MENA-based seed and early stage venture capital firm, Flat6Labs, in partnership with ADQ-based venture platform DisruptAD, has unveiled nine innovative start-ups that have been selected to participate in the Flat6Labs Ignite programme, following a vetting process of more than 700 start-ups globally.
Launched by the partnership last year, Flat6Labs Ignite is a specialised seed program supporting up to 60 start-ups in Abu Dhabi over three years.
In addition to offering seed funding of up to $149,740 (AED 550,000), and subsequent funding of up to $544,500 (AED 2 million), the programme gives selected start-ups tailored support, world-class mentorship, and access to ADQ’s network and resources.
“DisruptAD is actively investing in high-potential technology start-ups that apply the latest innovation and thinking to maximise value creation and advance Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic potential. Partnering with Flat6Labs on Cycle 2 of the Ignite Accelerator Programme aims to unleash the potential of founders and entrepreneurs who are growing transformative ventures to seize some of the biggest industry opportunities,” said Amer Al Ameri, head of Venture Capital and Technology Investments at ADQ.
Of the nine companies that have been accepted into the Cycle 2 cohort, four are home-grown UAE start-ups, whilst the remaining five organisations originate from India, Russia, Singapore, Poland, and Egypt.
The objective of the accelerator is to attract the best talent from around the world to Abu Dhabi. These international companies will begin relocating significant portions of their operations and leadership teams to the capital.
“As part of our commitment to disrupting the norm, the nine companies accepted into the programme will not only be nurtured but will also stand the chance to gain further exposure as part of our Demo Day that is essential for the growth of seed-stage start-ups,” added Al Ameri.
Flat6Labs will host a Demo Day in Abu Dhabi on 24 March 2022 following the onboarding of the nine start-ups to the programme.
Selected start-ups
Leveraging on the rapidly developing fintech space, the programme has onboarded Kredium, an international mortgage and property platform, that offers a one-stop shop for all foreign national, overseas, cross-border, and expat mortgages as well as local mortgage & property brokerage services.
Healthcare, a key sector in the UAE, stands to benefit from the induction of DocVita, a platform that allows individuals to consult with top doctors from the comfort of their homes. The company allows doctors and specialists to deliver virtual care to their patients and seamlessly integrate their online and in-person practice.
With the UAE’s strong focus on sustainability, Nadeera, an innovator in leveraging technology to entice consumers to recycle, has the potential to strongly support the country’s ambition.
Ibtikaroom and Hustro address key challenges in the real-estate and construction industries. The former provides a platform ecosystem of instant 3D digital twins and big data analysis with an interface for all players in the real estate market, whereas Hustro offers data-driven construction control software.
With the spotlight being shone on online education over the last two years, GeekExpress aims to capitalise on this momentum by enabling K-12 students with technology skills through a futuristic model of online education that includes live sessions, video content, and game-based learning, guaranteeing convenience for parents, and engagement for students.
Rounding out the Cycle 2 cohort are Your Parts, an end-to-end automotive service marketplace that solves the pain of servicing vehicles; Buglab which uses the power of blockchain to enable attainable, versatile, and reliable penetration testing for digital enterprise solutions; and Fanera, a fan engagement app for football fans to engage with a community of like-minded people.
“With the successful conclusion of the selection stage for Cycle 2, we have already commenced the application phase for Cycle 3 and encourage ambitious start-ups from around the world to participate in this next round,” said Ryaan Sharif, general manager at Flat6Labs.
