Unicorns in United Arab Emirates
Dealroom tracks 21 unicorns headquartered in United Arab Emirates — companies that reached a verified $1B+ valuation — worth $41.8B combined, plus 3 thoroughbreds generating $100M+ in annual revenue. Updated August 2026.
Every unicorn in United Arab Emirates
All 21 companies headquartered in United Arab Emirates that reached a verified $1B+ valuation, ranked by latest valuation. Click a company for its full Dealroom profile.
| # | Company | Sector | HQ | Founded | Valuation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Talabat | eCommerce & Marketplaces | Dubai | 2004 | $5.7B | Private |
| 2 | G42 | AI | Abu Dhabi | 2018 | $5B | Private |
| 3 | Telegram | Consumer Services | Dubai | 2013 | $4.8B | Private |
| 4 | Careem | Transportation | Dubai | 2012 | $3.1B | Private |
| 5 | Deribit | Fintech | Dubai | 2016 | $2.9B | Private |
| 6 | Network International | Fintech | Dubai | 1994 | $2.5B | IPO 2019 |
| 7 | Aleph | Marketing | Dubai | 2005 | $2B | Private |
| 8 | Property Finder | eCommerce & Marketplaces | Dubai | 2007 | $2B | Private |
| 9 | Alef Education | Edtech | Abu Dhabi | 2015 | $1.6B | IPO 2024 |
| 10 | Kitopi | Robotics | Dubai | 2018 | $1.6B | Private |
| 11 | 5ire | Fintech | Dubai | 2021 | $1.5B | Private |
| 12 | Brahma AI | AI | Abu Dhabi | 2024 | $1.4B | Private |
| 13 | XPANCEO | Other | Dubai | 2021 | $1.4B | Private |
| 14 | Optasia | Fintech | Dubai | 2012 | $1.3B | IPO 2025 |
| 15 | Vini Cosmetic | Other | Dubai | 2010 | $1.1B | Private |
| 16 | Souq | eCommerce & Marketplaces | Dubai | 2005 | $1B | Private |
| 17 | Dubizzle Group | eCommerce & Marketplaces | Dubai | 2005 | $1B | Private |
| 18 | Advanced Digital Gaming Technology | Fintech | Abu Dhabi | 2026 | $1B | Private |
| 19 | Andalusia Labs | Fintech | Abu Dhabi | 2021 | $1B | Private |
| 20 | Yalla | Consumer Services | Dubai | 2016 | $14M | IPO 2020 |
| 21 | Swvl | Transportation | Dubai | 2017 | $11M | Public via SPAC 2021 |
Thoroughbreds — the $100M+ revenue tier
Dealroom's revenue milestone: 3 United Arab Emirates companies past $100M in annual revenue, proof of traction beyond paper valuations.
| # | Company | Sector | HQ | Founded | Valuation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eyewa | eCommerce & Marketplaces | Dubai | 2017 | $600M | Private |
| 2 | Huspy | Fintech | Dubai | 2020 | $354M | Private |
| 3 | Kaykroo | Food | Dubai | 2020 | $33M | Private |
Frequently asked questions
How many unicorns are there in United Arab Emirates?
Dealroom tracks 21 unicorns headquartered in United Arab Emirates as of August 2026, worth $41.8B combined. 0 of them are valued at $10B or more.
What are the biggest unicorns in United Arab Emirates?
The three most valuable are Talabat, G42, Telegram. Dubai is the top hub with 16 of them.
What counts as a unicorn — and what is a thoroughbred?
A unicorn is a company that reached a $1B+ valuation, verified by Dealroom. A thoroughbred is Dealroom's revenue-based tier: a startup-era company generating $100M+ in annual revenue — traction, not just paper valuation.