Dubai — Startups incubated under Dubai’s in5 have raised a total of AED 9 billion ($2.45 billion) in funding since the platform’s launch, marking a 14% increase over the previous year and reinforcing Dubai’s standing as a global innovation and entrepreneurship hub.
The milestone was announced at the 10th anniversary edition of Expand North Star 2025, held at Dubai Harbour, according to the WAM news agency.
Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President at TECOM Group, said the achievement reflects the incubator’s vital role in building Dubai’s knowledge economy.
“The remarkable journey of in5’s startups past the AED 9 billion funding mark indicates their profound impact on the innovation economy,” he said. “Each success story contributes to shaping a brighter global future from Dubai, aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”
A Decade of Empowering Entrepreneurs
Since its establishment in 2013 by TECOM Group — curator of 10 specialized business districts — in5 has nurtured over 1,100 startups across four core verticals:
- Technology – based at Dubai Internet City
- Media – based at Dubai Production City
- Design – based at Dubai Design District (d3)
- Science – launched in collaboration with Dubai Science Park
Each vertical provides founders with tailored infrastructure, mentorship, and access to investors, reinforcing Dubai’s role as a launchpad for innovation-driven enterprises.
Showcasing Innovation at Expand North Star 2025
At the 2025 event, in5 highlighted several standout members of its ecosystem, including:
- Bellboy, an AI-powered SaaS platform automating hospitality services;
- Gainz, a fintech startup connecting retail investors with institutional-grade debt financing opportunities; and
- MyGatePass, a visitor management solution integrated with UAE Pass for frictionless access control.
Driving Dubai’s D33 Innovation Agenda
As Dubai advances its D33 Economic Agenda, which aims to double the city’s economy and position it among the world’s top three urban economies, in5 continues to act as a catalyst for high-impact entrepreneurship.
By providing access to capital, infrastructure, and mentorship, in5 plays a central role in fueling the next generation of innovators shaping industries across technology, media, design, and science — cementing Dubai’s reputation as a global center for startups and digital transformation.
