Dubai’s booming technology sector: CEO of Seed Group

Dubai has united to become a global leader in technological advancement and digitalization of various sectors to design a future powered by technology among people. For example, in April 2024, the government established the so-called Dubai Universal Artificial Intelligence Plan (DUB.AI).

It encourages the use of cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in key industries. Additionally, the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy announced that 101 innovative technology start-ups have arrived in the emirate.

These developments reflect the government’s efforts to drive innovation and the growing confidence of international companies in Dubai’s technology industry. Equally significant is the role of local institutions in facilitating the entry of innovative companies into Dubai and the MENA region in general. A group of seedsThe company of the Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum is a perfect example of such entities.

TechRound recently interviewed Hisham Al Gurg, CEO of Seed Group and the private office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, on his views on Dubai’s booming tech ecosystem and the wealth of opportunities for global startups and established companies. Al Gurg also highlighted the company’s strategic ability to build partnerships that foster growth and innovation.

How has Dubai’s focus on technology changed its core sectors and what opportunities does this offer for start-ups?

Dubai’s focus on technological advancements has transformed key economic sectors such as finance, real estate, transportation and healthcare through the introduction of cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence and IoT (Internet of Things).

The resulting transformation creates fertile ground for start-ups, providing a viable ecosystem with strong infrastructure, access to finance and a supportive regulatory environment. At the same time, startups can leverage Dubai’s technological momentum to conceptualize, scale and collaborate with established players across industries.

Why is the Fintech sector particularly attractive in Dubai?

The widespread adoption of technology in finance has signaled the rise of financial technology (fintech). In response, strategic initiatives have been implemented to increase the use of fintech and its contribution to GDP.

In particular, entities such as Dubai VARA have been established to create regulatory sandboxes that encourage innovation. This attracted engineers and entrepreneurs from around the world to the city’s fintech industry, leading to the UAE being among the top ten countries for cryptocurrency adoption. This is one of the reasons why our partners such as DKK Partners and Gennius XYZ have expanded into the emirate.

Why is it essential to partner with strategic Dubai companies in a competitive industry like technology?

Given Dubai’s booming technology market, building strategic alliances with local companies is crucial for international technology companies looking for seamless local ventures. In this way, they gain invaluable insight into the local market and networking opportunities.

Collaborating with local private entities like Seed Group enables companies to simplify regulatory processes and develop strategic relationships with government leaders and key industry players.

How has Seed Group contributed to Dubai’s plans to digitize all sectors – can you provide examples of successful partnerships?

We are proud of our contribution to Dubai’s digitalization efforts to make the city-state a leading center for technological leadership. In the transportation industry, we facilitated the launch of the world’s first digital license plate platform, Reviver, to expand its reach in the region.

In telecommunications, we successfully introduced conversational AI provider SentiOne to Dubai, paving the way for a strategic partnership with e& Enterprise. We recently partnered with American artificial intelligence and robotics company Kebotix to revitalize the emirate’s materials industry.

What key changes do you think will shape Dubai’s tech future?

As previously established, key projects are already contributing to the development of Dubai’s technological infrastructure, such as Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 and DUB.AI. All such strategies will make Dubai a future-proof city, strengthening its position global investments and pursues its primary goal of being a global innovation center.

Towards a future-ready Dubai

Visionary leadership, strategic initiatives and a strong ecosystem of start-ups and foreign corporations are driving Dubai’s transformation into an international technology powerhouse.

With over 20 years of experience, Seed Group sees a future where sustainable digital innovation thrives. Their strategic support ensures that local and international companies can navigate and benefit from the emirate’s dynamic technology scene.