Flat6Labs Abu Dhabi, a global digital innovation hub supporting entrepreneurs, introduced seven new start-up companies from its accelerator programme, which is supported by media company twofour54.

The launch was held during Flat6Labs’ first Demo Day, during which the seven digital companies pitched their concepts, traction, and vision to potential investors and business leaders in attendance.
 
Taking place at the Park Rotana Hotel, the Spring 2015 Demo Day debuted a diverse group of entrepreneurs hailing from the UAE, Italy, India, Russia, and Egypt, with businesses spanning digital sectors from art e-commerce to educational applications for children, and from hardware technologies for action sports to gaming, real estate portals, developer tools, and laundry services.

In preparation for Demo Day, and as part of the unique offering at Flat6Labs Abu Dhabi, each team was offered the funding, mentorship, and community support that its team needs to set up in Abu Dhabi, acquire customers, and scale.

This included seed funding ranging from thirty to fifty thousand US dollars, subsidised incorporation and residency visa acquisition in the Media Zone Authority Abu Dhabi, a competitive business curriculum, access to seasoned local and international mentors, over 300 thousand US dollars in perks and services, free office space for six months, legal support, and opportunities to connect with the community.

Flat6Labs Abu Dhabi has helped start-ups debut their products, test their target market fit, improve their business models, and prepare to pitch to investors. Following Demo Day, the Abu Dhabi team will continue to receive support when scaling to regional and global markets.
 
Ramez Mohamed, the CEO of Flat6Labs, said: “The level of diversity and specialization present among this cycle’s start-ups speaks great volumes for the future of the Mena region, and the power of innovation in both sculpting an economic future and inspiring young minds to follow their example.”

Noura Al Kaabi, CEO of twofour54, said: “twofour54 is proud to support this forward-thinking initiative that truly nurtures and equips young Arab talent to turn their business ideas a reality.”

“Launching seven start-ups in its first cycle is testament to the quality of Flat6Labs’s comprehensive programme and the high level of enthusiasm for entrepreneurship in the local market, which stems from innovation and leads to job creation. We wish the seven start-ups from today’s demo all the best and look forward to what the next wave of innovation will bring.”

The seven start-ups presented on Flat6Labs Abu Dhabi Demo Day include:
                                                                                                                                                                                                             ●      Flip Technologies: A hardware company from India that develops activity trackers to monitor tricks and fitness in skateboarding and other action sports.

●      GitHelp: An innovative platform from Egypt that connects software developers to experts to fix problems and ease product development. Its collaborative platform offers multiple communication channels to ease the process of reporting and software development.

●      Kikabo: A creative boutique from Italy that produces content and applications designed to educate children about culture and art.

●      Pavillion 33: An online platform and curated marketplace for fine art from the Middle East and Africa.

●      Sakkini: The first relocation platform for the Mena region, designed to ease the moving process by providing access to neighbourhood data,  real estate projects, and properties.

●      Unnyhog: A mobile game development and entertainment company from Russia that is releasing their fourth title, UnnyWorld, the first cross-platform fast-paced online game in the world.

●      Washmen: An on-demand mobile-based marketplace for laundry and dry cleaning services in the UAE that facilitates faster, more accurate, and less expensive delivery. – TradeArabia News Service