- Does my business have to be based in Dubai for DF2 to invest?
Dubai has long been the leading startup tech hub and has consistently ranked first in terms of number of deals and amount of capital. Meanwhile, we view our geographic scope in terms of several concentric circles, starting with Dubai at the center, followed by the UAE, the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan and Turkey (MENAPT), and Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) and then global.
We invest mostly in the startups and funds that power Dubai’s future growth and position it as a preferred destination for global talent and entrepreneurship, as well as those that serve the wider MENAPT and MEASA regions.
- What is the availability of capital for tech startups in Dubai?
The availability of capital for tech startups in Dubai has been increasing in recent years, with a growing number of venture capital firms, angel investors, and accelerators active in the ecosystem. The government has also been promoting entrepreneurship and innovation through initiatives, which provide funding and support to startups working on innovative projects. Additionally, many large multinational companies have a presence in Dubai, which can provide opportunities for startups to secure corporate partnerships and investments. Furthermore, Dubai is becoming a hub for many regional and international investors, which can provide access to a wider pool of capital for startups.
- What is the availability of tech talent in Dubai for startups?
Dubai has a diverse and growing pool of tech talent, which can be accessed by startups. The government has been investing in education and training programs to promote the development of tech skills, as well as encouraging the immigration of skilled professionals (e.g. Golden Visa scheme). Additionally, the emirate is home to a number of universities and technical institutes that offer IT and engineering programs, which provide a steady stream of graduates with relevant skills. Furthermore, many large multinational companies have a presence in Dubai, and this has led to a number of experienced professionals in the local market.
- What are the costs associated with setting up a tech startup in Dubai?
Costs associated with setting up a tech startup in Dubai can vary depending on the nature of the business and the location of the office. Some costs to consider include company registration fees, trade license fees, office rental costs, employee salaries and benefits, and any necessary equipment or software. These costs will vary based on where in Dubai you set up your business, and the best location to set up a tech startup will depend on the nature of the business and the target market. Some popular areas for tech startups include the Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Dubai Internet City.
FAQs
Everything you need to know about
the Dubai Future District Fund
Why
Dubai?
UAE Startup
Ecosystem
DF2 Investment
Mandate
Getting
Involved
Why
Dubai?
Marhaba, how can we help you?
UAE Startup
Ecosystem
Marhaba, how can we help you?
- How is DF2 different from other venture capital firms in the Middle East?
DF2 is innovating on the fund model in a way we feel best aligns with the interests of our shareholders, while addressing the needs of the founder and investor communities.
Our fund structure is evergreen, which means we aren’t beholden to the 10 year lifespan of a typical VC fund. This allows us to focus on investing in technologies with various return horizons and take a longer-term view on returns.
The open-ended nature of the fund aligns with our government-backed roots and desire to invest in truly innovative technologies of the future.
- Does my business have to be based in Dubai for DF2 to invest?
Dubai has long been the leading startup tech hub and has consistently ranked first in terms of the number of deals and amount of capital. Meanwhile, we view our geographic scope in terms of several concentric circles, starting with Dubai at the center, followed by the UAE, the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan and Turkey (MENAPT), and Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) and then global.
We invest mostly in the startups and funds that power Dubai’s future growth and position it as a preferred destination for global talent and entrepreneurship, as well as those that serve the wider MENAPT and MEASA regions.
- What is the availability of capital for tech startups in Dubai?
The availability of capital for tech startups in Dubai has been increasing in recent years, with a growing number of venture capital firms, angel investors, and accelerators active in the ecosystem. The government has also been promoting entrepreneurship and innovation through initiatives, which provide funding and support to startups working on innovative projects. Additionally, many large multinational companies have a presence in Dubai, which can provide opportunities for startups to secure corporate partnerships and investments. Furthermore, Dubai is becoming a hub for many regional and international investors, which can provide access to a wider pool of capital for startups.
- What is the availability of tech talent in Dubai for startups?
Dubai has a diverse and growing pool of tech talent, which can be accessed by startups. The government has been investing in education and training programs to promote the development of tech skills, as well as encouraging the immigration of skilled professionals (e.g. Golden Visa scheme). Additionally, the emirate is home to a number of universities and technical institutes that offer IT and engineering programs, which provide a steady stream of graduates with relevant skills. Furthermore, many large multinational companies have a presence in Dubai, and this has led to a number of experienced professionals in the local market.
- What are the costs associated with setting up a tech startup in Dubai?
Costs associated with setting up a tech startup in Dubai can vary depending on the nature of the business and the location of the office. Some costs to consider include company registration fees, trade license fees, office rental costs, employee salaries and benefits, and any necessary equipment or software. These costs will vary based on where in Dubai you set up your business, and the best location to set up a tech startup will depend on the nature of the business and the target market. Some popular areas for tech startups include the Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Dubai Internet City.
DF2 Investment
Mandate
Marhaba, how can we help you?
- Has DF2 started investing in companies?
Yes, we have started investing in Fund of Funds and well as startups within our thesis. You can view our investments on the Portfolio page on our website.
- What are your criteria for evaluating direct investment opportunities?
When evaluating direct investment opportunities in startups, we first look for companies that fit our investment thesis and mandate. That is to say that they must be developing innovative solutions that serve the Future of Finance or Future Economies, and they must serve the wider MEASA and MENAPT regions.
