startAD Impact Report
Anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi and powered by its partner Tamkeen, startAD began its journey in September 2016 as a new model for entrepreneurship education and innovation for the region. startAD supports Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s goals of becoming a knowledge-based economy by equipping students, startups, and corporates with the necessary tools to build innovative new products that serve a global need, collaborate across organizations, and develop entrepreneurial capacity.
We are proud of our impact to date, directly contributing to the UAE economy through new business development, job creation, and homegrown innovation.
Download our impact report to see how much of a difference we’ve made!

StartAD Impact Report
Anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi and powered by its partner Tamkeen, startAD began its journey in September 2016 as a new model for entrepreneurship education and innovation for the region. startAD supports Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s goals of becoming a knowledge-based economy by equipping students, startups, and corporates with the necessary tools to build innovative new products that serve
NYU Abu Dhabi celebrates ten years of excellence, innovation, and growth
NYUAD has assembled over the past decade a remarkable community of scholars, students, researchers, artists, inventors, and others who have contributed to the growth of the UAE’s capital as a global hub of knowledge and culture, while establishing a new model of higher education for today’s complex world.
Aldar Announces “Manassah” Enterpreneurship Competition Finalists
Launched in November 2019, the Manassah competition supports young entrepreneurs to develop innovative businesses across three categories – retail, café, and restaurants. This is Aldar’s first retail startup programme in partnership with startAD
Aldar Properties announced 7 finalists for “Manassah” entrepreneurship competition
Following a round of rigorous process entered into by 150 talented contestants, the Aldar selection committee has identified seven home grown finalists of the entrepreneurship competition
Aldar announces “Manassah” enterpreneurship competition finalists
Aldar Properties announced finalists for its Manassah entrepreneurship competition designed to support the UAE’s most ambitious retail and F&B entrepreneurs.
Abu Dhabi’s Smart Bin offers rewards to people who recycle
The invention tells its user the carbon emissions they have saved and can identify the materials dropped in it
It’s time to get real serious about food
A multifaceted approach is crucial to solving food security issues. Above all, governments and private sector businesses must work together to spearhead new initiatives in the food security sector
It’s time to get real serious about food
There can be no let up in finding new ways to grow food staples. Food availability is as much a national issue as it is an individual one.
Recycling is no longer optional, but necessary
Entrepreneurs, institutions and residents must work together for better waste management
Applications open for startAD’s accelerator programme
The accelerator will steer global startups to grow and scale in the UAE. The winning startup will implement its potential pilot projects with startAD’s partners ALEC Engineering and Contracting, and the Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC).
Applications Open For StartAD’s Corporate Sprint Accelerator Program
The winning startup will receive the ALEC Innovation Award worth USD 10,000. The program will train startups in investment readiness. In addition, all selected startups will be considered for co-investment of up to USD 250,000 through startAD’s Seed Fund.
Applications open for startAD’s accelerator program
The program will take place from April 1to 14, 2020 at NYUAD. It will focus on innovative solutions in the fields of construction and sustainable development.