The UAE’s Tawazun Council has launched a new program to support Emirati startups and entrepreneurs developing defense, security, and dual-use technologies.
Announced during the Make it in the Emirates 2026 event, the Entrepreneurship Enablement Programme will be run through Tawazun’s Industrial Innovation and Artificial Intelligence Directorate.
The initiative is designed to help early-stage companies move from concept development to operational deployment, with a focus on expanding domestic technological capabilities in strategic sectors.
According to Tawazun, the program will provide business incubation, technical support, legal and intellectual property advisory services, investment guidance, and leadership development.
Participating companies will also be offered access to military testing infrastructure, research and development programs, and facilities at Tawazun Industrial Park.
The initiative also connects startups to the broader Tawazun ecosystem, including the Tawazun Economic Programme, which supports industrial participation and localization in the UAE’s defense sector.
“Our focus is on enabling national talent and startups to play a central role in developing priority future technologies,” stated Ahmed Ali Al Harmoodi, Director-General of Industry Innovation and Artificial Intelligence at Tawazun.
Rising Security Concerns
The development comes amid continued regional tensions after the recent conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the US, during which the UAE, a close US ally and key Arab partner of Israel, was targeted in Iranian missile and drone attacks.
Earlier this month, a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran appeared increasingly unstable as both sides exchanged fire near the Strait of Hormuz, while the UAE reported new attacks for the first time since the truce was announced.
