Top 17 Companies in Investment Readiness Acceleration Programme for Women Entrepreneurs Announced 

The Ministry of Economy and the European Women's Association (EWA) have unveiled the top 17 companies in the Investment Readiness Acceleration Programme, launched in March 2024.

The "Investment Readiness Acceleration Programme for Women Entrepreneurs" aims to support the growth of women-led start-ups in the UAE, promote their expansion into new economic sectors, provide them with the essential skills to raise capital and investments, and support their communication with investors.

Seventeen companies out of 200 that applied for the programme were selected, including eight that received financial support from investors interested in their creative ideas, projects, and innovations.

A committee of venture capital and private equity experts reviewed the top 17 projects.

The event also saw the announcement of the top three startups that were awarded cash prizes of AED200,000 for first place and AED100,000 each for second and third place, from the GETVISION family office in recognition of their achievements and investment potential.

Zidyia specialises in creating educational pathways for teachers and learners; Diagnio specialises in women's health management; and The Food Engine reshapes agriculture with sustainable practises. Five other companies founded by Emirati citizens and expatriates will receive subsequent investment support of up to AED2 million.

In her statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the event, Badreya Al Maidoor, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Support Services Sector at the Ministry of Economy, said that the Programme, in cooperation with EWA, is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Economy to promote gender equality, empower women in various economic activities, and encourage the establishment of new entrepreneurial projects that enhance economic development in the country and strengthen women's essential skills to attract investments and financing.

She added that the programme provides direct and specialised learning opportunities through training courses that cover the main aspects of establishing and developing startups that meet the unique needs of female entrepreneurs.

Yulia Stark, Founder and President of the European Women's Association (EWA), said that over the past three years, the focus has been on building bridges between female entrepreneurs in Europe and the UAE. After many trade missions, they cooperated with the UAE Ministry of Economy to support institutions to obtain financing.

"Access to financing remains a challenge for female entrepreneurs, and therefore the EWA Accelerator provides a direct solution to this challenge by providing financial support and vital ecosystem partnerships,” she said, pointing out that supporting female entrepreneurs in obtaining financing is what they have been doing for the past decade, and this is what they are doing in the UAE with plans to expand  to other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.