Deepak Ahuja, co-founder and CEO of iAccel Gulf Business Incubator (iAccel GBI), discusses the Startup Meetup programme, which helps grow tech-focused startups through networking, mentorship and market access in the UAE.
Can you give us an overview of the Startup Meet Up program?
iAccel GBI “Startup Meetup” is an event that brings together iAccel GBI’s dynamic ecosystem. As a go-to-market accelerator for startups in the UAE, we provide a platform for startups to showcase their innovative technology solutions to our network of market access enablers, ecosystem partners and mentors.
The selected startups successfully completed their presentations. In addition to the inspiring presentation sessions, we also hosted a panel discussion with a distinguished group of mentors. Bashar Kilani, Sivarama Subramanian and I discussed the theme of “Nurturing a Strong Startup Ecosystem in the UAE”. Suresh Kumar, Chairman, IBPC, who has been following the journey of iACCEL GBI since the beginning, was on hand to share encouraging words about our progress. The event was also attended by UAE entrepreneurs like Karl Tlais and Raman Thiagarajan, who enlivened the venue with their expertise.
What are the criteria for admission to iAccel GBI?
First, companies must be technology-focused and have a demonstrable use case in the Middle East: while their solution may be successful in their home country, it is essential to assess its applicability and potential impact in the region.
Additionally, companies must be beyond the ideation stage, have generated some revenue, demonstrated market traction, and have validated their business model. We seek to partner with technology companies across a range of industries including healthtech, B2B SAAS, sustainability, fintech, and more. Our goal is to support innovative companies with proven solutions that can drive growth.
The portfolio startups that presented at the event are from different industries: AURA Finance is a fintech company, Mobilous specializes in IT app development, Gosu Academy focuses on eSports, ReflowX is an online marketplace leading the energy sector, and Trezi provides an AR/VR immersive platform.
What support and resources does iAccel GBI provide to startups after the pitch event?
iAccel GBI provides comprehensive support to startups looking to expand their business in the UAE. Our services include everything from company registration and strategic market entry planning to leveraging our extensive network of industry experts, mentors and market access professionals. As the exclusive market entry acceleration partner in the region, we are committed to guiding startups through every step of their business journey to help them achieve their goals effectively and sustainably. Over the past 15 months, a number of startups have successfully entered the market with our help.
How do you think these startups contribute to the innovation ecosystem?
Dubai has long served as a hub for global growth. The UAE government’s active efforts to foster the startup ecosystem have made the region an ideal location for innovative companies. These startups embody this environment, disrupting their respective industries through innovative technology use cases; filling industry gaps and modernizing business processes in areas such as fintech, sustainability, architecture, and real estate. This symbiotic relationship between startups and industry is mutually beneficial, increasing efficiencies and fostering innovation across sectors.
What are the plans for future pitch events or similar initiatives by iAccel GBI?
We host these events on a quarterly basis and through this forum we connect with a dynamic network of mentors, ecosystem players and market access specialists to engage with our portfolio startups.
What were some of the key lessons you learned from this startup meetup?
The event was an opportunity to engage, network and connect with a community of 375+ industry experts and mentors with outstanding startups. It was an extremely enriching experience to hear from the mentor board members about their journey so far and how network members can get involved in contributing to the startup ecosystem. The event was a catalyst to advance the ambitions and aspirations of the startups.
