Latest news with #iACCELGBI
Khaleej Times
11-08-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
iACCEL GBI and Toronto Business Development Centre team up to help startups scale across UAE and Canada
iACCEL Gulf Business Incubator (iACCEL GBI), a leading go-to-market accelerator launched under the patronage of Dubai SME, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC), Toronto's 35 year old, premier non-profit startup incubator. The agreement establishes a robust cross-border framework designed to support high-potential startups in navigating international expansion between the UAE and Canada. This partnership brings together TBDC's experience helping global startups grow in North America and iACCEL GBI's success in the UAE and Middle East, creating a pathway for expansion. Opening Canada's vibrant tech ecosystem to UAE & Middle Eastern startups, while offering Canadian entrepreneurs' clear pathways into the GCC Region. This partnership comes at a time when both countries are looking to grow stronger startup ecosystems. It shows a joint commitment to helping founders succeed beyond their home markets. iACCEL GBI and TBDC will work together to launch new efforts that give startups the right support networks, guidance, and real chances to grow in global markets. Startups that participate in the initiatives and programs, from this association will receive strong support to prepare for new markets, along with direct links to investors, business leaders, and local experts. The Toronto–UAE Innovation Bridge will also offer ongoing access to shared tools, trusted advice, and learning from other founders. "Partnering with TBDC represents a new chapter in how we help entrepreneurs achieve global ambitions," said Deepak Ahuja, Co-founder and CEO of iACCEL GBI. "By working closely with an organization that has decades of experience supporting international startups in North America, we're opening exciting opportunities for founders of this region to scale into one of the world's most dynamic technology regions." Anishkaa Gehani, Co-founder and CMO of iACCEL GBI, added: "Startups thrive when they have access to fresh perspectives and the right ecosystem to support their journey. Our partnership with TBDC is about fulfilling this need - by creating a platform where entrepreneurs from the UAE and Canada can connect, test ideas in new environments, and accelerate their ambitions with confidence." Vikram Khurana, chairman of Toronto Business Development Centre, said: "Our partnership with iACCEL GBI creates a launchpad for UAE startups to grow into North America and pathways for Canadian ventures into the Gulf. The UAE is a critical node in the global innovation landscape and this partnership will foster two-way access between two major tech and investment hubs." With both countries emerging as strong startup hubs, this partnership allows iACCEL GBI and TBDC to play an active role in shaping global innovation, while helping the UAE grow as a top destination for entrepreneurs.
Zawya
11-08-2025
- Business
- Zawya
IACCEL GBI and Toronto Business Development Centre team up to help startups scale across UAE and Canada
Dubai, UAE: iACCEL Gulf Business Incubator (iACCEL GBI), a leading go-to-market accelerator launched under the patronage of Dubai SME, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC), Toronto's 35 year old, premier non-profit startup incubator. The agreement establishes a robust cross-border framework designed to support high-potential startups in navigating international expansion between the UAE and Canada. This partnership brings together TBDC's experience helping global startups grow in North America and iACCEL GBI's success in the UAE and Middle East, creating a pathway for expansion. Opening Canada's vibrant tech ecosystem to UAE & Middle Eastern startups, while offering Canadian entrepreneurs' clear pathways into the GCC Region. This partnership comes at a time when both countries are looking to grow stronger startup ecosystems. It shows a joint commitment to helping founders succeed beyond their home markets. iACCEL GBI and TBDC will work together to launch new efforts that give startups the right support networks, guidance, and real chances to grow in global markets. Startups that participate in the initiatives and programs, from this association will receive strong support to prepare for new markets, along with direct links to investors, business leaders, and local experts. The Toronto–UAE Innovation Bridge will also offer ongoing access to shared tools, trusted advice, and learning from other founders. 'Partnering with TBDC represents a new chapter in how we help entrepreneurs achieve global ambitions,' said Deepak Ahuja, Co-founder and CEO of iACCEL GBI. 