Dubai/Abu Dhabi/New Delhi, December 8, 2024: The United Arab Emirates successfully hosted the inaugural Founders’ Retreat from December 6-8, 2024, uniting over 60 of India’s most prominent start-up founders with UAE business leaders, investors, and policymakers. This landmark event fostered discussions on deepening bilateral investments and exploring new growth opportunities between the two nations.
Co-organized by the UAE Embassy in Delhi, Offline, and the UAE-India CEPA Council, the Retreat marked a pivotal moment in UAE-India relations, underlining their shared vision of driving innovation and economic growth. Participating ventures boasted an average valuation of USD 3.5 billion, including founders of 13 unicorn start-ups and five publicly listed companies, highlighting the scale and potential of cross-border collaborations.
Elevating UAE-India Economic Ties
The UAE has long complemented India’s thriving start-up ecosystem, with investments exceeding USD 20 billion since 2000. Initiatives like the UAE-India Start-up Bridge, a key component of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), continue to strengthen investment flows and foster new partnerships.
His Excellency Abdulnasser Alshaali, PhD, UAE Ambassador to India, stated:
“The Founders’ Retreat is not just a celebration of entrepreneurial excellence but a commitment to deeper collaboration. It reflects our shared vision of fostering innovation, investment, and growth that transcends borders. By bringing UAE and Indian leaders under one roof, we are creating a blueprint for global entrepreneurial success.”
Utsav Somani, Founder of Offline, added:
“The Founders’ Retreat is a catalyst for UAE-India start-up collaboration. By integrating India’s entrepreneurial talent with the UAE’s visionary support, we are building a launchpad for global start-up success. This Retreat showcases how public-private partnerships can drive cross-border innovation and investments.”
Building Global Pathways for Start-up Success
The Retreat highlighted the UAE’s continued focus on enabling Indian start-ups to scale globally, offering opportunities for international expansion through platforms like the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority’s fund in India’s GIFT City. It solidified the UAE-India economic partnership as a model for entrepreneurial excellence and innovation.
About the Organizers:
UAE Embassy in Delhi
The UAE Embassy in Delhi fosters diplomatic, economic, and cultural collaboration between the UAE and India, leading initiatives that drive innovation and strengthen bilateral ties.
Offline
Offline is an exclusive members-only platform connecting India’s top founders, including leaders from unicorn start-ups like Ola, CRED, and Zomato. Focused on supporting scaled-up tech founders, Offline provides peer-led forums, leadership retreats, and international opportunities for professional and personal growth.
UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC)
The UICC enhances opportunities arising from the UAE-India CEPA agreement, enabling deeper commercial engagement between the two nations’ business communities.
For media inquiries, contact:
Email: gauri.chopra@mofa.gov.ae
