Dubai Business Women Council

What Dubai Business Women Council does

Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) is a nonprofit organization established in 2002 and operating under Dubai Chambers, the Dubai government entity responsible for trade and business development. Its functional mandate is to advance women entrepreneurs and business professionals in the UAE through a structured program portfolio that spans mentorship, executive education, recognition, accelerator support, and policy advocacy. The council serves as a convener and capacity-building platform rather than a product vendor, with members drawn from SMEs, corporate executives, and aspiring women founders primarily based in Dubai and the wider UAE.

The council's core product surface is programmatic rather than technological. It includes a recurring Mentorship Programme (running into its seventh cycle as of April 2026), an Executive Accelerator delivered in partnership with New Metrics, a Champions Recognition Programme for high-performing women-led businesses, and the sAIdaty AI initiative developed with Oracle to deliver artificial intelligence training and applied ideathons. Members also gain exclusive access to Oracle MyLearn, an enterprise learning platform, providing a structured upskilling channel on emerging technologies. The technology stack is therefore primarily delivered through partnerships with global enterprises rather than built in-house.

DBWC's business model combines individual membership fees — published at AED 1,500 (approximately $410) per year — with corporate sponsorship from partners such as Oracle, Mastercard, and Schneider Electric, and institutional funding routed through Dubai Chambers as its parent entity. With a headcount of 101–250 employees, the council operates at a scale that exceeds what membership fees alone would fund, implying sponsorship and government subsidy are the dominant revenue lines. Its go-to-market is largely relationship-driven: members are recruited via networks, events, and partner channels, and engagement is sustained through repeated program cycles rather than transactional product sales.

Name

Dubai Business Women Council

Legal name

Dubai Business Women Council

Website

https://dbwc.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Dubai Business Women Council is a nonprofit organization under Dubai Chambers, established in 2002, that supports women entrepreneurs and business professionals in the UAE through mentorship, training, advocacy, and networking programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Professional Association / Business Membership Organization

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Internal Meeting & Workshop Management (THAHAIAA)

Keywords

• Women's business council
• Professional development programs
• Business networking membership
• Entrepreneurship mentorship
• AI skills training

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Fees: DBWC generates revenue through annual membership fees of AED 1,500 per member. Membership is annual and subject to a fee of AED 1,500, payable in full as a single payment. Fee is non-refundable. Membership grants access to exclusive workshops, networking events, mentorship programs, accelerator initiatives, and member-only benefits including the B2B platform, company profile listing, and special offers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Dubai Business Women Council operates a paid annual membership platform that delivers professional development programs (sAIdaty AI training, Mentorship Programme, Accelerator Programmes, Industry Insights, Industry Forums, Diversity & Inclusion Forums) and member services (B2B networking platform, Member Company Profile directory, Special Offers, events calendar, Learning & Development Library, and mobile app) to women entrepreneurs, executives, freelancers, and graduate entrepreneurs in Dubai and the UAE.

Product overview

Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) is a nonprofit membership organization under Dubai Chambers offering a platform of programs and services for women professionals and entrepreneurs. The core offerings include the sAIdaty AI training initiative (in partnership with Oracle), the Mentorship Programme, Accelerator Programmes, Industry Insights roundtables, Diversity & Inclusion Forums, and DBWC Industry Forums. Member services include the Members' B2B Platform for networking, Member Company Profile for business promotion, Special Offers marketplace, Events Platform with year-round programming, and Learning & Development Library with 100+ training videos. The organization also provides a mobile app for iOS and Android. The programs are designed to provide education, training, and networking opportunities for women in business across Dubai and the wider UAE region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• sAIdaty: A collaborative initiative between DBWC and Oracle aimed at empowering women professionals and entrepreneurs in Dubai and the wider UAE with essential Artificial Intelligence skills. This one-year program includes comprehensive training sessions, leadership workshops, and networking activities.
• Mentorship Programme

Products and services

• sAIdaty AI Training Initiative One-year AI upskilling program delivered in partnership with Oracle Women Leadership, providing training on cloud computing, Generative AI, Machine Learning, IoT, and Blockchain alongside leadership workshops and networking for women members. Aims to educate approximately 500 women on how AI can help grow their businesses.
• Mentorship Programme Standardized mentoring program connecting women entrepreneurs and professionals with industry experts to enhance professional development, create business value, and expand networking opportunities. Operates in annual cycles of mentor-mentee pairings.
• Accelerator Programmes Intensive business setup and scale-up training programs delivered in partnership with organizations including New Metrics, providing theoretical and practical courses led by entrepreneurs and industry experts to drive women entrepreneurship in the UAE.
• Industry Insights Industry-focused roundtable discussions assembling DBWC member experts to address current challenges and explore opportunities within specific sectors including Media & Marketing, Finance, Healthcare, and Legal industries.
• DBWC Industry Forums Forums discussing challenges women face across different industries while sharing best practices, hosting speakers from public and private sectors to provide broad perspectives on gender parity and professional advancement.
• Diversity & Inclusion Forums Best practices forums providing insights on how the region's private and public sectors have addressed gender parity challenges and transformed inclusive organizational culture practices. Co-hosted with partners including UOWD and UNDP.
• Member Company Profile Exclusive platform for DBWC registered members to promote their businesses by listing company services on the DBWC website for greater visibility and exposure to the network.
• Members' B2B Platform Exclusive online space for DBWC members to connect, facilitating potential business opportunities and collaboration among women entrepreneurs and professionals within the DBWC community.
• Events Platform Year-round event calendar providing workshops, masterclasses, networking sessions, seminars, and conferences for professional development and business networking across Dubai and the region.
• Learning & Development Library Online resource providing over 100 training videos and modules for continuous professional development of DBWC members, covering business, leadership, and technology topics.
• Special Offers Platform for DBWC registered members to promote their businesses by submitting exclusive offers or discounts featured for fellow members across the community.
• DBWC Mobile App Mobile application available on iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play Store) providing members access to DBWC resources, events calendar, communications, and networking capabilities on mobile devices.

