MBRIF Hosts Demo Day to Spotlight Cohort 9 Startups

Home » Startups » MBRIF Hosts Demo Day to Spotlight Cohort 9 Startups
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF), an initiative by the UAE Ministry of Finance, announced the successful completion of its Demo Day event. The event showcased innovations from members of Cohort 9 of its Innovation Accelerator Program.
MBRIF revealed that the Demo Day aimed to highlight groundbreaking projects from startups operating in the UAE and globally. These companies are looking to expand their presence in the country and represent key sectors including health, transport, education, technology, clean energy, water, and space.
The startups competed for three key awards: Best Pitch
Best UAE Homegrown Business
Most Impactful Business
The event began with welcome remarks from Shaker Zainal, Head of MBRIF and Chief Business Officer at Emirates Development Bank. A keynote address followed, delivered by H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank.
Member companies delivered innovative presentations, showcasing their creativity and market potential. The Ministry of Finance's representative at MBRIF, Fatima Yousif Alnaqbi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector, praised the achievements of Cohort 9.
She reported that the presentations aligned with the goals of the UAE's National Innovation Strategy. Alnaqbi emphasized MBRIF's ongoing commitment to support startups through tailored mentorship, strategic networking, and world-class resources.
She added that this support equips startups to grow and compete on a global scale. Alnaqbi congratulated all participants and noted MBRIF's readiness to continue backing their journey.
A panel of industry experts evaluated the pitches. The judges included: Ali AlMajthoob, Managing Director at MEVP
Ivo Detelinov, General Partner at Salica Investments
Karim Konsowa, Portfolio Manager at Hub71
The judges focused on the strengths and potential of each company in both local and global markets. At the end of the event, MBRIF announced the award winners. Aura received the Best Pitch Award. Mantas was named Best UAE Homegrown Business. Neuroblast won the Most Impactful Business Award.
MBRIF reported that its Innovation Accelerator Program continues to serve as a key driver of innovation and entrepreneurship in the UAE. The program supports startups in vital sectors and aligns with national strategies to foster innovation.
The Demo Day provided a platform for startups to connect with investors, gain exposure, and access growth opportunities. MBRIF affirmed its role in offering mentorship, insights, and global networking to help startups scale sustainably.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Sharjah 24

2 days ago

• Sharjah 24

NAMA's programme empowers women across Sharjah

When Mariam Al Naqbi, a mother from Al Madam in Sharjah, started teaching her children about saving during dinner, it was more than just a new routine. It reflected a deeper shift in how she viewed money, no longer just a source of stress, but a means to plan, learn, and even dream. She was one of nearly 200 women across Sharjah who recently participated in the 'Financial Literacy Programme' organised by NAMA Women Advancement (NAMA). Participants in Sharjah city, Kalba, Dibba Al Hisn, and Al Madam engaged in practical training designed to demystify personal finance and provide effective strategies for saving, budgeting, and informed spending. Building financial confidence Led by financial consultant Salah Al Halyan, the programme moved beyond theory, and participants were encouraged to apply what they learned in real-life scenarios, from creating monthly budgets to assessing the risks and benefits of borrowing. The sessions focused on building financial confidence, particularly among women at the early stages of their professional or family journeys. For Latifa Al Mulla from Kalba, the course offered something she had long needed: clarity. 'I felt like I finally had a roadmap,' she said. 'I used to feel overwhelmed by monthly expenses. Now I see where the money goes, and I feel in control.' The programme also instilled the confidence needed to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions. One participant from Dibba Al Hisn, who had shelved her dream of starting a small home business, said the training gave her both the numbers and the mindset to move forward. 'I always thought finance was too complicated for me. Now I know how to plan and start with what I have.' Such outcomes reflect a broader philosophy that drives NAMA's efforts, with the belief that true empowerment begins with understanding. The organization emphasises that financial literacy is not just a useful skill but is essential for long-term stability, security, and meaningful economic participation. UAE benchmark for balance and equal opportunity While the course was tailored to women's personal experiences, its relevance extends to national priorities as well. According to the UAE Ministry of Finance, Emirati women account for 54.7 per cent of employees in the federal financial sector and hold 42.8 per cent of its leadership positions. In total, they represent more than three-quarters of the workforce in this field. These figures point to a wider trend, the growing role of women in shaping the country's financial future. Among Emirati youth, 78.12 per cent are female, underscoring the importance of early, sustained investment in their capabilities. Under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of NAMA, the organisation has prioritised financial education as a tool for personal growth and community resilience. Initiatives like the 'Financial Literacy Programme' are part of a broader push to equip women not only to participate in economic life, but to lead it. For Mariam, Aisha, and their fellow participants, the programme's impact is vividly clear. It's reflected in newly drafted savings plans, and carefully managed household budgets that now guide their financial decisions. This shift to informed action and confidence empowers their financial journeys, actively shaping their futures.

