StartAD Incubator, an innovation and entrepreneurship platform, will accept applications starting January from early stage start-ups from across the UAE and globally to join its rigorous training programme.

Up to 15 start-ups will take part in the first cycle of the programme designed to fast track growth and launch new ventures in the UAE and broader MENA region.

Offered twice a year, the startAD Incubator will deliver a four month training programme to start-up teams, including supports such as an up to $60,000 seed investment, shared space, mentorship and legal assistance.

It will also grant entrepreneurs access to leading UAE industry players as well as the New York University global network of mentors and fellow entrepreneurs, in addition to providing opportunities for business viability testing.  

Applications for the startAD Incubator will be accepted from January 1, 2017 via the startAD website, with the first intake selected by May 2017 and taking up residency at NYU Abu Dhabi in September 2017.

From September onwards the start-ups will join an intensive 12 weeks incubation programme, after which they will pitch their business models to investors and the wider start-up community. StartAD Incubator will continue to provide follow-on support for selected teams following the end of the cycle.

Ramesh Jagannathan, managing director of startAD said, “Abu Dhabi is an important centre for emerging industries such as fintech, healthtech, energy, aviation and logistics, and smart cities. We invite early stage tech start-ups to apply online through the startAD website and share information about their founders and core team, the start-up concept, including any unique technology involved, and details around the business model including the value proposition and target customer market for the product.”

“Through the startAD Incubator, we hope to contribute to the development of the entrepreneurial economy in the UAE by supporting corporations to innovate through start-ups and allowing start-ups to validate their business ideas with corporates. Long term, these start-ups will contribute through job creation and technology development,” he added.

StartAD is an Abu Dhabi innovation and entrepreneurship platform anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi and was founded based on a partnership between the University and Tamkeen, a Government of Abu Dhabi company.

It offers a full stack entrepreneurial experience for the global start-up community and supports the entrepreneurship ecosystem through education initiatives and the creation of start-ups.  – TradeArabia News Service