Dubai SME partners with Deliveroo to support Emirati businesses in a landmark collaboration that aims to boost small and medium-sized enterprises across the UAE’s food and beverage (F&B) sector. The partnership highlights Dubai’s continued efforts to foster entrepreneurship, empower local talent, and build a competitive ecosystem that strengthens the national economy.
The announcement reflects the city’s broader strategy of diversifying economic growth by supporting SMEs, which already form the backbone of the UAE economy. By joining hands with Deliveroo, one of the world’s leading online food delivery platforms, Dubai SME is providing Emirati entrepreneurs with greater visibility, access to customers, and the digital tools needed to thrive in a highly competitive market.
Dubai SME Partners with Deliveroo: Empowering Emirati Entrepreneurs
The collaboration between Dubai SME and Deliveroo has a clear mission—to empower Emirati-owned businesses by giving them direct access to the food delivery platform’s large customer base. For many small F&B startups, breaking into the market is often one of the toughest challenges. With Deliveroo’s strong presence across the UAE and advanced digital infrastructure, local entrepreneurs can now expand their reach and grow their customer base without needing heavy upfront investments.
By leveraging Deliveroo’s technology, logistics network, and marketing resources, Emirati entrepreneurs can focus more on improving their product offerings while letting the platform handle deliveries and customer engagement. This move not only boosts sales but also increases brand recognition in a competitive industry.
Strengthening Dubai’s SME Ecosystem
Dubai SME partners with Deliveroo at a time when the UAE government is putting unprecedented focus on nurturing SMEs. With more than 94% of companies in the UAE classified as SMEs, the sector plays a critical role in creating jobs, driving innovation, and supporting economic resilience.
The partnership creates an ecosystem where Emirati-owned restaurants, home-grown cafes, and startups in the F&B space can thrive. By connecting them with thousands of customers daily, Dubai SME ensures that small businesses are not left behind in the digital economy.
This initiative also aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy and position the city among the top three global urban economies over the next decade.
Dubai SME Partners with Deliveroo: Key Benefits for Local Businesses
The MoU between Dubai SME and Deliveroo provides several benefits that are designed to support the long-term success of Emirati SMEs:
- Increased Market Access: Emirati F&B businesses can reach a much wider customer base through Deliveroo’s delivery platform.
- Digital Integration: SMEs gain access to technology-driven solutions such as order tracking, real-time customer feedback, and digital payment systems.
- Marketing Support: Deliveroo provides promotional campaigns that highlight Emirati-owned businesses, ensuring they gain visibility.
- Operational Efficiency: Entrepreneurs save on delivery logistics and can rely on Deliveroo’s established network of drivers.
- Training Programs: Dubai SME will coordinate training sessions on digital adoption, customer service, and brand building.
These benefits directly contribute to helping SMEs compete effectively against established international brands.
A Boost for the UAE’s F&B Sector
The food and beverage industry in the UAE is highly competitive, with multinational chains, luxury dining outlets, and innovative home-grown brands vying for consumer attention. By creating a dedicated support system for Emirati-owned outlets, Dubai SME ensures that local businesses can carve out their space in this crowded marketplace.
Deliveroo’s platform, known for connecting customers with thousands of dining options, will now act as a launchpad for Emirati businesses, offering them equal opportunities to compete on quality, service, and innovation.
Supporting Digital Transformation
Another key outcome of the Dubai SME and Deliveroo partnership is the acceleration of digital transformation among Emirati SMEs. Many small businesses face challenges in adopting digital technologies due to cost and lack of expertise. By partnering with Deliveroo, they automatically gain access to an established digital infrastructure.
From managing customer orders online to using data analytics for understanding consumer behavior, Emirati SMEs will be better equipped to make informed decisions that drive growth. This aligns perfectly with the UAE’s national strategy for digital economy development, which places SMEs at the center of innovation.
Dubai SME Partners with Deliveroo: Voices from the Leadership
Leaders from both Dubai SME and Deliveroo emphasized the importance of the partnership. Dubai SME highlighted that Emirati-owned businesses represent the future of Dubai’s economy and that empowering them ensures long-term national prosperity. Deliveroo executives noted their commitment to supporting local entrepreneurship and strengthening the communities where they operate.
The collaboration has been described as a model for public-private partnerships, where government entities and private platforms work together to drive shared economic goals.
Encouraging Youth and Women Entrepreneurs
A special focus of the partnership is to encourage more youth and women entrepreneurs to enter the SME sector. Women-owned businesses in Dubai have been steadily growing, and many of them are involved in the F&B industry. This initiative will provide women entrepreneurs the resources they need to scale their ventures.
Similarly, young Emiratis who are passionate about launching F&B startups will gain the mentorship and exposure required to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses. Dubai SME and Deliveroo will jointly develop programs to inspire innovation and ensure that these businesses remain competitive.
Wider Economic Impact
Beyond supporting small businesses, the Dubai SME and Deliveroo partnership is expected to create wider economic benefits. More thriving SMEs mean more job opportunities for locals and expatriates, increased tax contributions, and stronger economic diversification.
Additionally, by highlighting Emirati-owned businesses on an international platform like Deliveroo, Dubai is enhancing its reputation as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. This, in turn, attracts more investment into the SME sector.
Looking Ahead: The Future of SME Support
The collaboration between Dubai SME and Deliveroo is only the beginning. Future plans include expanding support beyond the F&B sector into retail, services, and creative industries. By replicating the success of this partnership, Dubai aims to build a robust framework that ensures SMEs remain at the forefront of economic growth.
Entrepreneurs will also be encouraged to integrate sustainability practices, such as eco-friendly packaging and reducing food waste, which aligns with the UAE’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
Conclusion
Dubai SME partners with Deliveroo to support Emirati businesses in a groundbreaking collaboration that blends technology, entrepreneurship, and government support. By empowering local F&B entrepreneurs with tools, visibility, and training, this initiative not only strengthens SMEs but also contributes to Dubai’s long-term economic vision.
Through this partnership, the UAE is sending a powerful message: the future of its economy rests in the hands of innovative, determined, and digitally empowered small businesses.
Do follow UAE Stories on Instagram
The Dubai Metro Just Got a Huge Upgrade
