Applications Are Now Open for StartAD and Khalifa Fund’s Ibtikari Incubation Programme

Applications are now open for the fifth edition of Ibtikari by Abu Dhabi-based global accelerator, Tamkeen’s StartAD in partnership with Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED), hosted at NYU Abu Dhabi.  The intensive five-month incubation programme will start on September 22, 2019 and will end in February 2020.

According to the programme’s outline, the six finalist participants will be receiving the opportunity to win up to AED 25,000, as well as further financial support to achieve success in the future. The eligibility process for the programme enlists the importance of tech-enabled startups as a must, in addition to early market traction, pilot projects or partnership with stakeholders. Furthermore, there should be at least one Emirati national and two committed members in each team.

“Ibtikari was launched to foster an entrepreneurial spirit among our nationals, build a thriving entrepreneurial environment in the United Arab Emirates, and fast-track the country’s economic diversification efforts,” says Mouza Al Nasri, CEO at the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development.

Since its launch, Ibtikari has helped nurture the dreams of many aspiring, local entrepreneurs and paved the way for the development of several innovative business projects. Notably alumni of the programme include Malena App, Homz, DirectSchool and MeetTheLocals.