Refill stations in Dubai malls, mapped

Woman using refill stations inside Dubai Mall

Refill stations inside Dubai Mall and City Centre Deira only help a shopper who knows where to find them. The Dubai Can initiative launched in February 2022 and has grown into a citywide network of free water points, but mall directories rarely mark them clearly. This guide lists the real taps, floors and brands behind … Read more

Dubai business: turn your side hustle legal

A focused entrepreneur reviews her Dubai business registration documents at a modern office desk in the UAE

Dubai business data tells a clear story: the UAE’s gig economy is growing faster than its licensing rate, and every unlicensed operator is carrying regulatory and financial risk that a formal structure can eliminate before the calendar resets. Why your side hustle needs a legal structure now Operating an unlicensed business in the UAE can … Read more

Dubai property market: what comes next

A professional investor reviews Dubai property market data and transaction reports at her desk

Dubai property is entering a more selective, data-driven phase in 2026, and the signals from the region’s biggest real estate gathering are pointing in one clear direction: quality, location, and long-term capital. What Cityscape Global tells the wider region Cityscape Global is the Gulf’s most-watched real estate event. The 2026 edition runs from 16 to … Read more

Accelerator programmes Dubai founders need

A startup founder presenting to investors inside a Dubai accelerator programme meeting room

Accelerator programmes in Dubai are closing application windows fast, and the data shows that founders who enter structured programmes raise capital at significantly higher rates than those who build alone. Investor confidence in UAE startups is at a record level. By Q3 2025, companies in the country raised USD 1.2 billion across 59 deals, making … Read more

Co-working spaces Dubai founders pick

A focused startup founder working at a desk inside one of Dubai's best co-working spaces, with a city skyline visible.

Co-working spaces in Dubai are no longer backup plans. They are the strategic first choice for a new generation of founders who want access to capital, community, and flexibility inside one of the world’s fastest-moving startup cities. Why co-working beats the free-zone office model The UAE co-working space market is valued at $412.6 million in … Read more

Private equity in Dubai: what’s driving growth

A Dubai investor reviewing a private equity deal agreement at a financial centre office

Private equity in Dubai is growing faster than most global investors expect, and the data behind this shift tells a compelling story about capital, regulation, and the ambitions of a city that refuses to stay still. What the numbers say about Dubai’s investment market Dubai now hosts 365 private equity funds with a combined portfolio … Read more

DIFC Courts: Dubai’s top dispute venue

A business lawyer reviewing a commercial contract in a Dubai office, DIFC Courts support dispute resolution for investors

DIFC Courts are drawing more businesses to Dubai’s legal ecosystem than at any point since the institution opened its doors, and the latest data make a compelling case for investors watching the region. What the numbers reveal In the first half of 2026, 810 cases were filed at DIFC Courts, a 25% increase year-on-year and … Read more

Freelance clients Dubai: get your first 10

A focused professional searching for freelance clients on a laptop inside a modern Dubai coworking space

Freelance clients in Dubai are not difficult to find when you understand where 85.2 million unfilled jobs are coming from and why the UAE sits at the center of that gap. The UAE’s freelancing sector is positioned for significant growth, driven by a global skills shortage anticipated to leave 85.2 million jobs unfilled by 2030, … Read more

Dubai REITs: invest in property without buying

A professional woman reviewing dividend data on a laptop as part of her Dubai REITs investment research

Dubai REITs are reshaping how residents build wealth in property, with regulated funds delivering 7% to 8% dividend yields on the Dubai Financial Market, no mortgage required. What Dubai REITs are and why they matter now A real estate investment trust (REIT) is a business that owns, manages, or finances income-producing real estate. Based on … Read more

Dubai liveability draws top global talent

A professional man speaking in conference about how Dubai liveability draws top global talent

Dubai liveability scores keep climbing in global indices, and the numbers reveal exactly why investors and founders continue to choose this city over every other option in the region. What the rankings actually measure The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index evaluates cities across 5 key categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. … Read more