At this year’s dynamic Make it in the Emirates forum, the spotlight wasn’t just on industry—it was on innovation with a bold Emirati spirit. The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development stepped in as a driving force, empowering small and medium-sized Emirati enterprises (SMEs) to put their game-changing ideas on full display. From cutting-edge artificial intelligence startups to sustainable steel manufacturing, the Fund’s support proved instrumental in turning local visions into national triumphs.
SMEs backed by Khalifa Fund presented a wide array of projects tackling real-world challenges in sectors as diverse as healthcare, real estate, industrial manufacturing, and AI technology. With digital sovereignty and sustainability as key pillars, these ventures weren’t just pitching products—they were presenting the future. Whether it was a breakthrough in eco-friendly steel production or a next-gen AI tool for urban planning, each project reflected the UAE’s relentless commitment to technological advancement and homegrown excellence.
The Fund’s participation also aligned closely with the national goals outlined in the UAE’s industrial strategy. It emphasized creating a robust, diversified economy built on innovation, resilience, and self-sufficiency. By empowering Emirati entrepreneurs with financial support, mentorship, and a global platform, Khalifa Fund is transforming SMEs into drivers of the country’s economic engine.
Events like “Make it in the Emirates” are more than exhibitions—they are launchpads. And Khalifa Fund’s presence ensured that Emirati innovators didn’t just attend—they led. The projects were forward-looking, environmentally conscious, and digitally sophisticated, showcasing exactly what the UAE envisions for its industrial and technological future.
From AI-powered healthcare diagnostics to smart construction solutions, these SMEs reflected the creative energy pulsing through the Emirates. As the country races toward a knowledge-based economy, Khalifa Fund is proving that when you invest in local minds, you generate global impact.
So yes, in the halls of “Make it in the Emirates,” the message was loud and clear: the future is being made right here—and it’s being made by Emiratis.
