Dubai honored 13 winners at its inaugural Dubai-it Award ceremony on Nov. 11, as business leaders described expansion that offers a snapshot of commercial activity in the emirate.
The Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported that Ziina received the business companies award, Humantra founder Charlie Wright was recognized in the entrepreneurs category, and Chef Izu Ani won in hospitality. The recipients included individuals, companies and projects. WAM said the award recognized achievements based on performance, speed, quality, impact, sustainability and potential for growth.
Ziina said in a Nov. 4 blog post that active businesses on its platform had increased 163% over the previous year. The company also said it supported 290,000 business owners and served 500,000 users. The post did not date the business-owner and user totals.
Ziina co-founder and chief executive Faisal Toukan told The National that the company’s transaction volume fell by as much as 20% earlier in 2026, then doubled later. The National did not give a period or baseline for the reported doubling. Toukan put the current pace near 450 active businesses added daily; a year earlier, he said, it was 150 to 200 per day.
The National also reported that Humantra’s team had grown from about 10 people to more than 40. Wright said entrepreneurial interest in the region remained strong and expected Dubai to become the starting point for more brands. The staffing figure and his comments came from the outlet’s interview.
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) reported in July that its technology community had exceeded 4,000 companies. In April, its report on 2025 results counted nearly 2,000 businesses in a wider private capital and finance grouping. The figures cover distinct categories and offer broader context on Dubai’s business ecosystem.
WAM said the Dubai-it Award is an annual program, with Nov. 11 marking its inaugural ceremony. The agency did not give a date for the next edition.
