Latest news with #Ignyte
Mid East Info
4 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
Zoftware's Aayushman Dalmia wins Innovation Excellence award at Ignyte SME Challenge - Middle East Business News and Information
Aayushman Dalmia, founder of Dubai-based startup Zoftware, has won the Innovation Excellence Award at the Digital Enablement of SMEs Challenge. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence of UAE and Ignyte, positions Dalmia for further growth as he continues his mission to simplify software discovery for small and medium businesses across the region. Dalmia's platform, Zoftware, has been steadily gaining traction in the MENA startup ecosystem for offering a streamlined approach to finding, comparing and selecting enterprise software solutions – a process that remains a hurdle for many growing businesses. 'This award is a testament to the need for simplifying tech access for SMEs,' said Dalmia, who has been named among Forbes Middle East's 30 Under 30 entrepreneurs in the past. 'Our goal has always been to bridge the digital divide by helping businesses make faster, more informed software decisions.' The challenge is part of a wider push to accelerate SME digitisation across the region — an agenda that aligns closely with both government and private-sector priorities in the UAE. Aimed at recognising impactful solutions that accelerate SME digital transformation, the challenge, held recently in Dubai, drew hundreds of high-potential founders from across the MENA region. Dalmia impressed the jury with his platform's clear value proposition and scalable vision—matching SMEs with the right digital tools through a curated marketplace backed by intelligent filters, user reviews, and guided discovery. 'This award validates everything we've been building at Zoftware for the past couple of years or so,' said Dalmia, speaking after the ceremony. 'Technology shouldn't be a hurdle—it should be a launchpad. We're making it easier for SMEs to make smart digital decisions without needing an IT degree.' With this latest recognition, Zoftware joins a growing list of Dubai-born startups gaining international visibility, reinforcing the city's position as a launchpad for regional innovation. A Track Record of Disruptive Innovation- Zoftware has been making headlines since its launch for its ambitious aim: to become the region's go-to platform for B2B software discovery. In 2024, the company was recognised by TechRadar MENA as one of the 'Top 10 Startups to Watch' in the SaaS enablement space. Under Dalmia's leadership, Zoftware has grown rapidly, onboarding hundreds of software vendors and serving SMEs in sectors ranging from logistics and retail to health and education. Beyond the Prize: A Strategic Boost- 'We're at a tipping point now,' Dalmia added. 'This support will help us go deeper in key markets and integrate more AI-driven features to guide SME software choices. Our roadmap includes multi-language access, fintech tools, and region-specific integrations.' Digital Enablement: A Regional Imperative- As the UAE and wider Gulf continue to prioritise SME growth as a cornerstone of economic diversification, platforms like Zoftware are stepping in to close the tech literacy and access gap. According to a recent report by the World Bank, nearly 75% of SMEs in the MENA region still lack structured digital infrastructure – a gap Zoftware aims to close. 'We're not selling software – we're selling clarity, confidence, and capacity,' Dalmia said. 'If we get this right, we unlock not just productivity, but resilience and long-term competitiveness for thousands of businesses.' With the Innovation Excellence Award now under its belt, Zoftware is poised to scale further and cement its role as a key enabler of SME digital transformation in the region.
