Latest news with #AbuDhabiEarlyChildhoodAuthority
Wamda
28-04-2025
- Business
- Wamda
The UAE's formula for startup success: vision, investment and innovation
The United Arab Emirates has cemented itself as a regional leader in entrepreneurship and innovation. With approximately 5,600 tech startups, the UAE outpaces other Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, which hosts around 1,600. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in the nation's economic diversification strategy, contributing 63.5% to the UAE's non-oil GDP. While the UAE's venture capital market is projected to reach AED 2.46 billion by the end of 2025, the reality remains that 80% of startups fail within their first two years. Failure in the startup world is often a mix of factors, including insufficient market research, weak business models, ineffective marketing strategies, and financial mismanagement. To thrive in this competitive landscape, startups must meet investor expectations and demonstrate long-term viability. As someone deeply engaged with startup ecosystems, particularly through Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority's Anjal Z program, I have identified key elements that can help entrepreneurs succeed and avoid early-stage pitfalls. Key Ingredients for a Successful Startup A Clear Vision: The Foundation of Success A well-defined vision is the bedrock of a successful startup. Founders must be able to articulate their purpose, target audience, and value proposition from day one. Without a clear roadmap, startups risk wasting resources, losing direction, and failing to attract investors. A strong business idea, aligned with market needs, is the first step toward sustainable growth and impact. The UAE's leadership has long emphasised the importance of innovation-driven ventures, as seen through various government-led initiatives, including Abu Dhabi's Anjal Z programme. The programme, led by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), equips global startups with the tools to localise and scale impactful solutions in the early childhood development (ECD) space. 2. The Art of Persuasion: Mastering Investor Pitches A compelling pitch must be clear, concise, and backed by data. Investors want to see a unique value proposition, strong market demand, and a scalable business model. Here's what makes a winning pitch: Market Fit: Does the startup solve a real problem? Is there a demand for the solution? Scalability: Is the business model designed for growth? Financial Planning: Are revenue projections realistic? How will the company achieve profitability? Traction: Can the startup demonstrate early success through partnerships, sales, or customer adoption? Strong Team: Investors invest in people as much as ideas—does the team have the skills and vision to execute? Abu Dhabi has become a hub for startup investment, with initiatives such as Hub71 offering access to funding, mentorship, and market expansion opportunities. Additionally, the Anjal Z programme provides global startups with direct access to industry experts and decision-makers, allowing them to refine their pitch and tailor their solutions to Abu Dhabi's unique market needs. 3. Mentorship: Guidance for Growth Mentorship plays a vital role in shaping successful startups. Research shows that 70% of mentored small businesses survive beyond five years—double the survival rate of non-mentored ones. An experienced mentor helps founders navigate challenges, refine strategies, and make informed decisions. Beyond practical guidance, mentors also provide emotional support, helping entrepreneurs stay motivated and resilient in the face of setbacks. By leveraging a mentor's knowledge and network, startups can accelerate growth and make more informed decisions. To find the right mentor, entrepreneurs should look for someone with relevant industry experience, a proven track record, and a willingness to share knowledge. A strong mentor-mentee relationship is built on trust, mutual respect and open communication. Founders can identify potential mentors through networking events, startup incubators, industry conferences, and professional communities. Reaching out with a clear purpose and demonstrating a commitment to learning can help establish a meaningful connection. The right mentor should not only have expertise but also align with the entrepreneur's vision and values, providing guidance that is both strategic and practical. Additionally, mentorship can significantly impact entrepreneurs by providing guidance, industry insights, and valuable connections to help them navigate challenges and accelerate their growth. In Abu Dhabi, startup accelerators and incubators, including Anjal Z and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) innovation initiatives, provide entrepreneurs with unparalleled access to mentorship. The guidance of seasoned professionals can be the difference between startup success and failure. Building a Future of Sustainable Innovation The UAE's startup ecosystem continues to thrive, supported by forward-thinking policies, investment opportunities, and government programmes like the ECA's Anjal Z Programme, which is shaping the future of early childhood development through technology and entrepreneurship. Founders who embrace a clear vision, master the art of pitching, and seek mentorship stand a far greater chance of success. With Abu Dhabi at the forefront of fostering innovation, the next generation of startups has an opportunity to contribute to the region's economic and social transformation—one groundbreaking idea at a time.
