UAE Organizes Founders’ Retreat to Strengthen India-UAE Startup Partnerships

The inaugural UAE-India Founders’ Retreat, held from December 6 to 8, 2024, brought together over 60 leading Indian start-up founders with UAE investors, policymakers, and business leaders. This event marks a milestone in fostering investment, innovation, and cross-border partnerships between the two nations.

New Investment Partnerships Take Shape

A key outcome of the retreat was the creation of new investment partnerships between Indian start-ups and UAE investors. These collaborations are poised to channel significant funding into emerging sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital transformation. Indian entrepreneurs engaged in direct, face-to-face discussions with UAE investors, paving the way for meaningful financial partnerships and long-term growth opportunities.

Launch of the UAE-India Start-Up Bridge

The UAE-India Start-Up Bridge, a platform established under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), played a pivotal role at the retreat. This initiative facilitates seamless investment and business connections between the two countries. Founders of major Indian unicorns, including boAt and CoinDCX, reaffirmed the bridge’s significance in enabling Indian start-ups to scale internationally with UAE support.

Driving Cross-Border Business Ventures

The retreat emphasized the potential for collaborative ventures, leveraging the UAE’s position as a regional investment hub and India’s dynamic start-up ecosystem. Entrepreneurs and investors explored opportunities to scale businesses globally, utilizing the UAE as a gateway to international markets.

Fostering Public-Private Collaboration

Public-private partnerships emerged as a cornerstone of the retreat. The event demonstrated how collaboration between governments and private sectors could drive technological innovation and economic progress. Such partnerships promise to deliver cutting-edge solutions and mutual benefits for India and the UAE.

UAE’s Commitment to India’s Start-Up Sector

UAE investors reiterated their dedication to India’s burgeoning start-up landscape, which has attracted nearly USD 20 billion in investments since 2000. Future investments will target key areas like digital finance, sustainable technologies, and AI. Initiatives such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority’s fund in India’s GIFT City will provide further avenues for Indian start-ups to expand globally.

Voices from the Retreat

• Abdulnasser Alshaali, UAE Ambassador to India:
  “The Founders’ Retreat is a testament to the power of entrepreneurial excellence in driving economic value. By uniting UAE and Indian leaders, we’re fostering stronger business ties and enabling innovative cross-border ventures.”

• Utsav Somani, Founder of Offline:
  “This retreat is a significant step in aligning India’s entrepreneurial talent with the UAE’s robust ecosystem. Such collaborations stimulate global innovation and investment.”

High-Profile Indian Founders in Attendance

Prominent Indian entrepreneurs, including Aman Gupta (boAt), Varun Dua (Acko), Sumit Gupta (CoinDCX), and Aakash Chaudhry (Aakash Institutes), actively participated in the event. Their presence underscored the diversity and innovation within India’s start-up ecosystem.

• Aman Gupta (boAt):
  “The UAE offers a strategic environment for global expansion. The Founders’ Retreat serves as a critical platform for fostering partnerships and accelerating growth.”

• Varun Dua (Acko):
  “The retreat has opened new opportunities for integrating advanced technologies and scaling operations with UAE’s support.”

• Sumit Gupta (CoinDCX):
  “This event allowed us to connect with stakeholders committed to shaping the future of digital finance and blockchain innovation.”

The Path Forward

The UAE-India Founders’ Retreat laid a strong foundation for future collaborations. As the UAE deepens its investment presence in India, initiatives like the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority’s fund are expected to drive regional and global growth for Indian start-ups. Both nations are committed to nurturing their ecosystems, with fintech, AI, and green technologies as focus areas.