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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!

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.
Applications open for startAD’s Corporate Sprint Accelerator program
The accelerator will enable corporations and early-stage startups to collaborate on solutions focused on construction and sustainable development
ADNEC further demonstrates commitment to innovation
ADNEC Collaborates with startAD - Youth Entrepreneurship Program to further cement their innovation strategies
UAE Ecosystem Stakeholders Weigh In On ENOC Vs. CAFU
Robyn Brazzil, Director of the startAD program at NYU Abu Dhabi, shared her opinion about the competition between the Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) and Car Fuel Refilling App (CAFU)
Khalifa Fund and Startad Reveal Six Final Teams to Compete at Ibtikari Program 5.0
The six were selected out of the eight teams that presented their tech startup ideas during the program’s pitching day held at KFED’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
Khalifa Fund and startAD reveal six final teams that will compete in Ibtikari program 5.0
The KFED will give the six teams grants worth AED10,000 as well as an AED25,000 grant to one of the finalists.
Khalifa Fund, startAD reveal six final teams to compete in Ibtikari programme 5.0
The finalists will advance to the incubation phase of the Ibtikari programme, where they will undergo a series of customised training sessions, workshops, and one-on-one meetings with their Ibtikari mentors.
12 innovative Emirati projects reach final round of Pitch@Palace UAE competition
The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, KFED, has announced that 12 Emirati-led technology-driven projects reached the final round of the third edition of the Pitch@Palace UAE competition.
Ibtikari the Emirati Startup Incubation Program is Open For Applications
The program will commence on September 22, 2019 and conclude during UAE Innovation Month in February 2020.
Entries open for Emirati startup incubation program, Ibtikari
Six finalists will receive grants from KFED worth AED 10,000, whereas one team will win a grant of AED 25,000. Startups will also potentially be considered for further funding by KFED and startAD.
Ibtikari opens applications for Emirati startup incubation program
Organized by Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) and startAD, Ibtikari 5.0 will incubate twelve startups founded by UAE nationals
Applications now open for Emirati startup incubation programme, Ibtikari
startAD has opened applications for Ibtikari 5.0, an intensive five-month incubation programme aimed at helping UAE nationals advance their tech startups.