Following, we consider the startup’s value proposition, management team, business model, capital efficiency, competitive advantage, product, growth potential, and risks.
- How can I get in touch with DF2 to consider investing in my company?
If you are an investor and looking for funding, you can submit an application to be considered in our Fund of Funds investment thesis through our website here.
If you are a startup founder and looking for funding, you can submit an application to be considered in our direct investments investment thesis through our website here.
- What type of activities do you consider as the Future of Finance?
The Future of Finance pillar comprises the 15-20 sub-sectors of FinTech, the horizontal themes of financial inclusion and embedded finance, LegalTech, RegTech and the finance side of Web3.
You can read more about our Future of Finance thesis here on our website.
- What type of activities do you consider as Future Economies?
We look for technological innovations that are providing meaningful solutions to the problems that will face millions of people, in our own backyard and the wider region.
We look to support founders that are building unique technologies across the Future of Food, the Future of Health, the Future of Security, the Future of Work, the Future of Logistics, and the Future of Education.
You can read more about our Future Economies thesis here on our website.
- What type of funds do you invest in?
Through our Fund of Funds strategy, our aim is to support the investors who are fueling the next wave of innovative companies through investments at all stages of a startup’s lifecycle, across all key sectors and focused on the relevant geographies of the MENA region and beyond. These include incumbent regional VCs who have been investing in Dubai and international funds that demonstrate a presence and investments in Dubai and bring sector-focused VC expertise.
You can read more about our Fund of Funds thesis here on our website.
- How is DF2 different from other venture capital firms in the Middle East?
DF2 is innovating on the fund model in a way we feel best aligns with the interests of our shareholders, while addressing the needs of the founder and investor communities.
Our fund structure is evergreen, which means we aren’t beholden to the 10 year lifespan of a typical VC fund. This allows us to focus on investing in technologies with various return horizons and take a longer-term view on returns.
The open-ended nature of the fund aligns with our government-backed roots and desire to invest in truly innovative technologies of the future.
- What is DF2’s investment time horizon?
Our evergreen fund structure means that our return horizon is theoretically forever, and we’re keen on pushing the envelope on investments with deeper innovation.
Our evergreen structure allows us to support the efforts of the VC community, while allocating more patient capital into the innovative technologies of the future, such as deep-tech companies that may require longer R&D cycles or higher CapEx.
- At what stage in the startup lifecycle do you invest?
We invest directly into startups across two main strategies, Build and Catalyze, which cover approximately five stages of early-stage venture capital funding rounds from Pre-seed to Series C.
The Build strategy is primarily meant to support startups within the Dubai Future District in their earliest phases of growth and support them through value-added support of our shareholders and stakeholders of Dubai. It is focused on Pre-seed and Seed stage investments and ticket sizes range between $250,000 and $1,000,000.
Meanwhile, the Catalyze strategy focused on Series A to Series C investments and ticket sizes range between $1-7 million.
- What is DF2’s investment mandate?
The mandate of the Dubai Future District Fund is to boost startup and venture capital investing and business activity in Dubai and the wider Middle East, Africa, Pakistan, and Turkey region through an initial AED 1 billion in committed capital.
We invest 50% into venture capital funds (Fund of Funds) and 50% directly into startups in our thesis.
You can read more about our Fund of Funds thesis here, and more about our direct investment thesis here.
- Does my business have to be based in Dubai for DF2 to invest?
Dubai has long been the leading startup tech hub and has consistently ranked first in terms of the number of deals and amount of capital. Meanwhile, we view our geographic scope in terms of several concentric circles, starting with Dubai at the center, followed by the UAE, the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan and Turkey (MENAPT), and Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) and then global.
We invest mostly in the startups and funds that power Dubai’s future growth and position it as a preferred destination for global talent and entrepreneurship, as well as those that serve the wider MENAPT and MEASA regions.
Getting
Involved
Marhaba, how can we help you?
- How can I get in touch with DF2 to consider investing in my company?
If you are an investor and looking for funding, you can submit an application to be considered in our Fund of Funds investment thesis through our website here.
If you are a startup founder and looking for funding, you can submit an application to be considered in our direct investments investment thesis through our website here.
- Does my business have to be based in Dubai for DF2 to invest?
Dubai has long been the leading startup tech hub and has consistently ranked first in terms of the number of deals and amount of capital. Meanwhile, we view our geographic scope in terms of several concentric circles, starting with Dubai at the center, followed by the UAE, the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan and Turkey (MENAPT), and Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) and then global.
We invest mostly in the startups and funds that power Dubai’s future growth and position it as a preferred destination for global talent and entrepreneurship, as well as those that serve the wider MENAPT and MEASA regions.
- What are the costs associated with setting up a tech startup in Dubai?
Costs associated with setting up a tech startup in Dubai can vary depending on the nature of the business and the location of the office. Some costs to consider include company registration fees, trade license fees, office rental costs, employee salaries and benefits, and any necessary equipment or software. These costs will vary based on where in Dubai you set up your business, and the best location to set up a tech startup will depend on the nature of the business and the target market. Some popular areas for tech startups include the Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Dubai Internet City.