du has formed a partnership with Ignyte, a digital platform developed by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) under the Sheikh Hamdan Initiative. This collaboration aims to accelerate artificial intelligence innovation, support startups, and enhance digital inclusion across the UAE, aligning with du’s mission to foster the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through advanced digital transformation solutions for entrepreneurs.

The partnership will leverage the du Business ecosystem, providing bundled value and exclusive telecom integrations through a strategic platform collaboration designed to empower the business community. Startups will benefit from mentorship in business, technology, and telecom, which will improve their market readiness and stability.

Ignyte’s network will also facilitate connections with investors and corporations, expediting growth and increasing the chances of success for participating SMEs. This initiative aligns with du Business’ SME strategy by offering robust digital solutions that help navigate the complexities of the current business landscape, drive digital transformation, and promote business excellence.

“Through our partnership with Ignyte, we are investing in the future of the UAE’s vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem,” stated Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du. He emphasized that this collaboration enables direct support for startups by enhancing access to funding, mentoring, and problem-solving opportunities, all while providing state-of-the-art digital solutions.

Mohammad Alblooshi, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Innovation Hub, noted that this strategic alliance is a significant advancement in their commitment to fostering a vibrant and future-ready digital economy in Dubai. He mentioned that the partnership with du unlocks transformative opportunities for visionary founders, enabling them to innovate, scale ambitiously, and thrive on a global level.

Furthermore, this initiative continues and evolves du’s existing collaboration with DIFC. It moves beyond merely providing a physical workspace, as the partnership is now integrated into the DIFC platform, enhancing visibility and alignment with DIFC’s extensive ecosystem and customer base. The strategic shift emphasizes an exclusive Telco and AI Challenge collaboration, bundled offerings for du business customers, direct access to an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and a digital-first go-to-market strategy.

Through this partnership, du and Ignyte aim to lead in AI and entrepreneurship, unlocking scalable digital growth and introducing high-value use cases that will benefit the SME sector. This collaboration also aligns with the D33 agenda, which seeks to engage directly with over 100,000 entrepreneurs in the next three years, laying the foundation for innovative and entrepreneurial success in the region.