Over 10,000 Indian startups rush to join UAE-India CEPA Council's series
Empower your mind, elevate your skills
In just 50 days, the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) Council's Startup Series has attracted applications from more than 10,000 Indian entrepreneurs, underscoring the programme's role in accelerating the globalisation of homegrown Indian ventures.The Startup Series is the UAE-India CEPA Council 's flagship initiative, designed to connect India's most promising innovators with the UAE's dynamic start-up ecosystem.Offering a comprehensive launchpad, from mentorship to regulatory guidance, the programme leverages the opportunities created under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to accelerate cross-border growth The start-up series journey commenced on 24 June 2025, with a dynamic launch event in New Delhi, hosted by His Excellency Abdulnasser Alshaali, PhD, UAE Ambassador to India.Bringing together leading founders, investors, and policymakers from both nations, the event marked the official unveiling of the Start-up Series trailer to an audience poised with anticipation.Since the launch event, the Startup Series, led by Ahmed Aljneibi, Director of the UAE-India CEPA Council, has travelled to eight leading Indian institutions, building partnerships and opening new pathways into the UAE's start-up ecosystem.At Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, the Council partnered with the Atal Incubation Centre Mahamana Foundation for Innovation and Entrepreneurship , where rural-tech founders pitched solutions to transform lives and an MoU was signed to formalise future collaboration.In Gurugram, sessions at IILM University and the Master's Union School of Business brought live pitches and a strategic Q&A with the UICC leadership, paving the way for new MoUs linking Indian ventures to UAE stakeholders.The journey continued to Bengaluru, where IIM Bangalore's NS Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning hosted deep-dive roundtables on scaling tech and deep-tech ventures, with tailored advice on achieving product-market fit for the GCC. At IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, climate, mobility, and fintech founders explored how the CEPA can accelerate their international ambitions.In Greater Noida, engagements at Galgotias University and the Atal Incubation Centre - Birla Institute of Management Technology spotlighted health-tech, sustainability, and women-led enterprises, with UAE experts offering practical feedback.The series culminated at IIT Delhi's Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer on August 4, where an MoU was signed, the Start-up Series trailer was premiered, and incubatees showcased their unique and forward-leaning innovations from agri-tech to defence and smart mobility, underscoring the breadth of opportunities awaiting Indian entrepreneurs in the UAE."From Varanasi to Bengaluru, Kolkata to Delhi, I've had the privilege of meeting hundreds of India's most ambitious founders - listening to their pitches, walking through their incubators, and seeing innovation in action. The Start-up Series is more than a roadshow; it's a bridge into the UAE's thriving start-up ecosystem. The partnerships we have signed, the mentorship we are offering, and the market access we are opening will give these entrepreneurs the tools they need to scale globally," said Aljneibi, director of the UAE-India CEPA Council.With the conclusion of the nationwide roadshow, the UAE-India CEPA Council's Start-up Series will now move into its next exciting phase. Applications close on August 15, after which 20 of India's most promising ventures will be shortlisted and invited to New Delhi to present their UAE expansion plans before a high-profile panel of experts from both countries.From these, five winners will be selected to receive fully sponsored market entry and incubation in the UAE. The prize package will include funded incubation, trade licences, tailored mentorship, and hands-on support to fast-track integration into the UAE's start-up ecosystem under the CEPA framework.Amid unprecedented growth in the UAE-India economic relationship, the Start-up Series is a practical example of how high-level trade and investment gains are being turned into real-world opportunities for entrepreneurs.With bilateral trade surging to $100.05 billion in the 2024-25 financial year and UAE foreign direct investment into India tripling in just two years, the series offers a direct way for innovative Indian ventures to access the UAE's dynamic market, strengthen cross-border supply chains, and contribute to the next chapter of this rapidly deepening partnership.As a concrete outcome of the UAE-India CEPA, the initiative delivers on Article 13.2 of the accord, which commits both countries to advancing cooperation in the start-up sector through closer links between incubators, accelerators, and related institutions.By turning this commitment into a working platform for market access, mentorship, and investment, the Start-up Series is transforming the CEPA's ambitions into real opportunities for growth.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Yashobhoomi convention centre in Delhi's Dwarka wins International Architecture Award 2024
New Delhi It was inaugurated in September 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (HT Archive) The Yashobhoomi Convention and Exhibition Centre in Dwarka, southwest Delhi, has won the International Architecture Award 2024 under the 'Civic Centre' category, which will be presented next month at the historic Acropolis in Athens, Greece, a globally recognised landmark in architecture. The prize is awarded by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, and The European Centre for Architecture Art, Design and Urban Studies. Dikshu C Kukreja, managing principal of CP Kukreja Architects, which designed the centre, said: 'Yashobhoomi embodies Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of positioning India as a leading global hub.' Designed in collaboration with IDOM (Spain), Yashobhoomi spans 225 acres and has a built-up area of 2.2 million square feet. It was inaugurated in September 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The venue, built at a cost of ₹5,400 crore, features multiple exhibition halls, auditoriums and conference rooms to host trade and diplomatic events. Kukreja said the Union ministry of commerce selected them for the global competition. The firm is renowned for designing the Jawaharlal Nehru University and the Ambadeep Towers in Delhi. It was recently internationally recognised for designing the Madhya Pradesh state secretariat and Gautam Buddha University. Recalling that the project's conceptualisation involved close collaboration with retired IAS officer Amitabh Kant, who was also the G20 Sherpa, to ensure the facility could host high-profile gatherings, such as the G20 Summit. After the award was announced, Kant thanked the Prime Minister on the social media platform X, 'for the vision and opportunity to conceptualise and drive it as Secretary DIPP (Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion)'. What sets Yashobhoomi apart, Kukreja said, is its fusion of modern technology with traditional Indian identity. 'It's easy to copy global examples from Germany, Korea, or the US; but for me, it was essential to root the design in India's ethos—through stepwell-inspired forms, jali screens, aangan-like light courts, and interiors steeped in Indian art and motifs.' He said the exhibition hall spans an area equivalent to four football fields. The venue features a 100-metre column-free span and the world's largest LED facade. 'The venue is also India's first to incorporate retractable seating that can transform a 6,000-seater hall into a flat-floored multi-purpose space at the touch of a button,' he said. Large venues like this often turn into 'white elephants' due to a lack of versatility. 'So, we ensured that the hall can have multiple uses,' he said. Kukreja said sustainability was a core design priority, and this secured the Indian Green Building Council's platinum rating. 'Steel was chosen to minimise localised pollution. This ensured durability and lower carbon impact, while featuring recycled materials, locally sourced granite and marble, and off-site fabricated glass-reinforced concrete,' he said. Kukreja said the award was more than personal recognition. 'This is about India creating architecture the world talks about and respects.'