'By working closely with an organization that has decades of experience supporting international startups in North America, we're opening exciting opportunities for founders of this region to scale into one of the world's most dynamic technology regions.' Anishkaa Gehani, Co-founder and CMO of iACCEL GBI, added, 'Startups thrive when they have access to fresh perspectives and the right ecosystem to support their journey. Our partnership with TBDC is about fulfilling this need - by creating a platform where entrepreneurs from the UAE and Canada can connect, test ideas in new environments, and accelerate their ambitions with confidence.' Vikram Khurana, Chairman of Toronto Business Development Centre, said, 'Our partnership with iACCEL GBI creates a launchpad for UAE startups to grow into North America and pathways for Canadian ventures into the Gulf. The UAE is a critical node in the global innovation landscape and this partnership will foster two-way access between two major tech and investment hubs' With both countries emerging as strong startup hubs, this partnership allows iACCEL GBI and TBDC to play an active role in shaping global innovation, while helping the UAE grow as a top destination for entrepreneurs. About iACCEL GBI: iACCEL Gulf Business Incubator is a leading go-to market accelerator that provides end-to-end support for startups expanding to the UAE and Middle East. Launched under the patronage of Dubai SME and the Hamdan Innovation Incubator (Hi2), iACCEL GBI has developed a robust value proposition that focuses on startups by leveraging the experience and expertise of its dynamic network. It supports entrepreneurs with a wide range of services, including setup support, market access into the government and private sectors, networking opportunities, intellectual capital access to funding, business advice, and more. For more information visit: For more information, please contact: Dimple Menezes dimple@ Shams Matin shams@ Yardstick Marketing Management PO Box - 116125, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Mid East Info
26-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Eureka! GCC 4th Edition Announces Competition Lineup: 30 Semi-Finalists to Shape the Future of Entrepreneurship
Eureka! GCC 4th Edition Announces Competition Lineup: 30 Semi-Finalists to Shape the Future of Entrepreneurship 300+ startup registrations lead to selection of Top 30 semi-finalists in 4th edition of Eureka! GCC • Finalists to compete for prizes worth $100,000 at Grand Finale, 28-29 May 2025, Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection, Dubai 26th May 2025, Dubai (UAE) – Eureka! GCC , Asia's leading business model competition, returns to Dubai this year with a bigger platform and broader ambitions to champion the Gulf's most promising startup ventures. Now in its 4th edition, Eureka! GCC is being held under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance & Coexistence, and with the attendance of H.E. Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE, further underscoring the platform's regional and diplomatic significance. Since its inaugural edition, Eureka! GCC has evolved steadily into a transformative force for early-stage businesses, fostering entrepreneurial growth and community-driven innovation across the region. The competition has drawn over 300 registrations from across the GCC and beyond, reflecting the region's rising entrepreneurial momentum. After a rigorous evaluation process, the Eureka! GCC team has shortlisted the Top 30 semi-finalists, spanning sectors from health-tech and fintech to sustainability, AI, and education technology. Standout ventures include Nema AI, developing AI-driven healthcare diagnostics; Payvista, offering next-generation fintech solutions for underserved markets; and Instawrap Technical Services, creating sustainable alternatives to traditional packaging. Participants this year represent a truly global mix, with startups from the GCC; UAE, KSA, Oman and from international markets such as India, Jordan, Turkey, the UK, and Pakistan. The semi-finalists receive an intensive Entrepreneurship Program, featuring hands-on workshops, speaker sessions led by industry leaders, and one-on-one mentorship. They also benefit from tailored guidance to sharpen their strategies and pitches ahead of the final stages. At the Elevator Pitch round in Dubai, the 30 semi-finalists present their ideas live before an audience of mentors and investors. The Top 10 finalists advance to the final phase of the competition, pitching their refined business models to a distinguished panel of jury members. The Grand Winners, including First Place, Second Place, and the Startup Nominee Award, will be announced during the Grand Finale's Gala Dinner, with a total prize pool of USD 100,000. Among the notable speakers engaged in this year's program are Trey Goede, GCC Start Up Investor/Mentor; Deepak Ahuja, CEO & Co-founder of iACCEL GBI; and Rajesh Garg, CFO of Landmark Group — all offering invaluable insights on scaling startups, fundraising strategies, and navigating the Gulf's evolving business landscape. GII's associate partners for Eureka! GCC – iACCEL GBI, Crowe UAE, Headstart, Its Her Way, Encubay, LaunchShe, Startup Middle East, Diwan Hub, Bits Pilani and Ecobee – have also been instrumental in providing mentorship, training, and investment opportunities that are shaping the region's next generation of entrepreneurs. Commenting on the 4th edition, Pankaj Gupta, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of GII and Co-Founder of Eureka! GCC, said: 'At GII, we believe that entrepreneurship is the driving force shaping the