FinTech Abu Dhabi Festival Kicks Off With Investor Forum

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Global investors are increasingly looking to the Middle East and North Africa for the next unicorn and high return investments, delegates in Abu Dhabi heard as the third edition of FinTech Abu Dhabi opened with the Investor Forum.
More than 400 people gathered at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Authorities Building for the inaugural FinTech Abu Dhabi Investor Forum day where the growth of the FinTech industry in MENA was lead topic. Prominent regional and international entrepreneurs shared their expertise on growing a thriving start-up ecosystem in the region, how to spot a unicorn and the possibility of another financial crisis in 2020.

FinTech Abu Dhabi Festival continues tomorrow at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) with His Excellency Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State (UAE) and Executive Chairman of ADGM, giving the opening speech.

Recap of Day One – Investor Day on 21 Oct 2019

Opening the festival, Richard Teng, CEO of Financial Services Regulatory Authority of ADGM, confirmed more than 5,000 people will attend the consecutive two-day FinTech Abu Dhabi event commencing on 22 October at ADNEC. He also outlined how the UAE, and the FinTech industry, are having a positive impact in the region. 

He said: "In the first half of 2019, the MENA region saw close to half a billion USD of VC (Venture Capital) funding in start-ups, excluding Souq and Careem. This is a 66% increase compared to the same period last year. More than a quarter of the funding was invested in the UAE, with the FinTech industry being the most vibrant sector, accounting for 17% of all deals done."

"Moving ahead, close to 500 FinTech companies in the Middle East will raise over USD 2 billion in venture capital funding in the next 3 years, based on a Milken Institute Report. And Abu Dhabi will be at the epicentre of this exciting development."

He added: "Great strides for FinTech have already been made in the MENA region, but there are massive opportunities for more. And there is no substitute for face-to-face meetings like today's Forum to build closer ties, and find new ways to create value."

Mubadala Launches $250 Million MENA Tech Fund

Mubadala Capital today announced its first MENA-focused tech investment funds. With a total of US$250 million (AED 918 million), the Mubadala MENA tech investment funds will boost the growing start-up scene while empowering tech talent in the UAE and across the region. The funds include a US$150 million (AED 550 million) "fund of funds" program, which will invest in funds that are committed to supporting the Abu Dhabi-based Hub71 ecosystem, including investing in companies that leverage Hub71 for regional expansion and growth. 

Ibrahim Ajami, Head of Ventures at Mubadala Capital, said: "After ten years of investing in tech companies around the world, the time has come to leverage the experience and expertise we've gained for the benefit of our home market. The MENA funds will drive the economic development of Abu Dhabi by stimulating tech investment activity. There's a huge amount of untapped potential in the UAE and the wider region and we are on the right path to foster more home-grown innovations, attract exceptional talent and accelerate the evolution of a flourishing tech industry in the Emirate."

Insights From The UAE'S Leading CEOs

Mahmoud Adi, CEO of Hub71, which provides access to capital and global markets, joined Peter Oaks, Director, FinTech Ireland, Gabrielle Inzirillo, Director FinTech, Plug and Play and Ahmed El Alfi, Founder and Chairman of Sawari Ventures on stage for a discussion on growing start-up ecosystems.

Mahmoud explained recognising talent is key to building a thriving start-up ecosystem. He said: "When you look at any ecosystem that is thriving, there are key things that we can identify quickly. These are the ability to solve problems, unleashing their potential, achieving their dreams and working in a business environment."

"Another important aspect is talent. There is an exceptional team of smart and intellectual people in this region. Our job at Hub71 is to make sure they are aware of this potential and give them the ability to enhance their talent outside the region by putting structured programmes in place."

Anticipating The Next Financial Crisis

The Forum heard from Aristedis Samitas, Chair of Finance of Zayed University, during the keynote session. He explained the importance of careful planning to ensure businesses are not hit hard financially in the market. He said: "The biggest challenge that we can face is a financial crisis. It not only directly affects the financial markets but also people and companies. We have to ensure we are ready whenever that takes place."

"One of the most important aspects is forecasting ahead. For many, it is a step into the unknown and we must ensure we are more comfortable with uncertainty and have to accept that there could be very little chance that the forecast made will be 100 per cent correct. Every decision and detail will affect the work and it is essential to revisit forecasts and make any necessary changes."

Look Ahead To Day Two

Day two of FinTech Abu Dhabi will see attendees heading to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

The agenda will include keynote speeches, a series of fireside sessions on how to create a billion-dollar company, the role of artificial intelligence in the FinTech industry and Abu Dhabi as a global FinTech hub. There will be FinTech Abu Dhabi inaugural awards ceremony take place as well as the Plug and Play pitching competition uniting start-ups with the unrivalled tech expertise of Silicon Valley. The festival will also hear from the Vice Chairman of NASDAQ as he answers the question 'What's next with NASDAQ?' as well as the Founder and CEO of Souqalmal.com among others.

About FinTech Abu Dhabi 2019

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the annual FinTech Abu Dhabi Festival (FinTechAD) is organised by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the award-winning International Financial Centre in Abu Dhabi and powered by global innovation platform, Unbound. The 2019 FinTechAD  brings together 13 FinTech Unicorns, close to 5,000 global and local financial institutions, FinTech start-ups, investors, regulatory agencies and the business community to network, collaborate and exchange expertise and knowledge in FinTech developments in Abu Dhabi, the wider MENA region and internationally.

This year the Festival includes the inaugural Investor Forum which has attracted leading regional and international venture capital investors to gather with their peers, exchange ideas and best practices.

The Festival comprises the FinTechAD Innovation Challenge, the Etihad Challenge sponsored by Etihad Airways, the FinTech-themed Youth Circle, FinTech 50 Firms, FinTechAD Awards, Urban Experience, and numerous industry workshops.

FinTech Abu Dhabi 2019 is pleased to be working with the following partners for this year's event:

• Government Partners: Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Abu Dhabi Department of Finance, Authority of Social Contributrion - Ma'an
• Platinum Partners: ADCB, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, Etihad, Hub 71
• Accelerator Partner: Plug and Play ADGM
• Gold Partners: Anglo-Gulf Trade Bank, Finablr
• Silver Partner: DEX
• Bronze Partners: DLA Piper, Grant Thornton, Habib Bank

For more details of the ADGM's FinTech Abu Dhabi event, visit www.fintechabudhabi.com to register interest and follow us on @FinTechAD, #FinTechAD and #InnovationChallengeAD

About Unbound

Founded by Daniel Seal in the UK in 2013, Unbound has grown rapidly into a powerful, trusted brand with a globally respected voice on innovation. Unbound bridges the gap, enabling a fusion of grassroots entrepreneurs, established corporate business, dynamic brands, governments and trade agencies to inspire communities and fuel a digital future. It encourages innovation by showcasing pioneering ideas and empowering entrepreneurship, creating digital ecosystems around the world.

In 2018, Unbound festivals welcomed over 25,000 of the finest minds in tech to hear from future-focussed speakers, and take part in immersive brand experiences, pitch sessions and startup battles.

For more details of Unbound, please visit www.unbound.live or follow us on Twitter: @unboundglobal Instagram: UnboundGlobal, LinkedIn: UnboundGlobal