IFZA has launched its inaugural Scale360 accelerator, a market access program designed to connect international startups with the UAE’s thriving business ecosystem.

The program kicked off with a Dubai Immersion Week during GITEX Global 2025, welcoming 15 global startups specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability. The cohort includes Groundup.ai, BrandContext, Nucleon Security, Organized Matter, GlassHUB, ShareID, Tayar | طيار, ISTINA AI, Power Dime, Sensgreen, nettle, RELAYTO AI, 913.ai, Interloom, and Synteza AI, spanning sectors from retail and banking to defence and green technology.

“At IFZA, our focus is to empower entrepreneurs and attract high-potential ventures to the UAE,” said Julia Timms, Chief Commercial Officer at IFZA. “Scale360 was created to support the success of international startups entering this market – helping them navigate the business landscape, connect with investors, and launch with confidence. As a partner of choice, IFZA is proud to contribute to an ecosystem where collaboration drives real growth.”

During the immersion week, Scale360 partnered with Shorooq Partners for their annual GITEX Social, one of the region’s most influential startup networking events. The gathering brought together over 300 investors, partners, and ecosystem enablers, including other partners NVIDIA, Taylor Wessing, ElevenLabs, LimonCloud, and Verod-Kepple. The event coincided with Shorooq’s recent announcement of a $100 million AI fund, aligning with the UAE’s Vision 2031 and its ambition to lead in AI and sustainability.

A highlight of the program so far was the fireside chat “Do’s and Don’ts for Foreign Startups Entering the UAE”, featuring Gilles Praet (Sentiance), Fabrizio Siracusano (serial entrepreneur and innovation expert), and Yahya Iqelan (MBZUAI). The panel explored how public, private, and entrepreneurial sectors collaborate to drive growth and shared actionable insights for startups entering the UAE market.

“Scale360 bridges ambition with access,” said Sinead O’Keeffe, Head of Scale360. “Our role is to ensure international startups can enter the UAE market ready to collaborate, contribute, and grow alongside the region’s most forward-looking partners.”

The program also highlights the pivotal role of free zones in supporting startup growth, offering infrastructure, incentives, and access to regional markets. Its emphasis on AI and sustainability aligns with the UAE’s National AI Strategy 2031 and Net Zero by 2050 goals, reinforcing Dubai’s leadership in emerging technologies and green innovation.

The Scale360 cohort will continue to engage with corporate partners and investors in the coming weeks, culminating in Demo Day in November 2025, where startups will showcase their progress and pitch to potential investors.

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IFZA announces its sponsorship of the 11th edition of the World Free Zones Organization (WFZO) Annual Congress, held this October under the theme “Zones: Gateways to Global Prosperity, Trade, and Sustainable Innovation.”

Taking place in Hainan, China, from October 10–12, 2025, the conference is the world’s premier platform for free zone leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore the evolving role of special economic zones in driving trade, sustainability, and economic growth. Over three dynamic days, the event will feature visionary keynotes, high-impact panels, and strategic leadership tracks aimed at delivering actionable solutions for a rapidly changing global economy.

“At IFZA we believe that business is the driver of economies and prosperity, which is the backbone of nations,” said Jochen Knecht, IFZA CEO. “We are committed to supporting Chinese businesses in their international expansion and are once again delighted to be part of this global dialogue on the transformative role of free zones. Entrepreneurship shapes economies, creates jobs and uplifts communities. We mirror this at IFZA, as we believe in building global ecosystems that nurture innovation and exchange – empowering businesses and communities to thrive. That is the vision we are bringing to the World FZO Congress.”

In an era defined by technological disruption and supply chain shifts, free zones are transforming into innovation-driven ecosystems that fuel inclusive and sustainable growth.

Senior IFZA executives, including CEO Jochen Knecht and Patrick Kuehl, Regional Director Market Relations, will participate in key panels and conversations at the event to highlight opportunities for Chinese businesses looking to expand their operations beyond borders.

IFZA is well positioned to support Chinese businesses looking to expand their business operations internationally. For entrepreneurs specifically looking to expand their businesses from China to the Middle East, Dubai is the perfect hub and IFZA is the ideal platform for business incorporation, growth and expansion within the region.

The World FZO World Congress 2025 is set to be a landmark event, reaffirming the role of zones as engines of prosperity and platforms for global collaboration.

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