Dubai is charting a deliberate pivot from its traditional strengths - to emerge as a global center for deep technology innovation. The city’s new RDI (Research, Development & Innovation) grants initiative offers non-dilutive funding to promising deep-tech founders, along with access to operational testbeds and field validation in the city’s real-world environment.
Agna Capital’s Senior Executive Officer, Pranav Sharma, underscores the significance: this is not an exercise in tokenism but a measured shift toward supporting research with tangible, international impact.
For Dubai residents, researchers, and entrepreneurs, the initiative signals a city ready to invest beyond tourism or real estate - one seeking to incubate breakthroughs that can influence industries globally.
Photo credits: Dubai Instagram
Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.
Oksana Bozhko
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