Page 129 - 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.

DIFC is home to over 800 FinTech and Innovation companies who are unlocking
the future of finance. Innovative start-ups including, Norbloc, Sarwa, Tarabut
gateway and Zywa have graduated from accelerator programmes by the DIFC
Innovation Hub.

https://www.msn.com/en-ae/money/other/difc-innovation-hub-concludes-investor-day-with-over-600-
million-in-funding/ar-AA1lJSJL