Preparing startups for the UAE market
For two successful years, FTP Academy has supported Korean technology startups through a soft-landing programme designed to help founders understand the UAE market and explore opportunities to establish and grow their businesses in Dubai.
The programme combines UAE market orientation, a platform for startups to pitch their businesses to investors relevant to their industries, and access to supporting infrastructure that can make a soft landing in the UAE easier.
Participating founders are introduced to what they can expect when entering the UAE ecosystem, including the wider business environment, market opportunities, local expectations and cultural considerations.
Rather than approaching Dubai only as a location for company formation, the programme helps startups build a clearer understanding of the environment they would be entering and how they may position themselves within it.
Connecting technology startups with relevant investors
A key part of the programme was giving the startups an opportunity to pitch directly to investors in Dubai who were relevant to their industries.
Each company was able to introduce its technology, explain its business model and present its future plans to people who understood the sector in which it operated.
The Pitch Night created a platform for meaningful conversations, feedback and potential connections that could support the startups as they considered entering the UAE market.
The pitching session was followed by dinner, creating a more informal setting for founders, investors and participants to continue conversations and build relationships.
Exploring Dubai’s technology ecosystem
The programme also included a tour of the Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (DTEC).
As the participating companies were technology startups, the visit gave them an opportunity to see an ecosystem designed specifically to support entrepreneurs and technology businesses.
The tour introduced founders to another potential platform through which they could establish themselves in Dubai, while allowing them to better understand the facilities, networks and support available to technology companies.
A platform for international market entry
The soft-landing programme helps ambitious technology companies move from interest in Dubai to a clearer understanding of how they could enter the market.
By combining UAE market orientation, direct investor pitching, industry conversations and exposure to supporting infrastructure, the programme gives founders a practical starting point from which to evaluate their next steps.
Across two successful programme years, participating startups have gained a clearer view of the UAE market, presented their businesses to relevant investors and explored infrastructure designed to support technology entrepreneurs.
The continuing programme reflects FTP Academy’s role in connecting international businesses with learning, relationships and opportunities within Dubai.
