elevating lifestyle brands, is offering three small businesses in the UAE a complimentary professional content shoot to help enhance their marketing and brand visibility. Applications can be made by direct messaging Reach on Instagram with the word “SUPPORT.”
6. Rove
Besides highlighting local businesses on its social media platforms, UAE-born hospitality brand Rove has also supporting them by providing meeting rooms and co-working passes at its hotels across Dubai. Brands can avail of these opportunities by commenting on this post on Rove’s Instagram page.
7. Takalam
Armed with the idea that "caring for mental wellbeing is part of caring for our community," UAE-born mental health platform Takalam is offering both group and individual counselling sessions with its therapists that will help one navigate their feelings and thoughts through stressful times like these. Applications can be made on this link.
8. Holly Holistic
Billed as Dubai's first homegrown holistic brand, Holly Holistic is offering its workspace and session space at its Al Quoz location free of charge throughout March for wellbeing, meditation, art, healing, or creative sessions. Interested parties can get in touch with Holly Holistic on WhatsApp on +971509406878.
9. Brands For Less
UAE-based retailer Brands For Less (BFL) is offering support for small businesses and private label concepts in the country in a myriad of ways. This includes increased visibility on BFL’s platforms, space to showcase their products at its stores, and select rent-free opportunities, with food concepts also being offered the chance to be part of its F&B brand, BFL Café. Applications can be sent on [email protected].
10. Citron
Dubai-born global lifestyle brand Citron has launched Rise by Citron, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered acceleration platform aimed at supporting and scaling homegrown kids, family, lifestyle, and food brands across the GCC by opening access to its full ecosystem. The program offers participating brands retail space, distribution support, marketing and content capabilities, influencer and partner networks, logistics infrastructure, and AI-driven tools, while leveraging Citron’s customer base and international reach. Applications are now open for homegrown GCC brands.
11. Fruitful Day
Fruitful Day, a UAE-based fresh food delivery company, is supporting other businesses in the country with their logistics needs by offering chilled and frozen delivery capacity between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Contact Fruitful Day co-founder Marie-Christine Luijckx on LinkedIn.
12. Keyani Wellness
UAE-based wellness center Keyani Wellness, in line with its commitment to helping community through help in mental, emotional, and physical health, is offering a helpline for anyone who needs to speak to a psychologist through this period. On standby is Keyani Wellness' Crisis Specialist, Marina Khan, who can be reached by texting "#support" to +971585870799 for a free callback.
13. MELT Media
Dubai-headquartered MELT Media has launched a community-driven initiative offering free marketing support to businesses across the UAE and the wider region as they navigate ongoing economic challenges. Led by CEO Claire Romano, the program gives businesses immediate access to a free 60-minute consultation, digital audit, and crisis communication support amid the crisis. Businesses can book a free consultation directly through MELT Media's LinkedIn page or through the contact form on its website.
14. Tania's Teahouse
Tania's Teahouse, the Dubai-born cafe concept centered on wellness and lifestyle, has announced the waiver of minimum spends and packages for event bookings at its locations in the Dubai Hills and Al Manara neigborhoods, so that "everyone has a space to heal and connect." Bookings can be made by contacting [email protected] or +971585826425.
15. Alaan
UAE-born corporate card and spend management platform Alaan has launched an initiative called “Alaan Sawa: Better Together,” which will support up to 1,000 businesses across the UAE, with a total commitment of AED3 million in benefits. Through the program, Alaan will cover essential bills for UAE SMEs, including DEWA, SEWA, ADDC and Empower, as well as du and Etisalat, offering up to AED3,000 in support over the next three months. UAE SMEs will also get access to Alaan’s corporate card and cross-border payment platform for free for the next six months. Alaan Sawa has also unveiled the Sawa Partner Network, a platform that will allow businesses to offer services, discounts, or benefits to each other. Alaan Sawa is open to UAE businesses with 10 to 250 employees; existing Alaan customers across impacted sectors such as F&B, hospitality, and tourism will also be eligible to opt in depending on their account profiles. Learn more about the initiative on this link or reach out to [email protected].
