Funding, mentorship & market access: How Dubai is levelling the playing field for women founders

What does it take for a woman entrepreneur to turn her vision into a thriving global venture? Beyond ambition and innovation, access to the right resources, networks, and policies can loom large. Aren＊t they?

Across the world, governments are taking steps to support women-led enterprises, and in recent years, several initiatives have emerged to bridge the gap in funding, mentorship, and market access.

Among them, Dubai has emerged as a dynamic hub, offering dedicated funding programs like She Wins Arabia, 100% business ownership in free zones, mentorship opportunities via the Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) and many more.

Strengthened by growing India-UAE trade ties and cross-border investments, the city is becoming a strategic launchpad for Indian women entrepreneurs looking to scale their ventures globally.

Dubai＊s Commitment to Women＊s Economic Empowerment

Dubai is emerging as a key hub for women entrepreneurs, driven by progressive policies and leadership programs that promote gender inclusivity. The UAE Gender Balance Council plays a vital role in shaping policies that ensure equal opportunities in business and leadership.

Initiatives like She Wins Arabia provide targeted financial support to female-led businesses, addressing funding gaps and enabling growth. Government-backed incubators, such as the DBWC, offer mentorship and networking, fostering a supportive community for women entrepreneurs.

These platforms provide essential business guidance and create a supportive community for women to connect, collaborate, and grow.

Supporting this, Aakanksha Tangri, Founder of Re:Set, stated, "Dubai＊s commitment to gender inclusion is paving the way for more women-led startups. By tapping into these opportunities, Indian women entrepreneurs can establish a strong presence in Dubai＊s thriving business landscape.§

Veena Munganahalli, an Angel Investor in Dubai, underscored the positive impact of the region＊s policies and shared her guidance. She said "Through the angel investing network 每 Angel Spark 每 that I am a part of, we have regular pitch events, many of whom are Indian or have deep India connections.§

Image credit: Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism

A thriving startup ecosystem for women entrepreneurs

Dubai＊s startup ecosystem is empowering women entrepreneurs through strategic advantages and targeted support. Free zones like Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) offer 100% foreign ownership, tax benefits, and streamlined regulations, reducing bureaucracy and enabling businesses to scale seamlessly.

Angana Maheshwari, Founder and CEO of Veganologie, highlights how Dubai＊s global connectivity and thriving ecosystem provide an ideal launchpad for purpose-driven ventures.

"After meeting with HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, I know that the government rewards such initiatives and feels proud to call brands like Veganologie homegrown.§

Beyond policies, Dubai actively nurtures women-led startups through co-working spaces, accelerators, and mentorship programs. Platforms like Womena invest in female founders, while DBWC offers essential networking and business development support.

This ecosystem is fostering many inspiring Indian women entrepreneurs. Citing a few examples Munganahalli highlights, Ashna Mehta disrupts luxury jewellery with trendy designs, Nikita and Rhea Patel lead women-centric co-working spaces, and Anisha Oberoi＊s Secret Skin champions chemical-free beauty. Meanwhile, Sima Ved＊s Apparel Group stands among the region＊s top ventures.

Tangri highlighted, "Dubai＊s rise as a global startup hub is attracting top talent and fostering valuable partnerships. The focus on employee well-being is growing, with investors and leaders seeing it as a competitive advantage.§

High-growth sectors like fintech, e-commerce, and sustainability are seeing a surge in women-led ventures, driven by Dubai＊s focus on innovation and strategic investments.

Maheshwari emphasised "As a female founder, I＊ve found Dubai＊s startup ecosystem incredibly supportive. From access to accelerators and funding opportunities to a growing network of female entrepreneurs, the city fosters an environment where innovation thrives. The citi＊s commitment to sustainability and female empowerment has been instrumental in Veganologie＊s growth.§

The India-Dubai connection! A gateway for women entrepreneurs & investors

The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has opened new doors for Indian women entrepreneurs, making it easier to expand their businesses into Dubai. Tangri noted,

"The UAE-India relationship is one of the most powerful economic and social partnerships. With Dubai＊s business-friendly environment, capital access, and strong networks, Indian female founders can set up or scale their ventures here with greater visibility.§

By reducing trade barriers and enhancing market access, CEPA boosts Dubai as a global gateway, enabling Indian women-led startups to scale across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe through its prime location and world-class free zones.

Maheshwari said, "The commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050, along with initiatives like the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy and Dubai Can initiative for clean drinking water, has created an ecosystem where sustainable businesses can thrive.§

This synergy extends to investment opportunities, with women taking the lead in venture capital and angel investing. Private firms and regulatory hubs like DIFC provide strong financial backing, enabling female entrepreneurs to access funding and expand into high-growth sectors such as real estate, technology, and sustainability.

When asked about Dubai's appeal, Tangri highlighted, "We stand out as a beacon of stability and prosperity... well-being is a business imperative, not a luxury. Dubai＊s position as a global innovation hub and ease of doing business has allowed us to scale our impact quickly.§

She further noted, "The leadership＊s commitment to forward-thinking policies has made it an ideal base for us〞prioritising data-driven and science-based scalable solutions.§

As more Indian women founders and investors establish their presence in Dubai, the city continues to foster an inclusive and dynamic ecosystem that fuels cross-border entrepreneurship and economic diversification.

Challenges & The Road Ahead for Women Entrepreneurs in Dubai

Dubai＊s progressive ecosystem continues to open doors for women entrepreneurs, who are steadily overcoming challenges like funding gaps and industry perceptions.

Munganahalli highlighted, "Many entrepreneurs do not make the effort to equip themselves with the local language and cultural nuances.§

To overcome these, she suggested proactive networking and mentorship, emphasizing, "Indian female entrepreneurs can reach out to other Indian female business leaders... actively reaching out to relevant mentors is a very effective way to skill up.§ She also advised leveraging India as a resource hub and stressed that entrepreneurs should ※not wait for opportunities to come knocking but instead create their own.§

When asked about potential growth areas for women entrepreneurs in Dubai, Tangri asserted, "It's endless... I would love to see women in AI, gaming, fintech, and health at the forefront of innovation."

Maheshwari added, "For sustainable fashion and lifestyle brands, Dubai offers distinct advantages〞global connectivity, government-backed initiatives, and an eco-conscious consumer base.§

Munganahalli concluded, "There are numerous peer-to-peer networking platforms and investor-focused accelerator programs that empower women entrepreneurs. Organisations like TiE Dubai provide invaluable female-focused networking and learning opportunities, while industry events such as STEP and GITEX open doors to collaboration, funding, and global exposure."

Dubai serves as a powerful springboard for women entrepreneurs, backed by forward-looking policies, robust India-UAE collaboration, and a dynamic startup ecosystem that fuels global growth.