In an exciting move to strengthen the UAE’s startup ecosystem, SC Ventures, the innovation and ventures arm of Standard Chartered, has teamed up with the DIFC Innovation Hub to launch the National Venture Studio in Dubai. This partnership is set to supercharge innovation, accelerate venture creation, and help entrepreneurs build impactful tech-driven startups.
A Big Boost for Startup Development
At the heart of this initiative is SC Ventures’ “Venture Building as a Service” (VBaaS) model. VBaaS is a powerful framework that supports startups from idea to scale. This approach provides all the essential tools, global expertise, and operational structure to help innovators turn great ideas into real-world ventures.
Whether it’s ideation, prototyping, founder matching, or scaling, this model covers every aspect of the venture journey. And now, thanks to this partnership, the same successful formula will be brought to DIFC’s innovation-focused environment.
Why This Partnership Matters
This isn’t just another startup program. It’s a strategic move that brings together the global experience of SC Ventures and the regional strength of DIFC Innovation Hub. Together, they’re creating a dynamic space for:
- ✅ New venture creation
- ✅ Corporate innovation programs
- ✅ Entrepreneur support and ecosystem building
- ✅ Government and public sector collaboration
- ✅ Research and co-hosted events
The National Venture Studio will serve as a launchpad for individuals, corporates, and government entities. It will help them to co-create solutions that address both regional and global challenges.
Voices Behind the Vision
“DIFC has a 20-year legacy of supporting innovation in the UAE, and this partnership reflects our commitment to shaping the future of entrepreneurship in the region,”
— Gautam Jain, Operating Member, SC Ventures
By leveraging SC Ventures’ proven VBaaS model, DIFC Innovation Hub is looking to provide local innovators with the right mix of mentorship. Along with that, it will help them with market access, and technical support needed to thrive.
“This partnership reinforces our mission to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the UAE,”
— Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO, DIFC Innovation Hub
Supporting the UAE’s Innovation Agenda
As the UAE accelerates its journey toward becoming a global innovation hub, the launch of the National Venture Studio is a key milestone. The initiative not only nurtures homegrown talent and solutions but also supports the country’s goals of economic diversification, digital transformation, and global competitiveness.
With a collaborative model that welcomes input from the public and private sectors, this studio aims to deliver tangible impact. Its effect will fall on various industries, from fintech and healthtech to sustainability and smart cities.
What does all this mean?
The launch of the National Venture Studio marks a transformative step in the UAE’s innovation ecosystem. By combining global expertise with local ambition, SC Ventures and DIFC Innovation Hub are creating a space where bold ideas can thrive and startups can scale beyond borders.
Stay tuned, because this is just the beginning of a new era of venture building in the Middle East.