Dubai Internet City.. A Quarter Century of Innovation and Leading Digital Transformation
Dubai Internet City celebrates its 25-year journey of achievements, leaving a clear mark on the global technology map. Over the years, the city has proven to be an attractive destination for the most important global technology companies and start-ups , making it a major driver of the digital economy in the region.
This journey began in 1999, with the insightful vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who sparked the digital transformation in the region, by announcing Dubai Internet City, one of the ten specialized business communities of the TECOM Group in Dubai, on October 29, 1999, to harness the promising potential of emerging technology and enhance the knowledge economy in the United Arab Emirates.
In 2023, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced that UNESCO had adopted an Emirati proposal that October 29 of each year – the day Dubai Internet City launched – would be World Code Day.
Dubai Internet City: Rapid Growth and Successive Successes:
Dubai Internet City continues to cement its position as a global hub for innovation, attracting a diverse range of global companies and startups over the years. In 2024, the city witnessed a significant growth in the number of its clients, who have extensive expertise in various fields of technology. The city was also able to attract a large number of global talent, which contributed to strengthening its creative business environment.
The number of Dubai Internet City clients increased by more than 17.5% year-on-year during the first nine months of 2024, reaching more than 4,000 clients from the most prominent global and regional companies, in parallel with the growth of the talent base, which now includes more than 31,000 specialized employees, reflecting Dubai’s position as a global destination that attracts the most prominent experts, minds and innovators in the field of technology from around the world.
Ammar Al Malik, Executive Vice President of TECOM Group – Commercial and Managing Director of Dubai Internet City, pointed out that thanks to the forward-looking vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Internet City has become a major destination for launching new generations of innovators in the world of technology, and a major driver of the digital economy in the region since its establishment in 1999.
“For 25 years, Dubai Internet City has been playing a pivotal role in achieving excellence in the global digital sector from the heart of Dubai. It has been a key contributor to supporting digital transformation efforts and endeavors, including the adoption of the uses and applications of artificial intelligence and other advanced industries in the field of technology, which contributes to consolidating Dubai’s position as a preferred global destination for technology, innovation and artificial intelligence companies,” said Ammar Al Malik.
He added: “We affirm our commitment on this exceptional day to continue the journey of achievements and successes by continuing to provide the best environment for technology and artificial intelligence companies and global talents, to drive the comprehensive development process and enhance our prominent role in the field of the digital economy, in line with pioneering government strategies such as the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”
Dubai Internet City: A leading destination for technology leaders:
Dubai Internet City is a prominent regional headquarters for leading and innovative companies in the sectors of FinTech, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and Web 3 , including: leading companies ranked in the (Fortune 500) list in the field of software such as Oracle, SAP, and in the field of hardware such as Dell, HP.
The city also includes a group of leading companies in cloud computing technology , such as Amazon and Google, social networking companies such as LinkedIn and Snapchat, and a group of famous electronic gaming companies such as Sony and Tencent.
In addition to leading electronics manufacturers such as Huawei, Motorola, and financial technology companies such as Mastercard, Visa, and Stripe.
This pioneering destination also includes 19 innovation and research and development centers operated by global companies including: 3M, IBM, HP, Ericsson, and Cisco.
The remarkable success achieved by Dubai Internet City’s clients is a testament to its unwavering commitment to enhancing the digital economy and supporting innovation in technology.
In April 2024, Microsoft expanded its presence in the UAE with an AED 5.5 billion investment to accelerate AI innovation and global expansion, and launched skills development initiatives to enhance the competitiveness of talent in the region.
Unicorn Startup Destination:
Dubai Internet City’s success in supporting entrepreneurs and enhancing their business impact can be traced back to Yahoo’s acquisition of Maktoob in 2009, a widely-watched deal that was a landmark achievement that put the spotlight on Arab entrepreneurs.
Since its inception 25 years ago, this pioneering destination has witnessed a number of the most prominent regional technology acquisitions, such as Uber’s historic acquisition of Careem in 2020 for AED 11.3 billion, the first unicorn acquisition in the MENA region.
In addition to Amazon’s acquisition of Souq.com in 2017, a deal that helped shape a new future for the e-commerce sector in the region.
The city also launched Tabby, the first fintech unicorn in the MENA region, reflecting the destination’s remarkable contribution to supporting the launch and growth of start-ups and institutions on the global stage.
A destination that draws the features of a promising future:
Dubai Internet City’s pioneering business environment continues to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing and the latest technological innovations, attracting a select group of industry leaders from around the world to boost the digital economy.
The latest acquisition of premium office space in the Office Park complex and the ongoing expansion of the Innovation Centre are strategic investments in the destination over the past two years worth over AED 1.9 billion, reflecting its pivotal role in meeting the growing needs of global technology companies.
It is worth noting that the first phase of the Innovation Center was launched in 2018. This phase has reached full occupancy and today includes a selection of the most prominent companies in the sector, such as: Gartner and China Telecom.
The second and third phases of the Innovation Centre in Dubai Internet City, with a total investment value exceeding AED 780 million, will contribute to providing more than 530,000 additional square feet of premium office space in this leading destination.
All available spaces within the second phase of the Innovation Centre have been fully leased ahead of its official completion date in 2025.
Dubai Internet City is one of TECOM Group’s ten business communities, which include Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Science Park, Dubai Industrial City and Dubai Design District.