Abu Dhabi is an more and more engaging vacation spot for entrepreneurs in search of a global launchpad from which to develop their enterprise. The UAE leads the area within the World Financial institution’s Doing Enterprise index. Authorities efforts to diversify the economic system, underpinned by vital entry to private and non-private funding in tech enterprise and expertise, has created a hotbed of start-up exercise, incubators and accelerators.
In January, the Abu Dhabi Funding Workplace (ADIO) and Microsoft for Startups introduced a strategic five-year partnership to launch a collection of initiatives, offering a variety of instruments and sources to speed up the expansion of nascent, regional B2B companies.
Begin-up programmes
The primary two programmes are the Microsoft GrowthX Accelerator, a digital accelerator offering individuals with in depth entry to Microsoft platforms and company companions; and Highway to 100 Unicorns, an engagement initiative operating actions for start-ups by means of regional companions to recruit high-potential companies for the accelerator and future programmes.
“Our core mandate, from a coverage perspective, is creating a start-up ecosystem that focuses on innovation and know-how,” explains ADIO director basic, Tariq Bin Hendi, “and constructing a brand new set of jobs to organize for that future.
“Our partnership with Microsoft is a proof level on this evolution, demonstrating concerted assist for these start-ups to continue to grow and thriving in Abu Dhabi. The partnership expands on a raft of Abu Dhabi authorities initiatives to attach these companies with main worldwide establishments to assist speed up their development right here, throughout the area and past.”
Microsoft for Startups’s managing director, Roberto Croci, recognises the necessity to construct upon already robust foundations. “It’s about persevering with to vary mindsets,” he says. “We’re making a long-term dedication, serving to create an entrepreneurship hub that thinks globally, exporting know-how from the area, however develops and invests in native expertise.”
Microsoft platforms
Neither celebration takes any fairness in taking part ventures; the one requirement is that the companies be constructed on Microsoft platforms. In return, explains Croci, individuals are guided in making their start-up “enterprise prepared”, leveraging Microsoft’s expansive ecosystem to be able to speed up time to market.
For Bin Hendi, it’s essential the emirate attracts “constructively disruptive” entrepreneurs, who’ve already recognized present company ache factors alongside the options to deal with them. “What we’re seeing is that most of the start-ups are working inside a framework of, ‘How can I resolve a number of the issues that the incumbents out there are going through?’” he explains.
Croci provides that such enterprises are sometimes under-resourced, however “are additionally usually extra scalable, as a result of when you nail a problem confronted by many corporates, it’s a extra strong mannequin to put money into”. It’s inside that paradigm that he sees Microsoft delivering explicit worth.
Enormous potential
Microsoft’s international company shopper base presents enormous potential for assist and collaboration. “We discuss with many corporates that wish to work with start-ups however they don’t understand how, and, on the opposite facet, we work with start-ups which have the options however are struggling to entry the markets,” Croci explains. “We designed the programme to bridge that hole.”
The result’s an ecosystem where everybody wins: incumbents get entry to the innovation and agility of budding enterprises, whereas entrepreneurs are in a position to join with purchasers and develop their companies.
Wanting forward, Croci is happy to see what the partnership will convey. “This requires long-term dedication,” he stresses. “Supporting present and rising entrepreneurs within the area with a give attention to individuals and merchandise, making certain that everyone earnings.”
Apply now to Microsoft for Startup’s GrowthX Accelerator – learn more here.