DUBAI — Dubai Startup Hub, an entrepreneurship initiative of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Chamber’s representative office in India, have officially kicked off the first-ever Dubai Tech Tour, a virtual trade mission joined by 15 promising Indian scale-ups specializing in fintech and health tech. Organized by Dubai Startup Hub in partnership with Startup India and Mumbai Fintech Hub, the Dubai Tech Tour will familiarize delegates with Dubai’s economy and business environment, as well as the competitive advantages that the emirate offers, such as its ease of doing business and strategic position allowing easy access to markets across the Middle East. The Indian scale-ups were shortlisted from a pool of 200 candidates who applied to take part in the trade mission. During the mission, the delegates will connect with relevant UAE stakeholders, including investors, corporates, and peer scale-ups, pitch their businesses, and participate in business matchmaking sessions organized by Dubai Chamber. The first-of-its-kind trade mission aims to boost UAE-India collaboration in innovation-focused sectors, explore bilateral business opportunities in health tech and fintech, and attract high-potential entrepreneurs who are bringing cutting-edge solutions to the Dubai market. The initiative is a continuation of the Dubai Chamber’s Mumbai office and Dubai Startup Hub’s combined efforts to attract Indian scale-ups and start-ups that can support Dubai’s innovation strategy and transition to a knowledge-based economy. These efforts began last year when Dubai Startup Hub organized a roadshow to New Delhi and Bengaluru in cooperation with Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus the largest hub of its kind in the region and wholly-owned by Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, where two Indian start-ups were selected as part of a competition and awarded office space at DTEC. Established by Dubai Chamber in 2016, Dubai Startup Hub is the first initiative of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region. The hub has been designed to emphasize the value of public and private sector collaboration and aims to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship as the main driver of the economy of Dubai and the UAE. — WAM