Al Etihad
16-04-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
ECA highlights children's responsible technology use during Digital Wellbeing Symposium
16 Apr 2025 17:25 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Organised by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) and hosted by New York University Abu Dhabi (NYU Abu Dhabi), leading experts from the technology sector, including representatives from the organisations that are members of the UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact, gathered in Abu Dhabi to highlight the importance of responsible technology use in early childhood – as part of the Digital Wellbeing Symposium. The event took place as a satellite event of the Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, organised by the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH).The Digital Wellbeing Symposium highlighted the needs and experiences of young children from ages zero to eight in conversations about how digital technologies affect the health, development, and everyday life of young children. Experts furhter discussed key issues around young children's digital Wellbeing and provided insights for the development of guidelines and frameworks around digital media, AI and technology, and the creation of high-quality digital content that prioritises young children's learning and Symposium featured sessions from prominent voices in digital Wellbeing, including Dr. Yousef Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Knowledge and Impact at the ECA, Jawaher Abdelhamid, Head of Public Policy, MEA at SNAP, leading member of the UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact; Professor Susan Danby, Distinguished Professor at Queensland University of Technology; Dr Michael Preston, Senior Vice President at the Sesame Workshop and Professor Jan Plass, Paulette Goddard Chair in Digital Media and Learning Sciences at New York UAE Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact was signed earlier this year at the World Government Summit. It is the first of its kind in the region and brings together different governmental and private sector entities, including the ECA, in support of protecting children online by promoting a safe and appropriate online environment, minimising exposure of children to harmful content and protecting children from on the importance of responsible use of technology in early childhood, Dr. Yousef Al Hammadi said: "At the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, we want to help parents feel more comfortable with their children engaging with digital media. We know that technology plays a big role in young children's lives and in their development. As such, we are proud to see parents in Abu Dhabi embracing technology as a valuable tool to support their child's growth and their efforts to create healthy boundaries around technology use at homes." He addedm "As technology keeps evolving, we hope to keep working with parents to put children's digital wellbeing first, ensuring their everyday life continues to have a well-balanced approach between digital activities and traditional ones."Jawaher Abdelhamid, Head of Public Policy, MEA at SNAP, a leading member of the Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact, said: "Our goal is to ensure that digital media serves as a positive force in children's lives, supporting their learning and development while safeguarding their Wellbeing."The Symposium unveiled the findings of the Digital Use Survey, a first-of-its-kind survey of 10,000 parents in Abu Dhabi emirate, conducted by NYU Abu Dhabi and funded by the ECA, exploring digital media use among Emirati and Expat children up to eight years old, with key findings including; parents are intentional about digital content choices, and that parents generally see digital media as a positive part of modern childhood, with 70 per cent satisfied with the amount of time their young child spends on digital media, parents were found to spend twice as much time engaging with their child in traditional (non-digital) activities as they did in digital ones, parents emphasised the role of digital media in supporting their child's learning, social development, and exploration, with half of the parents (55 per cent) viewing digital media as a valuable tool for supporting their child's learning, and early learning activities and Arabic language videos ranking the highest by parents in their digital content survey represents the first comprehensive analysis of digital media use among children aged 0 to 8. It focuses specifically on the often-overlooked needs of children aged 0 to 8 in digital wellbeing discussions, ensuring their experiences help shape research and on the survey, Antje von Suchodeltz, Associate Professor of Psychology and Global Network Associate Professor of Psychology at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, NYU Abu Dhabi said: "This survey provides valuable insights into how parents are navigating their young children's digital media experiences. Research shows that when parents actively co-engage with their children during digital media use, through co-watching, co-playing, or other interactive experiences, these shared moments strengthen the parent-child relationship and contribute to the child's development across multiple domains. These findings provide a strong foundation for evidence-based policies that promote digital Wellbeing in early childhood.'The Digital Wellbeing Symposium further enhanced the work done by the ECA and its partners, which led to the signing of the recent Children's Digital Wellbeing Pact. Additionally, the symposium highlights the importance of investing in research ecosystems to improve children's Wellbeing. The Digital Wellbeing Symposium is also part of the ECA's World Early Childhood Development (WED) Movement, an initiative which brings together global experts, partners, and disruptors for innovation to advance Early Childhood Development in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
Al Etihad
15-04-2025
- Al Etihad
86% of UAE children regularly engage in digital activities — survey
