Dubai Internet City, the Middle East’s leading technology hub and part of TECOM Group, has entered a strategic partnership to foster innovation and facilitate knowledge exchange with The Skolkovo Foundation, part of VEB.RF Group.
The partnership outlines a roadmap for collaboratively unlocking new cooperation avenues and market expansion for innovative tech companies and startups. Aligned with Dubai Internet City’s goal of strengthening the digital economy, the agreement was signed during GITEX Global, taking place in Dubai on 13-17 October 2025.
Ammar Al Malik, Executive VP – Commercial, TECOM Group, MD – Dubai Internet City
“Our partnership with the Skolkovo Foundation reaffirms Dubai Internet City’s commitment to fostering an innovation ecosystem that strengthens the global digital economy. Skolkovo Foundation’s ecosystem is home to a pool of emerging, tech-savvy talent, and through this initiative, we look forward to nurturing collaborations with such innovators. The partnership will create unparalleled opportunities for technology companies and startups, driving long-term economic growth and technological advancement. Aligned with Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’, Dubai Internet City’s vibrant ecosystem will continue to promote such cross-border collaboration and support the growth of innovative businesses from around the world.”
“Our partnership with Dubai Internet City opens up tangible opportunities for Skolkovo’s innovative companies to enter the Middle East market, from practical support in launching pilot projects to building sustainable export channels. We are creating a clear and comfortable soft-landing track for our residents: guidance through legal and operational procedures, fast-track access to the region’s infrastructure and business environment. For Skolkovo, this is also a pathway for bilateral exchange of technologies, knowledge, and entrepreneurial practices, which will enrich both ecosystems,” said Timur Kornilov, Managing Director for Strategic International Partnership, Knowledge and Technology Transfer at the Skolkovo Foundation.
Skolkovo Foundation’s ecosystem has united more than 5,000 participating companies for more than 15 years. This partnership delivers a range of benefits to its members seeking international expansion, including collaboration opportunities within Dubai Internet City’s ecosystem.
The partnership also aims to foster growth for startups and technology companies through international engagements, including site visits, curated business meetings, workshops, and events. Skolkovo Foundation’s delegations will have access to prominent global events such as GITEX Global and Expand North Star, as well as Step Dubai, hosted at Dubai Internet City each year, through the partnership.
Dubai Internet City, which has organized 800+ talent development events reaching 73,000+ people since 2021, will also explore opportunities at events such as Startup Village, a uniting platform for innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, tech giants, and futurologists since 2013, to solidify new market opportunities for its community of innovators.
As part of the partnership, both sides will also seek to identify potential pilot projects and proofs of concept (PoCs) to accelerate the development of innovative products and solutions.