CairoScene
13-05-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
PayPal Partners With Ignyte to Support UAE Startups
PayPal has partnered With Ignyte to help startups and SMBs streamline cross-border payments and drive digital growth as a founding partner in the platform. May 13, 2025 PayPal has partnered with Ignyte, a global platform for startups and SMBs, to streamline cross-border payments and support digital growth. As a founding partner, PayPal will help entrepreneurs manage transactions more efficiently in today's digital economy. The partnership aligns with PayPal's ongoing efforts to back innovation in the UAE and the broader Middle East. Ignyte, launched in October 2024 under Dubai's Digital Economy Strategy, offers startups access to mentors, investors, and over 250 business tools and perks. The initiative aims to strengthen the region's position as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Arabian Business
09-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
du, DIFC's Ignyte partner to accelerate AI innovation and SME growth across UAE
UAE telecom major du announced a strategic partnership with Ignyte, a dynamic digital platform curated by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), to accelerate AI innovation, support startups, and expand digital inclusion across the UAE. The initiative is in line with du's commitment to fostering the growth of SMEs through advanced digital transformation solutions for entrepreneurs, the company said. The partnership will benefit from the du business ecosystem, offering bundled value and exclusive telecom integrations through a strategic platform collaboration designed to empower the business community. UAE named best country for entrepreneurs in 2025 Startups are expected to gain from mentorship in business, technology, and telecom, which boosts their market preparedness and stability. Simultaneously, Ignyte 's network will promote connections with investors and corporations, speeding up growth and increasing the likelihood of success. In alignment with du Business' SME strategy, this initiative will enable SMEs by offering robust digital solutions that navigate the complexities of today's business world, propel digital transformation, and champion business excellence, the company said. Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du said the collaboration will enable the company to support startups directly by fostering access to funding, mentoring, and problem-solving opportunities, all while equipping them with our state-of-the-art digital solutions. 'It's about creating a sustainable, innovative ecosystem where every entrepreneur can thrive,' he said. Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub, said the strategic alliance represents a pivotal step forward in its commitment to cultivating a vibrant and future-ready digital economy in Dubai. 'Through our partnership with du, we are unlocking transformative opportunities for visionary founders to innovate, scale ambitiously, and thrive globally,' he said. In addition, the initiative also marks a continuation and evolution of the existing collaboration with DIFC. platform, enhancing visibility and alignment with DIFC's extensive ecosystem and customer base.
Entrepreneur
09-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
du and Ignyte are Collaborating to Empower SME Growth in the UAE
You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. du, the Dubai-headquartered telecom and digital services provider, has announced a strategic partnership with Ignyte, a digital platform curated by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) under the Sheikh Hamdan Initiative. The collaboration is set to accelerateartificial intelligence (AI) innovation, support startups, and expand digital inclusion across the UAE in line with du's commitment to fostering the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through advanced digital transformation solutions for entrepreneurs. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Future Technology and Digital Economy witnessed the signing of the agreement during a ceremony at the inaugural Dubai AI Week, which was held from April 21-25, 2025. The agreement was signed by Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Executive Officer of du and Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority. The partnership will benefit from the du Business ecosystem, offering bundled value and exclusive telecom integrations through a strategic platform collaboration designed to empower the business community. Startups gain from mentorship in business, technology, and telecom, which boosts their market preparedness and stability. Simultaneously, Ignyte's network will promote connections with investors and corporations, speeding up growth and increasing the likelihood of success. In alignment with du Business' SME strategy, this initiative will enable SMEs by offering robust digital solutions that navigate the complexities of today's business world, propel digital transformation, and champion business excellence. "Through our partnership with Ignyte, we are investing in the future of the UAE's vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem," Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du said. "This collaboration enables us to support startups directly by fostering access to funding, mentoring, and problem-solving opportunities, all while equipping them with our state-of-the-art digital solutions. It's about creating a sustainable, innovative ecosystem where every entrepreneur can thrive." "This strategic alliance represents a pivotal step forward in our commitment to cultivating a vibrant and future-ready digital economy in Dubai," Mohammad Alblooshi, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Innovation Hub added. "Through our partnership with du, we are unlocking transformative opportunities for visionary founders to innovate, scale ambitiously, and thrive globally. Together, we are strengthening Dubai's position as a world-leading nexus for entrepreneurship, cutting-edge technology, and bold innovation." In addition, this initiative marks a continuation and evolution of du's existing collaboration with DIFC. Moving beyond offering a physical workspace, the partnership is now deeply integrated into the DIFC platform, enhancing visibility and alignment with DIFC's extensive ecosystem and customer base. This strategic shift highlights an exclusive Telco and AI Challenge collaboration, bundled offerings for du business customers, direct access to an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and a digital-first go-to-market strategy. In fostering this partnership, du and Ignyte aim to position themselves at the forefront of AI and entrepreneurship, and thus unlock scalable digital growth and introduce high-value use cases that will benefit the SME sector. The collaboration also aligns with the D33 agenda, aiming to directly engage with over 100,000 entrepreneurs in the next three years, making this a cornerstone for innovative and entrepreneurial success in the region.
