Dubai SME & Deliveroo join hands to boost F&B startups

Dubai’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are set to gain a fresh boost in the food and beverage (F&B) sector through a new partnership between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and global delivery platform Deliveroo.

The two entities have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to expand opportunities for Emirati-owned businesses registered under the Dubai SME programme. The collaboration opens the door for local entrepreneurs to strengthen their operations, accelerate digital adoption, and reach a wider customer base in a cost-effective way.

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The initiative is closely aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which seeks to double the size of the city’s economy by 2033. SMEs already represent more than 90 percent of Dubai’s registered businesses and employ the majority of its private sector workforce, making their growth vital to the emirate’s long-term goals.

As part of the agreement, SMEs will receive a package of commercial benefits including reduced onboarding fees, preferential commission rates, and enhanced promotional support to attract new customers. Deliveroo will also provide in-app marketing visibility, training programmes, operational guidance, and personalised account management to ensure a smooth transition for businesses embracing digital platforms.

This collaboration comes at a crucial time for Dubai’s F&B sector, which plays a central role in shaping the city’s reputation as a global culinary destination. By offering Emirati entrepreneurs affordable access to technology and customer engagement tools, the partnership seeks to build sustainable growth pathways and unlock new opportunities in a competitive market.

Dubai SME has set a target of supporting the creation of 8,000 new Emirati ventures by 2033, raising the total number of supported businesses to 27,000 from 19,000 in 2024. The Deliveroo partnership marks a step forward in that mission, providing homegrown businesses with the resources needed to thrive in an evolving digital economy.