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
The MarTech Makeover of U-Sell and X-Sell
Dear Reader, Once upon a time, cross-selling belonged squarely in the domain of sales. It was defined by a handshake, a smile, and the classic prompt, 'Will you have fries with that?' Today, it's moved into marketing's territory, powered by data, automated campaigns, and connected brand ecosystems. What used to happen at the counter now happens in your inbox, your app, and even your social media feed. This week, we unpack how that shift happened, and how marketers have brought a whole new dimension to cross selling and upselling . Plus, we dive into APIs powering the modern digital landscape and explore how AI has already become your customers' shopping companion. Let's jump in. Will you have fries with that? Cross-selling and upselling used to be all about face-to-face persuasion. Now, it's in the hands of marketers using behavioural data, Martech stacks, and cross-channel journeys. Read more Why you should care: Because marketing isn't just about the first sale anymore, it's about nudging the next one, and the next. Mastering this = more revenue, better CX. APIs: The MarTech Glossary APIs might sound technical, but they're the invisible glue holding together the modern Martech stack, powering everything from CRMs to chatbots. Read more Why you should care: Because if you're stitching together tools (and who isn't?), API literacy can save time, reduce friction, and keep your data flowing seamlessly. AI is now the consumer's 'good friend' A staggering 95% of Indian consumers use AI to make purchase decisions, finds an Accenture report. And over half of active users consider AI a 'good friend'. Read more Why you should care: Because marketing to a consumer who's already consulting AI means your strategy must evolve, from influencing people to influencing their algorithms. Over to you How is your team using data to upsell smarter? Or APIs to make your stack sing? Tell us what you're experimenting with, tag @ETBrandEquity on LinkedIn and let's swap notes. Stay tuned for the next edition of the MarTech+ newsletter rolling out every week on Wednesday. – Team ETBrandEquity
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
All Roads in Performance Marketing Ecosystem to Converge at CLICK 2025
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], August 13: The 11th edition of India's foremost annual affiliate marketing conference -- the India Affiliate Summit -- is all set to return in a significantly larger avatar as CLICK 2025, covering all the sub-sectors under the broad umbrella of performance marketing. Organised by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), CLICK 2025 will be held on August 20-21 at Andaz, New Delhi. The conference will bring together the movers and shakers of India's performance and growth marketing landscape, showcasing the industry's transition from traditional affiliate models to an integrated, ROI-driven ecosystem. This year's summit will feature keynotes, masterclasses, panel discussions, and networking sessions, focusing on developments across affiliate marketing, e-commerce, D2C, programmatic advertising, influencer and creator-led commerce, AI-driven personalisation, retail media, and cross-border engagements. Industry experts will share insights into how marketers are adopting new technologies, forming strategic partnerships, and building data-led funnels to improve business outcomes. Among the major speakers at CLICK 2025 are Lee-Ann Johnstone - Founder, Affiverse; Urmesh Chandra - Digital Marketing Head, PolicyBazaar; Rajiv Dubey - Vice President - Marketing, Dabur India; Sidharth Shakdher - CMO & Business Head, Paytm; Vikram Singh - Digital Marketing Head, ITC Hotels; Anchit Chandra - Digital Marketing Head & CRM, Muthoot Fincorp ONE; Dennis Yu - CEO, Blitz Metrics; Parul Bhargava - CEO, vCommission; Srikanth Bureddy - Co-founder, Valueleaf; Sanjay Sindhwani - CEO, Indian Express Digital. For brands and advertisers, CLICK 2025 will offer a strategic platform to discover new-age acquisition models, improve ROAS, and identify the right technology and agency partners. For publishers, creators, tech platforms and affiliate networks, the summit will provide opportunities to showcase innovations, engage in high-value conversations, and build collaborative ventures. A knowledge book titled, Scaling D2C Success with Affiliate Marketing, will be launched at the summit. The partners and exhibitors for CLICK 2025 are vCommission, Valueleaf, Singhtek, Apptrove by Trackier, Confluencr, MGID, Affise, GrabOn and Offer18. The conference is also supported by ONDC. To register for CLICK 2025, or for more information, please visit The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) is a not-for-profit industry body with more than 600 members, including Indian and multinational corporations, as well as start-ups. IAMAI has been instrumental in shaping India's digital economy. IAMAI advocates free and fair competition, and progressive and enabling laws for businesses as well as for consumers. The overarching objective of IAMAI is to ensure the progress of the internet and the digital economy. Its major areas of activities are public policy and advocacy, business to business conferences, research, promotion of start-ups and promotion of consumer trust and safety.
