Final call for Emirati Entrepreneurs to apply for Khalifa Fund and startAD-led Ibtikari Incubator

Abu Dhabi, August 18, 2018: The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development has issued a final call out for applications for the fourth edition of ‘Ibtikari’ (My Innovation), an intensive six-month incubator aimed at helping Emiratis advance their technology startups. The deadline to apply is August 31, 2018.

This year’s updated version of ‘Ibtikari’ is a result of a new partnership between Khalifa Fund and startAD, an accelerator and entrepreneurship hub anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi and powered by Tamkeen. Considered one of Khalifa Fund’s core initiatives, ‘Ibtikari’ reflects the organization’s mission to create a new generation of Emirati entrepreneurs by instilling in them the culture of entrepreneurship.

Scheduled to take place between September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2019 at NYU Abu Dhabi, ‘Ibtikari’ is open to startups with at least one UAE national partner. Five teams will be selected based on their proposed concept, the project’s potential market reach, as well as its prototype or proof of concept. 

H.E. Abdulla Al Darmaki, CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said: “The updated version of ‘Ibtikari’ is a result of our new strategic partnership with startAD forged in line with our vision to be at the forefront of national efforts to instill the value of leadership among UAE nationals. Our partnership is a major addition to our integrated and comprehensive programs designed to meet the needs and requirements of local entrepreneurs seeking to establish or expand their enterprises here in the country.”

“Through our collaboration with startAD, we also seek to improve the competitiveness and promote the growth of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), on top of supporting entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation among our youth. We believe that we are significantly contributing to the UAE’s socio-economic development by fostering a culture of entrepreneurship in the country and encouraging innovation and sustainable growth within the SME community,” added H.E. Al Darmaki.

Ramesh Jagannathan, NYU Abu Dhabi Vice Provost for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Associate Dean of Engineering, and startAD Managing Director, said: “startAD’s goal is to support the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. In line with the Abu Dhabi Economic vision 2030, our aim is to also help diversify the local economy through the creation of successful startups. ‘Ibtikari’ seeks to equip startups, particularly UAE nationals, with the necessary tools to scale their technology ventures. We look forward to working with talented teams from the region.”

Interested applicants are encouraged to attend information sessions with Khalifa Fund and startAD representatives in Dubai or Abu Dhabi on August 14 and August 27.