Ajman Launches Thara, Targeting 600 Startups in Five Years: What Founders Next Door to Dubai Should Know

AJMAN — A new startup ecosystem has opened a short drive from Dubai. The Thara Investment and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Ajman has set out a five-year plan to support 600 startups, help them attract AED 69 million in external financing and make direct investments in 71 companies, WAM reported after the first Thara Connect Forum, organised by Ajman Chamber at the Thara Entrepreneurship Centre.

Thara X’s website says Thara was inaugurated on October 29.

The Five-Year Targets

Marwan Hareb Al Aryani, Thara’s Group Chief Executive Officer, outlined the goals, according to WAM. Over five years, Thara aims to:

• Support 600 startups through Thara X, its incubation and acceleration arm.
• Prepare more than 220 companies for investment.
• Help startups attract AED 69 million in external financing.
• Make direct investments in 71 companies.
• Support 100 companies in establishing, relocating or expanding their operations in Ajman.
• Generate at least AED 700 million in cumulative economic value added to Ajman and contribute to 3,135 direct jobs.

The targets were also reported by The Disruptor and MENA Startup Digest.

Some quick maths puts them in context. AED 69 million across 600 startups averages about AED 115,000 per startup, though in practice the money will go to far fewer companies. This is a programme built mainly for early-stage founders, not later-stage rounds.

What Thara Offers

Thara operates through six specialised companies, said Maryam Khalifa Al Nuaimi, Chairperson of the Board of Directors. Under Thara Holding, the operating businesses are:

• Thara Hub – workspace and business facilities in Ajman: offices, desks, meeting rooms, training and events.
• Thara X – venture building, incubation and acceleration for founders and early-stage teams.
• Thara Capital – the group’s investment platform, which says it “reviews opportunities selectively, with a long-term view.”
• Thara Xperience – shared services, outsourcing and business support, which it describes as “AI + Humans.”
• Thara Foundation – community development and inclusion programmes across Ajman, Masfout and Manama.

The idea is one connected path: founders get space at the Hub, services from Xperience and, when they are ready, introductions to Thara Capital.

What the First Forum Produced

The Thara Connect Forum ran three panels covering the government’s role in supporting entrepreneurship, startup investment readiness, and founders’ experiences of building and scaling. According to WAM, recommendations included:

• Closer collaboration between government, the private sector and investors.
• More incubation and acceleration programmes, and better access to financing, customers and regional markets.
• Stronger investment readiness through sustainable business models, corporate governance, operational efficiency and specialised mentoring.
• Clear performance indicators to measure the economic impact of entrepreneurship programmes.

Participants also stressed support for young entrepreneurs, Emirati talent, women and people of determination. A startup competition drew applications from more than 45 companies, and Alfredo won the AED 100,000 top prize.

How to Get In

Thara X’s first cohort does not have dates yet. Its website says “Dates to be confirmed” and invites founders to register interest. MENA Startup Digest reported in October that Thara X was recruiting paid mentors for a 10-week cohort, with one-to-one sessions, small-group workshops and pitch reviews online or at Thara Hub. Workspace is offered separately through Thara Hub, which lists offices, desks and meeting rooms in Ajman.

What Founders Should Take From It

This is our reading, not Thara’s guidance.

• There is now another option outside Dubai. Thara explicitly aims to help 100 companies set up, relocate or expand in Ajman. Founders weighing where to license or base a team should add it to their comparison with Dubai’s free zones and programmes.
• Ask what the relocation involves. If support depends on an Ajman base, check licensing, visas and team logistics before applying, especially if your customers are in Dubai.
• Early-stage founders benefit most. The financing targets point to small cheques and investment readiness, not growth capital. Plan your later rounds separately.
• Investment readiness is the theme. The forum’s focus on governance, business models and operational efficiency is a useful checklist for any founder preparing to raise.
• Register interest early. With cohort dates still unconfirmed, getting on the list now costs little and may mean an earlier conversation.

Figures are from WAM, Thara and The Disruptor as of November 3, 2026. Programme details can change. Check Thara’s official channels before applying.