UAE, 10 December, 2024 :The United Arab Emirates hosted the inaugural Founders' Retreat from December 6-8, 2024, bringing together over 60 leading Indian start-up founders, UAE business leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore new opportunities for bilateral investment.
Co-organized by the UAE Embassy in Delhi, Offline, and the UAE-India CEPA Council, the event marked a significant milestone in UAE-India relations, emphasizing both countries’ shared commitment to innovation and economic growth.
With participating start-ups averaging a valuation of US$3.5 billion, including founders from 13 Indian unicorns and five publicly listed companies, the retreat facilitated transformative collaborations and showcased the mutual benefits of closer investment ties.
The UAE has invested nearly $20 billion in the Indian economy since 2000, significantly impacting India’s start-up sector. Initiatives like the UAE-India Start-up Bridge, under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), have further strengthened this partnership.
Dr. Abdulnasser Alshaali, UAE Ambassador to India, highlighted the Retreat as a commitment to deeper collaboration and innovation. Utsav Somani, Founder of Offline, emphasized the event as a catalyst for start-up collaboration, combining India's entrepreneurial talent with UAE support for global success.
The Founders' Retreat underscored the UAE’s ongoing investment in India’s economy and the potential for further growth, including new ventures like the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority’s fund in India’s GIFT City.
Source : www.wam.ae
