DLD Launches Emirati Real Estate Incubator to Support 50 Brokerage Firms

Dubai, UAE – September 30, 2025: The Dubai Land Department (DLD) announced on Monday the launch of the Emirati Real Estate Business Incubator, a six-month program created in collaboration with Dubai Silicon Oasis, the New Economy Academy, and the Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai (RIT Dubai).

The first edition of the program will begin on October 27 at Dubai Silicon Oasis, the specialized economic zone for knowledge and innovation under the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ). The initiative will incubate 50 Emirati real estate firms, supporting their transition from independent brokers to established, full-time real estate agencies. The program’s goal is to provide participants with the skills needed to build their own brokerage firms, enter the market with confidence, and manage their businesses according to global best practices.

Part of UAE’s Startup Capital Campaign

The incubator is part of the “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World” national campaign, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The campaign seeks to cement the UAE’s status as a global hub for entrepreneurship.

The campaign is overseen by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism in collaboration with the UAE Government Media Office, with the participation of the UAE Council for Entrepreneurship and more than 50 government entities, private organizations, business incubators and accelerators, and academic institutions.

Building the Next Generation of Emirati Brokers

At the launch event, Omar Hamad Bushahab, Director-General of DLD, highlighted the department’s commitment to empowering Emiratis in real estate.

“Through this incubator, we aim to build a new generation of Emirati brokers who can establish leading brokerage firms, contributing to the market’s sustainability and solidifying the UAE’s position as a global hub for real estate investment,” he said.

Bushahab also confirmed that the Dubai Real Estate Broker Program, launched in 2024, has significantly increased Emirati participation in the sector. Since its inception, 1,800 new Emirati brokers have joined an existing 700, making up part of Dubai’s total of 30,000 brokers. In that time, Emirati brokers completed transactions worth AED 10 billion (USD 2.7 billion).

“Through collaboration with our partners, we aim to empower more Emirati firms to contribute to sustainability and leadership of the UAE’s real estate sector,” Bushahab added.

A Curriculum Designed for Market Leadership

The Emirati Real Estate Business Incubator curriculum is designed to give participants a comprehensive understanding of the UAE real estate market. It covers regulatory and financial procedures, market analysis, and feasibility studies, while exploring how economic growth impacts the property sector.

Key areas include:

• Legal foundations of starting a business, contract drafting, and corporate structures.
• Human and financial resource management, and partnerships with banks and developers.
• Technology and AI adoption in real estate operations.
• Professional ethics and conduct to meet international standards.
• Sales and client relationship management, plus brand-building through media and social media marketing.
• Participants will also develop complete business plans and gain hands-on skills to position themselves as competitive firms in both local and regional markets.

Certification and Long-Term Support

Upon completion, participants will receive an accredited certificate from the program’s academic partners. They will also benefit from a full year of professional follow-up and one-on-one mentorship with experienced industry consultants, ensuring they are well equipped to establish sustainable and successful businesses.

The Emirati Real Estate Business Incubator is a strategic initiative to empower national talent and strengthen the UAE’s brokerage ecosystem, fully aligned with the country’s vision of a sustainable, innovation-driven economy.