Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Abu Dhabi Global Entrepreneurship Festival 2026 kicked off today, Monday, in the capital, Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of Sheikh Zayed bin Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and in the presence of leading entrepreneurs, investors, and decision-makers. The festival, which runs until April 22, aims to solidify the emirate’s position as a global platform for shaping the future. It also highlights the “Falcon Economy” model, which is driving a unique phase of sustainable growth based on innovation, advanced technologies, and strategic partnerships.
Billion-dollar funding and initiatives for immediate financing
Moza Obaid Al Nasseri, CEO of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, confirmed that the Fund has successfully financed more than 1,200 projects with a total value exceeding AED 1.8 billion, reflecting the growing impact of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on the national economy. During the opening ceremony, Al Nasseri also announced the launch of the “Instant Project Funding Application” initiative, a digital service that provides entrepreneurs with rapid access to direct funding. This will accelerate the transformation of innovative ideas into viable projects.
Abu Dhabi is a global platform for founders and youth
The first day featured panel discussions on building Abu Dhabi as a global platform for founders, with the participation of officials from the Ma’an Authority, the Federal Youth Authority, and ADNOC. Participants reviewed the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which constitute 94% of all companies in the UAE. These companies also contribute approximately 60% to the non-oil GDP. They noted that the emirate’s flexible regulatory framework and advanced infrastructure provide a competitive environment that attracts innovators from around the world.
Strategic partnerships to support the innovation ecosystem
The festival program included the signing of memoranda of understanding between several government and private entities to enhance integration within the business environment, with support from strategic partners such as ADNOC, the Department of Economic Development, and Hub71. Discussions also focused on “Human Potential in Entrepreneurship” and the strength of economic ecosystems. It was emphasized that the festival aims to develop an integrated, knowledge-based economic system, ensuring the sustainability of economic growth in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and keeping pace with the demands of global markets.
