Dubai has been named the third most startup-friendly city in the world in the Startup Friendly Cities Index 2026, published by global platform Multipolitan. The emirate ranked just behind San Francisco and Zurich, surpassing major hubs including London, Paris, and New York.
Source: Startup Friendly Cities Index 2026
The ranking reflects Dubai’s emergence as a global entrepreneurship hub, driven by fast company setup processes, digital infrastructure, and policies designed to attract international talent. Founders in Dubai can often establish a business in around a week, highlighting the city’s regulatory efficiency and low-friction environment.
The index assessed 28 cities across startup activity, digital connectivity, young talent, quality of life, and business agility. Dubai scored particularly high on ease of incorporation, competitive tax structures, and cosmopolitan living, positioning it as an attractive destination for global entrepreneurs.
In addition to its business-friendly ecosystem, Dubai excelled in talent retention and quality of life, outperforming cities such as San Francisco, Tokyo, London, and New York in measures of education, safety, healthcare, and purchasing power.
While the emirate’s startup ecosystem continues to grow, Multipolitan notes that Dubai still has room to expand in terms of unicorn numbers and venture capital depth. Nevertheless, the city’s digital governance, residency programmes, and financial zones like DIFC and ADGM are reshaping the landscape of modern entrepreneurship.
“The geography of entrepreneurship is shifting,” said Nirbhay Handa, CEO and co-founder of Multipolitan. “Cities that reduce friction for founders are becoming more competitive globally.”
Other top cities in the 2026 index include Singapore (4th), New York City (5th), Los Angeles (6th), Seoul (7th), London (8th), Hong Kong (9th), and Paris (10th), reflecting a broader eastward shift in global innovation hubs.
Dubai’s strong showing confirms its growing status as a dynamic, international destination for startups, combining speed, innovation, and lifestyle advantages that appeal to founders worldwide.
