New Delhi [India], November 24 (ANI): The UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) Council’s newest start-up initiative has generated an overwhelming response, receiving more than 10,000 applications in just 50 days, according to its director, Ahmed Aljneibi.
The Start-Up Series is the CEPA Council’s flagship programme, created to connect India’s most promising innovators with the UAE’s rapidly expanding start-up ecosystem. The final countdown has begun, with the top five winners set to be announced on Tuesday. In an interview, Aljneibi discussed the vision behind the programme, the calibre of the selected start-ups, and the broader impact on strengthening bilateral ties.
Aljneibi described the initiative as a “natural step” in advancing the UAE-India CEPA partnership. “Start-ups are now one of the main focuses in the industry. It’s the future in terms of the potential for growth and scaling,” he said. The surge in applications, he added, reflects the strong interest and confidence of Indian entrepreneurs in exploring opportunities in the UAE. “The response has been positive so far, and we’re really looking forward to the conclusion of it and seeing the results of this start-up series.”
Spread over two days, the sessions will allow for detailed evaluation, ecosystem engagement, and networking. At the conclusion, the jury will select the final five start-ups to receive UAE-based incubation and market access support through a flexible, merit-based approach aligned with each start-up’s potential and the UAE ecosystem’s strategic priorities.
A key highlight of the programme is the support package offered to the top five finalists. Aljneibi explained that each of them will receive a soft-landing bundle from leading UAE partners, including Hub71, DP World, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Emirates NBD, and the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone.
“These packages will help start-ups establish a foothold in the UAE,” he said. “This includes trade licensing, mentorship, and potentially access to investors to help them scale up their businesses from India.”
Aljneibi also highlighted the strong innovation represented among the top 20 selected start-ups. “We found some of the best and brightest start-ups,” he said. The list includes a robotics firm enhancing automation for industrial use, an agritech venture building sustainable agricultural solutions, and a regtech platform streamlining policy processes to support improved financial decision-making.
Beyond the competition, Aljneibi emphasized the initiative’s broader purpose of boosting bilateral collaboration. “It encourages collaboration between start-ups in India and the UAE,” he said. By connecting talent, accelerators, and innovation programmes from both nations, the series aims to strengthen cross-border understanding and unlock new opportunities under the CEPA framework.
As the Start-Up Series progresses, both countries stand to benefit from deeper cooperation in entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation—further energizing the UAE-India CEPA partnership.
The Start-Up Series is designed to connect high-potential Indian start-ups with opportunities in the UAE market. Anchored in the UAE-India CEPA, the programme aims to foster cross-border collaboration in innovation and entrepreneurship, offering Indian founders access to the UAE’s business-friendly environment, world-class infrastructure, and global markets. At the same time, it enables the UAE to tap into cutting-edge talent and innovative solutions, strengthening engagement between start-ups, investors, and incubators while advancing shared goals of economic diversification and tech-driven growth. (ANI)
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