16 Apr 2025 01:13 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)Eighty-six per cent of young children in the UAE regularly engage in digital activities, with those aged 5-8 seeing 97% rate of usage across digital media, according to new research, which the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) released on Tuesday. Looking into youngsters' use of digital media, the ECA polled more than 10,000 UAE residents for the landmark survey. The preliminary research, which focused on parents of children between 0 and 8 years old, found that almost 70% were satisfied with the amount of time their young child spends on digital media. The study was the first step towards creating a more comprehensive framework and guide for parents that could later become a reference for schools and policymakers, said Hamda Al Suwaidi, Head of Research and Continuous Development, Knowledge and Impact at ECA, in an interview with Aletihad . 'What provoked this research project to start with was ECA's adamance to put children at the centre of everything that's happening around the world,' she said on the sidelines of the Digital Wellbeing Symposium, which was organised by the ECA and hosted by New York University Abu Dhabi. 'Today, we live in a digital world, and with the rise of AI, there's a lot of questions around it. We want to first understand people's worries, so we can help resolve them.' The impact of technology on children has been a hot topic globally, with many parents and governments grappling with how to manage the intergenerational shift and guard their children against the negative impacts of the digital world. More than half of the surveyed UAE parents (55%) viewed digital media as a valuable tool for supporting their child's learning. However, they remained cautious about how technology is being used by their child, with 82% choosing to set rules about which apps or platforms their children can use; 71% placing screen-time limits; and 60% allowing media only during specified times. Certainly, the research supported the hypothesis that young children were highly engaged with digital media, with usage patterns differing by age. While majority of kids are into digital activities, 75% of those under the age of 2 are not being exposed to digital media at all, the research showed. Children aged 5-8 see 97% rate of usage, it added. In The Works: A Content Rating System for Parents With this significant study, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority is focused not on combatting the use of digital devices but rather creating a safer environment that parents can navigate, said Al authority is now working on a 'rating system' that can serve as a guide for parents, she said. 'We are developing this rating system that is research-backed and will inform parents on what content and apps are appropriate. It will be more than a simple rating, but a comprehensive guide on the benefits and drawbacks of online media,' Al Suwaidi said. 'You cannot eliminate digital gadgets from their life; so the question is, what's beneficial and what is not?' This is where the upcoming rating system can help. More Survey Findings Children in Abu Dhabi receive their first digital device at the average age of 3 years and 4 months, the research showed. The primary device which young children use is a digital tablet (68%), followed by a smartphone (12%). When it comes to parents' worries, the primary concerns on children's digital media exposure revolved around behavioural issues, social isolation, and excessive use. Only 11% of parents cited safety and privacy risks as top concerns. Meanwhile, early learning activities and Arabic language videos ranked the highest by parents in their digital content choices. It also found that parents spent twice as much time engaging with their child in traditional (non-digital) activities as they did in digital ones.
The National
17-03-2025
- Business
- The National
Abu Dhabi to open 15 new private nurseries
Fifteen new private nurseries have been licensed to open across Abu Dhabi, including in Al Ain and Al Dhafra. The new institutions will provide a 1,250 places for the emirate's youngest generation. Abu Dhabi's Department of Education and Knowledge assessed each application to make sure fees were reasonable and transparent, Abu Dhabi Media Office reported. Authorities looked at operational costs including rent, as well as staffing expenses and investment in safety and educational material such as books. The emirate has 225 private nurseries that provide 27,791 places. Last week, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority announced it was to introduce a new assessment to improve the quality of services for young children beyond nursery and school. The system will look at programmes including camps, after-school classes, libraries and playgrounds, as well as children's museums and cultural centres with spaces for young people. The initiative, launched in the run up to Emirati Children's Day, which falls on March 15 every year, will focus on children up to age eight. There are plans to expand the system to include services for children up to age 18. The assessment will be based on global leading practices, but it is to be customised to the UAE's culture and values.
Express Tribune
16-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Golden visas and tax perks: UAE's formula for business success
Listen to article The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has solidified its position as one of the fastest-growing entrepreneurial hubs in the GCC, with government-backed policies creating an attractive landscape for startups, according to Khaleej Times. Tax incentives, free zones, 100 per cent foreign ownership, and initiatives such as Golden visas have helped foster a dynamic business environment, providing a strong foundation for both local and international entrepreneurs. 'The UAE's infrastructure, advanced technology, and efficient logistics networks create an ideal environment for startups,' said Maryam Hassani, acting head of Trends & Innovation at the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA). She emphasised that these efforts not only facilitate the startup process but also draw crucial foreign investment. One prominent initiative driving entrepreneurship is the ECA's focus on early childhood development (ECD) startups. Working closely with government agencies, the authority helps startups tailor their solutions to fit the UAE market. Among its key programmes is the Anjal Z Program, launched in 2020 and backed by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). The initiative attracts global ECD startups, helping them integrate their solutions within Abu Dhabi. 'The Anjal Z Program is designed to bridge critical gaps in early childhood development while also contributing to Abu Dhabi's economic diversification,' Hassani said. 'The programme has supported more than 45 early and growth-stage startups, helping them establish a presence in the UAE.' Another notable effort is the Abu Dhabi Youth Challenge (ADYC), a 54-hour boot camp aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18 to 26. It provides young innovators with mentorship, networking opportunities, and hands-on experience by partnering with startups from the Anjal Z Program. Revamped in 2024 under the World Early Childhood Development (WED) Movement, the expanded ADYC+ initiative now welcomes professionals, academics, and researchers. 'The redesigned ADYC+ attracted 270 applicants, from which 150 were selected,' Hassani said. 'By the end of the first day, 58 innovative ideas were pitched, leading to the formation of 18 promising teams.' With government-backed funding, strategic collaborations, and tailored support, the UAE continues to position itself as a global hub for startups. 'By supporting global startups from funding to localisation, the government enables knowledge transfer, job creation, and enhanced competitiveness,' Hassani noted. Through initiatives like these, the UAE demonstrates how effective policy-making can transform the entrepreneurial ecosystem while driving innovation in key sectors such as early childhood development.
