Ras al khaimah: Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF), a federal initiative launched by the Ministry of Finance, to enhance support for innovators, startups, and growth-stage businesses within its ecosystem.
According to Emirates News Agency, the partnership was formalised during a signing ceremony at Compass Coworking Centre, attended by MBRIF Head Shaker Zainal and RAKEZ Chief Government and Corporate Relations Officer Yaser Abdulla Al Ahmed. The collaboration aims to assist innovative businesses in accessing funding support, ecosystem connections, and growth opportunities that facilitate scalability and market expansion.
Through this partnership, RAKEZ customers will have access to a broader range of support services designed to accelerate business growth. This includes financing pathways and funding support through MBRIF, along with structured mentorship and expert advisory to help businesses strengthen their models and scale effectively.
The collaboration will also provide access to joint workshops and innovation programmes focused on practical areas such as growth strategy, financial planning, and market expansion. These offerings will be complemented by RAKEZ’s streamlined business set-up, licensing, and operational support, as well as access to a wider ecosystem of partners, investors, and networks, intended to help businesses launch, grow, and expand confidently while achieving sustainable, impact-driven outcomes.
Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at the Ministry of Finance and MBRIF representative, Fatima Yousif Alnaqbi, commented on the partnership’s role in advancing the UAE’s innovation ecosystem and supporting the vision for a competitive, knowledge-based economy. She emphasized that such collaborations help expand support for high-potential businesses by enhancing access to financing, strategic guidance, and growth opportunities.
RAKEZ Group CEO, Ramy Jallad, highlighted the critical role of innovation in shaping resilient, future-ready economies. He noted that the partnership with MBRIF is creating stronger pathways for startups and growth-stage businesses within the RAKEZ ecosystem to access specialized support, funding opportunities, and strategic networks to accelerate their growth journeys. The collaboration underlines RAKEZ’s focus on building an environment where innovative businesses can scale confidently from Ras Al Khaimah.
By integrating funding, mentorship, and innovation support with a seamless business setup and operating environment, the partnership ensures that startups and SMEs have the necessary resources at every stage of their growth journey. RAKEZ and MBRIF will continue to work closely to help innovative businesses scale confidently and unlock new opportunities within the UAE’s evolving innovation landscape.