Dubai: Innovation Hub, affiliated with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), announced the expansion of its international ecosystem into emerging entrepreneurial markets in the Global South through a strategic partnership with Foundation Hub in Sulaimaniyah. The initiative is designed to establish a structured innovation pathway between Dubai and the Kurdistan Region, aiming to connect startups with investors, corporations, and global markets.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the partnership was formalized with the signing of an agreement by Mohammed Al Balooshi, CEO of Innovation Hub, and Safeen Ghafoor, CEO of Foundation Hub. The ceremony was attended by Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, and Arif Amiri, CEO of the DIFC Authority.

The collaboration features two specialized workshops in Kurdistan to identify promising startups, providing them with access to mentorship programs from industry experts and business leaders. Additionally, the initiative aims to connect these startups with venture capital funds and investment institutions, focusing primarily on fintech and artificial intelligence, while also considering other high-potential sectors.

Participating startups will have opportunities to present their innovations at the Dubai Fintech Summit, the Dubai AI Festival, and Investor Day. They will also travel to Dubai to network with companies and investors, thus broadening their market reach.

Arif Amiri emphasized that this partnership creates a tangible bridge between Dubai and Kurdistan, facilitating entrepreneurs’ entry into Dubai’s ecosystem and fostering cross-border growth.

Qubad Talabani highlighted that the agreement will link startups in Kurdistan with Dubai, offering young entrepreneurs the chance to develop their projects and compete on a regional and international scale. This initiative also aims to enhance Sulaimaniyah’s status as a regional innovation hub.

The partnership is set to establish a reciprocal pathway, allowing investors and startups in the UAE to explore the burgeoning opportunities within Kurdistan’s technology sector.