Quantifiable outcome

• sAIdaty program aims to educate 500 women on AI skills
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers41 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• OraclecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOracle is a key strategic partner for the sAIdaty AI training initiative. The partnership delivers a one-year AI skills program led by Oracle Women Leadership (OWL), training DBWC members on cloud computing, AI, Generative AI, Machine Learning, IoT, and Blockchain. Oracle also provides exclusive access to MyLearn certification platform for DBWC members.
• Arab International Women's Forum (AIWF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIWF is a long-standing strategic partner providing international networking and knowledge exchange opportunities for DBWC members across the Arab world.
• Schneider ElectriccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSchneider Electric has partnered with DBWC to create awareness and education for women in the energy sector. Amel Chadli, President - Gulf Cluster, represents Schneider Electric in this partnership aimed at empowering women with tools and knowledge to thrive in the energy sector.
• IE Business SchoolsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIE Business School provides educational content and potentially joint forums or events for DBWC members focusing on business education and leadership development.
• University of Wollongong Dubai (UOWD)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUOWD collaborates with DBWC on Women and Leadership initiatives and has co-hosted Diversity & Inclusion forums including the #BalanceForBetter forums with UNDP.
• MBC GroupsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMBC Group partners with DBWC for media exposure and content distribution, supporting awareness campaigns and events for women entrepreneurs.
• UN Global Compact UAEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDBWC partners with UN Global Compact UAE Local Network on sustainability and gender equality initiatives, including the Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) where DBWC serves as the UAE Local Network secretariat.
• Dubai ChamberscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDBWC operates under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers (specifically Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and collaborates on events, programs, and initiatives supporting women in business in Dubai.
• CanonsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCanon partners with DBWC providing imaging and technology solutions for events and member activities.
• Talise Spa (Jumeirah)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerTalise Spa at Jumeirah provides exclusive wellness benefits and special offers for DBWC members including 10% off treatments and complimentary access to wellness facilities.
• VirtuzonesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerVirtuzone provides company formation and business setup services, potentially offering special rates or support for DBWC members establishing businesses.
• Publicis GroupesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublicis Groupe collaborates with DBWC on marketing and communications initiatives, including workshops and content development for members.
• ABC DubaisupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerABC Dubai partners with DBWC for business development and networking initiatives.
• CBC DubaisupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCBC Dubai provides business consulting services and partnerships for DBWC member support.
• CCI France UAEsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench Business Council UAE collaborates with DBWC on cross-border business opportunities between France and the UAE for women entrepreneurs.
• Spanish Business CouncilsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSpanish Business Council supports DBWC in facilitating business connections between Spain and the UAE for women-owned businesses.
• University of DubaisupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Dubai collaborates with DBWC on educational initiatives and research related to women in business and leadership.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): US-based membership organization for women business owners offering networking, education, mentorship, and advocacy. Comparable to DBWC in mission, membership-driven model, and chapter-based engagement structure.
• Arab International Women's Forum (AIWF): Long-standing strategic partner of DBWC; an international forum supporting Arab women leaders through networking, conferences, and knowledge exchange across the Arab world. Highly comparable in mission, regional focus, and member services.
• WEConnect International: Global membership network connecting women-owned businesses to corporate supply chains. Comparable to DBWC's B2B platform and member-company visibility offerings, with a focus on certified women-owned enterprises.
• Vital Voices Global Partnership: Global nonprofit investing in women leaders through mentorship, training, and networking programs. Comparable to DBWC's mentorship cycles, accelerator initiatives, and international partnership-driven programming model.
• Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC): Canadian membership-driven organization supporting women entrepreneurs through networking, advocacy, and capacity-building. Closely parallels DBWC's structure, member services, and program offerings.
• Allbright: Members club for professional women offering networking events, learning programs, and curated content. Comparable to DBWC in its community-led, paid-membership model targeting female professionals and founders.
• International Women's Forum (IWF): Global membership organization of women leaders across sectors and geographies, providing peer networks, leadership development, and international conferences. Comparable to DBWC's Industry Forums and Diversity & Inclusion Forums.
• Cherie Blair Foundation for Women: International foundation supporting women entrepreneurs in emerging markets through training, mentoring, and market access programs. Comparable to DBWC's accelerator programmes and emerging-market focus.
• Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): US-based nonprofit certifying women-owned businesses and connecting them with corporate buyers. Comparable to DBWC's role in profiling member companies and facilitating B2B opportunities within the network.

Regional players

• European Women's Association: Regional membership network supporting women entrepreneurs and professionals in Europe through events and advocacy. Comparable mission and membership model to DBWC but operating in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DBWC_UAE
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DBWomenCouncil
• Facebookfacebook.com/dbwc.uae
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dbwc
• Instagraminstagram.com/dbwc_uae

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dubai Business Women Council