16. TaxStar
UAE-based TaxStar, an AI-powered tax compliance ecosystem, is offering a 50 percent discount on its Corporate Tax offering for UAE businesses. Use the code "50UAE" when purchasing on TaxStar's website.
17. Region
Dubai-based concept space Region is opening up its doors to local businesses, creatives, and ideas that need a place to "exist, connect, and be seen." Reach out to the team at Region on [email protected].
18. OPS
OPS, a Dubai-based HR and payroll outsourcing provider operating across the GCC, is offering free HR and payroll services for 60 days to businesses in need. This offer is available to organizations that sign up with OPS for a one-year engagement, and it has been designed to help ease cash flow pressures while ensuring continuity, compliance, and operational efficiency. Interested businesses are invited to get in touch with OPS to learn more and take advantage of this support.
19. Brazen MENA
Brazen MENA, the Dubai-based public relations (PR) agency founded by Louise Jacobson, has unveiled an initiative titled "Unite" to support independent businesses in the region. Besides offering a PR guide that independent businesses can download for free, Unite is offering three such enterprises complimentary PR campaigns that will be put together by Brazen MENA. Jacobson is also offering three independent business leaders to engage with her on a one-to-one session; learn more about the Unite initiative on this link.
20. Majid Al Futtaim
UAE-based retail and lifestyle conglomerate Majid Al Futtaim has unveiled a new initiative called "Ma'an," which sees it offering month-long digital and physical popup spaces across its malls, cinemas, and stores to homegrown businesses in the country. Ma'an, which is being rolled out in partnership with Dubai’s small business development agency Dubai SME, will thus see Majid Al Futtaim offering direct space for free in some of the region’s most powerful consumer experiences, which includes everything from its physical assets like Mall of the Emirates, THAT Concept Store, VOX Cinemas, Carrefour, and more, to its digital ecosystem, which includes its loyalty program, SHARE. Selected brands will thus have the opportunity to showcase their products where millions of visitors chose to shop, dine, and spend their time—applications can be made on this link.
21. Alserkal Avenue
Dubai-based arts and culture hub Alserkal Avenue has launched "Blank Space," an initiative launched to support up to three creative collectives living and working in the UAE with temporary space, resources, and visibility, as well as the ability to grow their practice through peer and audience engagement. Applications for Blank Space should be submitted before 12pm on April 10, 2026 via [email protected] with the subject line “Blank Space Proposal – [name of collective]”. Proposals must be no more than 10 slides and should clearly outline details about the collective, its members and their practices; the project concept and intended activities; how the work will benefit the wider creative community; how the space will be used (only minimal alterations to the space will be considered); a four-week activation plan, and a public-facing element or program to engage audiences and communities (e.g. showcase, performance, screening, or open studio). All proposals will be reviewed by the Alserkal Avenue team, and up to three selected collectives will be offered a warehouse in Alserkal Avenue for a period of four weeks with all utilities (water, electricity, and WiFi) provided for, as well as selected materials and equipment outlined in the proposal, and marketing and communications support as necessary.
22. Ziina
Every week in April and May, Dubai-based fintech Ziina is giving AED10,000 to one UAE-based small business based off nominations made on the above Instagram post. Each week, the Ziina team will review every nomination and pick one winner based on the business' story, the community support behind it, and its genuine need. Nominations close Saturdays at noon, and the winner for each week will announced every Monday through the end of May. More details can be found on this link.
23. noon Food
UAE-born food delivery app noon Food has launched “Local Supports Local,” an initiative aimed at uplifting and empowering local restaurants across the country. The effort will see newly onboarded restaurants on noon Food be offered zero percent commission until April 30, 2026, as well as only a two percent payment gateway fee. Through enhanced visibility within the noon Food app, newly onboarded restaurants will also benefit from increased exposure, helping drive awareness and orders during the campaign period. Applications can be made on this link.
