Dubai SME, a government agency tasked with developing the small and medium enterprise sector in the emirate, rolled out a new business incubator in Dubai Healthcare City.
The incubator, Ztartup, located in Wafi Residences will cater to SMEs operating in the fields of healthcare technology, including digital media, augmented and virtual reality, digital emergency and safety technology, Dubai SME said in a statement on Tuesday.
Business incubators are specially designed programmes to help young start-ups innovate and grow. They usually provide workspaces, mentorship, education and access to investors.
There should be balanced support from the public as well as private sectors to enhance the role of SMEs
The centre will help entrepreneurs to develop and improve smartphone applications for the healthcare and FinTech sectors, the agency said.
“There should be balanced support from the public as well as private sectors to enhance the role of SMEs, create new market opportunities for start-ups, open diverse financing channels for entrepreneurs with innovative ideas, and formulate systems and laws for crowdfunding,” Abdul Al Janahi, chief executive of Dubai SME, said.
“The private sector plays a major role in supporting start-ups through its community initiatives, which contributes to accelerating economic growth rate.”
Demand for healthcare services has grown amid the coronavirus pandemic and companies are tapping into this demand by refining their business models to produce medical and other ancillary services.
Dubai, the commercial and trading hub of the Middle East, unveiled various support measures for SMEs and businesses amid the Covid-19 pandemic last year. The emirate also launched stimulus measures worth Dh7.1 billion ($1.93bn) to offset the impact of the pandemic.
Dubai SME is “keen to help start-ups go past the Covid-19 challenge”, the statement said.
The Ztartup incubator provides two specialised programmes – one for business incubation and another for business accelerators. The incubator will evaluate the enterprises and the skills of entrepreneurs and help them choose the best programme to launch their businesses.
It also offers other services, including connecting entrepreneurs to a network of specialists and mentors to help develop their products and services, as well as training, workspaces, business start-up packages required in each phase of the project, and a number of specialised laboratories for entrepreneurs to design prototypes for their projects, the statement added.
Ztartup brings the number of business incubators certified by Dubai SME to 13. The agency has also established a network of accredited business incubators and accelerators, which will act as a reference for business incubation programmes in the country.
Certified incubators offer a package of services, events and workspaces to support entrepreneurs in launching innovative projects and competing in the local as well as global markets. The accreditation programme is also aimed to motivate the private sector to invest in business incubators and accelerators, the statement added.
“Our aim is to develop a new eco-system that supports tech entrepreneurs. The impact of this new system will be seen on future businesses, technical skills of entrepreneurs and overall economic growth in the UAE,” Mohamed Shafi, chief executive and founder of Ztartup, said.
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
UAE Rugby finals day
Games being played at The Sevens, Dubai
2pm, UAE Conference final
Dubai Tigers v Al Ain Amblers
4pm, UAE Premiership final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
