Championing cross-border investment from Abu Dhabi to the world

29 Mar, 2022

As part of a series of panel discussions launched by Hub71, in association with Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Ghadan 21 to promote Abu Dhabi’s vibrant tech ecosystem, Hub71 hosted it’s fourth edition of Abu Dhabi Decoded titled ‘Championing cross-border investment from Abu Dhabi to the world’. The event took place on the sidelines of the launch of Hub71’s 2021 Impact Report.

Moderated by Dan Murphy, Middle East Anchor and Correspondent at CNBC International, the panel discussion saw the participation of H.E Sameh Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Director General Economic Affairs of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and Ahmed Alfi, Chairman of Sawari Ventures and the GrEEK Campus.

Focused on Abu Dhabi’s funding landscape and how international cross-border investment flows are increasingly becoming a priority to nurture startups at all stages, the insightful session provided four key takeaways:

  1. The launch of economic reforms supporting and incentivizing entrepreneurship in Abu Dhabi, have contributed to attracting investments as well as talent to the UAE’s capital. Through its strategies and regulatory framework, the government of Abu Dhabi has continued to attract talent from across the globe to support is growing tech sector and enable startups to thrive.
  2. A viable business model, scalability and talent are key considerations for investors when evaluating opportunities. With investment criteria continuously evolving, founders need to align their KPIs with market trends.
  3. Startups should have a strong background to earn and keep valuation. Startups have the potential of raising funds and growing in the region’s tech ecosystem, and in the past few years the UAE has seen startups raise above $100 million, which is a testament to the great talent and technologies available in the market.
  4. Governments have an integral role to play in facilitating access to capital. By providing access to institutional pools and enabling large-scale opportunities for companies, startups will thrive and create disruptive technologies that will enhance emerging sectors.

To watch the full discussion, click here.