Software vendor Microsoft, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), has inaugurated the first cohort of its GrowthX Accelerator programme in the UAE.
“Abu Dhabi is focused on empowering start-ups that can create a lasting impact in the digital economy,” said HE Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. “As a founding partner of GrowthX Accelerator, ADIO is partnering with Microsoft to empower visionary entrepreneurs with the technology, mentoring and market access they need to get off the ground. ADIO’s work with Microsoft will accelerate innovation and boost entrepreneurship, in line with Abu Dhabi’s unwavering commitment to support the private sector.”
As part of a larger strategic partnership between ADIO and Microsoft, GrowthX Accelerator is designed to bridge the gap between corporates and B2B start-ups across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) by connecting start-ups with large corporations. The 12-week programme empowers B2B start-ups with the technology, mentoring and market access they need to solve the corporate partners’ unique challenges and problem statements.
“Start-ups are now in the driver’s seat to fulfilling their potential through the GrowthX Accelerator. It is exhilarating to facilitate an empowering experience for B2B start-ups to make the most of the technology, mentoring and access to the market that this programme will provide,” said Roberto Croci, Managing Director, Microsoft for Start-ups, MEA. “Alongside our partners, we look forward to enabling our first cohort of B2B start-ups to compete at the highest level and in hopes of transforming the region into a globally leading hub for technology and entrepreneurship.”
The first cohort consists of 15 start-ups that will hit the ground running, offering breakthrough solutions that meet corporate clients’ challenges and requirements. These include:
- Spitch – a global provider of B2B and B2C conversational AI solutions
- Gener8 – enables users to control and be rewarded from their own data
- Poltio – helps the world’s top brands engage and learn from their users with interactive content
- Getbee – an e-commerce platform that engages with customers on a more human and immersive level
- OPLOG – a pioneer in e-logistics, simplifying the cost, time and resources for supply chain operations
- Fero – shaping the future of digital freight with technology to automate the logistics industry
- Urbantz – a SaaS solution to transform last mile delivery and logistics across industries
- Barakatech – delivers super-app platforms, Blockchain solutions, and next-gen FinTech microservices
- Hi55 – a digital payroll scheme to empower individuals and businesses with cashflow
- Nym Card – provides dynamic and secure building blocks for building fast and easy card programs
- Artiwise – an AI and NLP start-up that provides cloud-based analytics solutions to enterprises
- B2Brain – delivers tailored analytics to automate research and intelligence to improve conversations.
- Alpha Sense – an intelligence platform that helps businesses make data-driven decisions.
- NexDegree –enables brick and mortar retail stores to improve customer experience and sales
- Udentify – reduces the need for manmade market research, utilising body tracking technologies
Microsoft for Start-ups is working with Etihad Airways, Unilever, Flow, Akbank, KPMG and IKEA in the first cohort as Corporate Engagement Partners. B2B start-ups will work with these partners directly for the duration of the programme to ultimately co-create technology solutions that address the corporate partners’ challenges.
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