Page 120 - EMIRATES POST GROUP PR REPORT DECEMBER 2023

The event was attended by Essa Kazim, Governor, DIFC, and Arif Amiri, Chief

Executive Officer, DIFC Authority, who actively engaged with speakers, investors and
entrepreneurs.

Delivering the opening keynote, Mohammad AlBlooshi, Chief Executive Officer, DIFC
Innovation Hub, said, “The FinTech Accelerator Programme has a phenomenal track

record of empowering start-ups by helping them to transform their ideas into products
and offerings unique to the financial market. The solutions showcased this year are
some of the best we have seen within the industry and we congratulate these pioneers
on successfully completing their programmes. We have numerous success stories to
share, with over 200 start-ups graduating from our programme that have collectively

raised over $600 million in funding. In 2023, the programme also saw a record-breaking
number of participants with over 700 applicants for a single cohort, out of which 19 start-
ups graduated. We wish them every success as they continue to innovate and push

boundaries.”

The keynote was followed by a panel discussion on the’Future of Investment: Tech
Investment Trends in the Region’ including industry thought leaders such as Sharif
Elbadawi, CEO of Dubai Future District Fund, Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner of
Nuwa Capital, Khaled Lababidi, Operating Partner at Arbor Ventures, moderated by

Saqr Ereiqat, Co-founder Crypto Oasis.

The event served as a ’graduation day’ for 19 start-ups from the FinTech Accelerator
Programme – with a record-breaking 20+ proof-of-concepts created – and 10 women
financial services professionals from AccelerateHer who showcased their business

plans and enhanced skillset, having been mentored by some of the region’s leading
banks and insurance companies.

This year, AccelerateHer participants received endorsement and mentorship from Dubai
Islamic Bank, whereas the FinTech Accelerator Programme was supported by Abu
Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC), Emirates
NBD, Emirates Post Group (EPG), HSBC, Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB), Visa and

Zurich.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/difc-innovation-hub-concludes-investor-day-with-over-600-
million-in-funding