The MENA’s Biggest Fin-Tech Festival Kicks Off in Abu Dhabi Kicks Today

Fin-Tech Abu Dhabi goes live today with ten key features and a variety of new initiatives that will seek to solve issues and unlock solutions in the fin-tech industry, as well as connecting entrepreneurs to investors and even recognize success by awarding a list of attendees and startups for their outstanding efforts in the industry. The MENA region’s leading fin-tech festival is organised by Abu Dhabi Global Market, the world-renowned financial centre, and is supported by global innovation platform Unbound.

To make this event a regional success and promote a promising and sustainable fin-tech experience in the United Arab Emirates, FinTech AD partners up with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and Department of Finance to acquire more opportunities for the financial industry. The event is also backed by the Abu Dhabi Authority of Social Contribution (Ma’an) and Digital Authority to promote a digitised and collaborative experience for all attendees. Among the list of partners comes Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, one of the largest banks and stock exchanges in the UAE, respectively. The event is also supported by Etihad Airways, the country’s national air-carrier.

The festival is joined by a new addition to their extensive list of informative activities, such as the invite-only Investor Forum hosted by Hub71, the UAE-based global tech ecosystem. The forum will oversee an exchange of ideas by regional and international venture capital investors, with keynote speakers initiating a discussion panel where prominent members of the ecosystem will uncover current trends in the venture capital industry.

Fin-Tech Abu Dhabi is all in for fresh ideas, with the first fin-tech themed Youth Circle that aims to encourage the next generation of potential entrepreneurs to engage in discussion on how to shape the future of the industry. The initiative is backed by the Federal Youth Authority and will host Alexander Graubner-Mueller, founder of Kreditech and Nicholas Cary, co-founder and Vice Chairman of Blockchain as speakers.

The festival’s flagship Innovation Challenge will also be taking place, posing a set of problem statements for selected fin-tech applicants to overcome, representing real issues faced in the UAE and the region, identified by financial institution representatives, corporate leaders and consumers.The FinTech 50 will also be announced and get the chance to showcase and pitch to investors on the big stage, as well as enjoy benefits of increased brand awareness and becoming a part of the FinTech 50 global network.

Saving the best news for last, the inaugural FinTech Abu Dhabi Awards boasts a new category- the Islamic FinTech of the Year award – sponsored by Grant Thornton. Other awards include: UAE Fin-Tech Founder, MENA Fin-Tech of the Year, Fin-Tech Woman of the Year, Fin-Tech Leader and Emerging Fin-Tech talent. 

The key to connecting this year’s attendees and providing them with the most engaging experience is the FinTech Abu Dhabi mobile app, with enables participants and attendees access to timetables, speaker lists, delegates and partners.