Mid East Info
08-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
du collaborates with Ignyte to empower SMEs growth in the UAE - Middle East Business News and Information
Partnership offers significant benefits, including free annual Ignyte memberships, exclusive plan discounts, and a collaboration on the Ignyte challenge to solve real-world problems for small businesses to accelerate SME growth in alignment with the UAE's vision for a sustainable, innovative economy. Dubai, UAE, May, 2025: du, the leading telecom and digital services provider, today announced its strategic partnership with Ignyte, a dynamic digital platform curated by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) under the esteemed Sheikh Hamdan Initiative. The collaboration is set to accelerate AI innovation, support startups, and expand digital inclusion across the UAE in line with du's commitment to fostering the growth of SMEs through advanced digital transformation solutions for entrepreneurs. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Future Technology and Digital Economy witnessed the signing of the agreement during a ceremony at the recent Dubai AI Week. The agreement was signed by Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Executive Officer from du and Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer from DIFC Authority. The partnership will benefit from the du Business ecosystem, offering bundled value and exclusive telecom integrations through a strategic platform collaboration designed to empower the business community. Startups gain from mentorship in business, technology, and telecom, which boosts their market preparedness and stability. Simultaneously, Ignyte's network promotes connections with investors and corporations, speeding up growth and increasing the likelihood of success. In alignment with du Business' SME strategy, this initiative will enable SMEs by offering robust digital solutions that navigate the complexities of today's business world, propel digital transformation, and champion business excellence. Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du said: 'Through our partnership with Ignyte, we are investing in the future of the UAE's vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem. This collaboration enables us to support startups directly by fostering access to funding, mentoring, and problem-solving opportunities, all while equipping them with our state-of-the-art digital solutions. It's about creating a sustainable, innovative ecosystem where every entrepreneur can thrive.' Mohammad Alblooshi, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Innovation Hub said : 'This strategic alliance represents a pivotal step forward in our commitment to cultivating a vibrant and future-ready digital economy in Dubai. Through our partnership with du, we are unlocking transformative opportunities for visionary founders to innovate, scale ambitiously, and thrive globally. Together, we are strengthening Dubai's position as a world-leading nexus for entrepreneurship, cutting-edge technology, and bold innovation.' In addition, this initiative marks a continuation and evolution of the existing collaboration with DIFC. Moving beyond offering a physical workspace, the partnership is now deeply integrated into the DIFC platform, enhancing visibility and alignment with DIFC's extensive ecosystem and customer base. This strategic shift highlights an exclusive Telco and AI Challenge collaboration, bundled offerings for du business customers, direct access to an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and a digital-first go-to-market strategy. In fostering this partnership, du and Ignyte are positioned at the forefront of AI and entrepreneurship, undeniably unlocking scalable digital growth and introducing high-value use cases that will benefit the SME sector. The collaboration aligns with the D33 agenda, aiming to directly engage with over 100,000 entrepreneurs in the next three years, making this a cornerstone for innovative and entrepreneurial success in the region. About du: du adds life to life with a comprehensive portfolio of mobile, fixed, broadband, entertainment services, and fintech solutions. Through a digital-first approach powered by ultra-reliable fiber and 5G technology, du delivers bespoke solutions leveraging cloud computing, AI-driven analytics, advanced cybersecurity, and IoT integration. As a trusted digital telco enabler spearheading the UAE's digital transformation, we collaborate with a dynamic partner ecosystem to propel industries and society toward operational excellence, shaping a more connected and digitally advanced future across the region. About Ignyte: Ignyte is part of the Dubai Digital Economy Strategy under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It is a leading global start-up ecosystem that empowers founders. As a digital hub for innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship, it provides access to world-class mentors, investors, and more than 250 exclusive perks and resources from leading corporates and industry partners. Ignyte aims to transform the start-up landscape and position the region as a global centre for innovation and business acceleration. It bridges the gap between entrepreneurs and opportunities by fostering collaborations, offering tailored programmes, and facilitating access to capital. Ignyte's mission is to empower 100,000 start-ups, connect more than 5,000 investors, and unite 5,000 industry-leading mentors. Key initiatives include streamlining business set-up, supporting future founders, and accelerating corporate innovation.