Zawya

4 days ago

• Zawya

UAE participates in the 46th Ministerial Council meeting of the OPEC Fund for International Development in Vienna

Assessing progress in the implementation of the Fund's plans and projects Highlighting the challenges of the evolving global development landscape Exploring ways to enhance South-South cooperation Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini: The flexibility of the OPEC Fund's development solutions is key to effectively adapting to global challenges Vienna: The United Arab Emirates, represented by the Ministry of Finance, participated today in the 46th session of the Ministerial Council of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), held in Vienna, Austria. The UAE delegation was headed by H.E. Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, and included Thuraiya Hamid Alhashmi, Director of the International Financial Relations and Organisations Department at the Ministry of Finance and Governor to the OPEC Fund for International Development, and Hamad Issa Al Zaabi, Director of the Office of the Minister of State for Financial Affairs and Alternate Governor to the Fund. The meeting discussed the OPEC Fund's Annual Report for 2024 and focused on evaluating the progress made in implementing the Fund's plans and projects. It also addressed the challenges posed by the rapidly evolving global development landscape, particularly in areas such as energy and food security, climate change, and the need to create sustainable job opportunities. Participants also discussed ways to strengthen South-South cooperation and build sustainable partnerships between the OPEC Fund and regional and international development finance institutions to enhance the efficiency of responses to beneficiary countries' needs. Flexible Development Solutions In his speech during the meeting, H.E. Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini praised the tangible achievements made over the past year, which marked a milestone in the Fund's journey toward expanding its operations and enhancing its resilience and adaptability. He stated: 'This year marks the 49th anniversary of the OPEC Fund's founding, reflecting the strength of its founding vision and its pioneering role in promoting sustainable development across the Global South. Over the past year, the Fund has demonstrated outstanding institutional performance, driven by a clear approach under the 2030 Strategic Framework, enabling it to effectively respond to rapidly evolving conditions and deliver flexible and actionable development solutions across various sectors.' He added: 'We recognise that the global development landscape is undergoing significant changes, with governments across our regions facing multiple challenges—from food security and energy provision to climate change adaptation and job creation. Amidst these challenges, the pressure on the development finance system is growing at an unprecedented pace. In this context, the OPEC Fund can play a central role in supporting countries by advancing South-South cooperation and offering financial solutions that span a wide range of sectors and instruments, in addition to its strong global credibility.' Advancing Development Efforts The OPEC Fund for International Development is a multilateral development finance institution established in 1976. It works to strengthen cooperation between OPEC member countries and development partners from the Global South and the international development community. Its mission is to support sustainable social and economic progress in low- and middle-income countries worldwide, contributing to stability and prosperity in beneficiary countries by offering technical and financial assistance through concessional financing, grants, and development-focused aid across sectors such as agriculture, education, energy, health, and transport. Since its inception, the Fund has committed over USD 27 billion to support more than 4,000 development projects with a total estimated cost exceeding USD 200 billion across more than 125 countries.

Zawya

4 days ago

• Zawya

Jordan: Local revenues rise by $270mln in first third of 2025 to $4bln

AMMAN — The public finance data on Tuesday showed an increase in local revenues by about JD192.7 million during the first four months of 2025 to reach JD3.307 billion, compared with JD3.115 billion for the same period last year. Tax revenues during the January-April period of 2025 amounted to JD2.451 billion, and general tax collections on goods and services amounted to JD1.4 billion, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The data revealed that taxes on income and profits amounted to JD937.4 million, real estate sale tax reached JD33.2 million, while taxes on trade and international transactions stood at JD80.2 million. Non-tax revenues amounted to JD856.1 million during the first four months of 2025, the data showed. The general budget recorded a fiscal deficit, after grants, that reached JD469.2 million during the first four months of 2025, compared with a financial deficit of JD345.1 million during the same period of 2024. The increase in the deficit came as a result of the increase in capital spending within the allocations estimated in the general budget law by JD84 million compared with the same period last year. According to the public finance data, the general budget without grants, recorded a fiscal deficit of up to JD490.8 million against a fiscal deficit of JD405.9 million during the same period of 2024. The ratio of government debt to GDP is forecast to decline at the end of June to hover around its rates at the end of last year, after the Ministry of Finance repays the Eurobonds worth $1 billion that mature next June, Petra reported.