Gulf's economic and social future. Each year, we are humbled by the boldness, ingenuity, and resilience we see among our young entrepreneurs. Their ventures are solutions to real-world challenges and catalysts for lasting impact. We are proud to stand behind this movement, alongside the visionary support of Dubai's leadership and our partners across the region.' As Eureka! GCC 4th edition moves toward its grand finale, the spotlight remains firmly on the ideas and individuals reshaping the Arabian Gulf's entrepreneurial future. With an expanded focus on emerging sectors and deeper mentorship engagement, this year's competition is building a dynamic, innovation-driven ecosystem across the region, encouraged by Dubai's benevolent business-led environment. -end- About Eureka! GCC Eureka! was founded by the Entrepreneurship Cell of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, a leading worldwide technology body, and powered by GII, a leading UAE-based Shari'ah-compliant global alternative investment company with over US$3.5 billion of assets under management. Eureka! GCC aims to enable a low-risk environment to boost entrepreneurship, bridging the gap between ideas and enterprise to facilitate a seamless transition between the two. About GII GII is a leading Shari'ah-compliant global alternative investment company. With over $3.5 billion of assets under management, GII seeks to achieve superior, sustainable returns and long-term value for its investors and shareholders by investing in curated growth and income-generating opportunities. GII believes in 'innovation with a purpose' and works to build the sustainability of the ecosystem in which it operates. Under the leadership of a committed management team, supported by prominent shareholders from the Arabian Gulf region, GII deploys private capital across diverse alternative asset classes, including real estate, private equity, and venture capital. GII's client network includes UHNWIs, family offices, banks, institutions, and sovereign wealth funds in the GCC and Asia. GII is headquartered in the United Arab Emirates. Its UAE entities are regulated by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). -end-
Arabian Business
05-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai's iACCEL GBI, Ignyte partner to boost UAE startup ecosystem with global access
iACCEL Gulf Business Incubator (iACCEL GBI), a leading go-to-market accelerator launched under the patronage of Dubai SME, announced a strategic partnership with Ignyte, a leading global startup ecosystem that empowers founders, to strengthen the UAE's innovation landscape. The two will collaborate to offer an integrated pathway for high-potential startups to gain access to worldclass mentors and investor visibility, access cross-border networks, and scale across international markets, iACCEL GBI said. The collaboration will see portfolio startups from both ecosystems benefiting from increased visibility, growth support, and regional access. Startups under Ignyte will be able to leverage iACCEL GBI's core strengths in structured go-to-market acceleration and market entry, while iACCEL GBI associates will gain access to Ignyte's investor network, corporate partnerships, and more than 250 marketplace offers, the two organisations said. A phased onboarding of iACCEL GBI startups onto the Ignyte platform is currently underway and will continue in the coming weeks, the Dubai-based accelerator said. Aligned with the UAE's broader vision to establish itself as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, the partnership reinforces iACCEL GBI's commitment to building a robust startup ecosystem across the UAE and wider GCC, it added. Deepak Ahuja, Co-founder and CEO of iACCEL GBI, said the partnership with Ignyte represents a major step forward in the accelerator's mission to empower startups with the resources, global exposure, and mentorship they need to scale successfully. 'By integrating our cohorts into Ignyte's expansive ecosystem, our startups will be equipped with the tools necessary to grow both locally and internationally,' he said. Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub, said: 'At Ignyte, we are proud to partner with iACCEL GBI to empower the next generation of high-potential startups at this pivotal moment in UAE's innovation journey.' 'This synergistic partnership brings together iACCEL GBI's expertise in empowering local startups with global opportunities and Ignyte's extensive network and cross-border connections, creating the ideal launchpad for regional startups to scale in and beyond the Middle East,' he said. Over the last two years, iACCEL GBI has steadily emerged as a critical launchpad for international startups, providing tailored market-entry and expansion strategies for scaling in the Middle East. Through the partnership with Ignyte, iACCEL GBI aims to accelerate that impact by creating long-term and cross-platform value. The announcement also comes at a time when the UAE's startup landscape is experiencing extraordinary momentum. In 2024 alone, Dubai saw a 120 per cent increase in digital startups, a testament to the emirate's consistent push to attract global innovators, iACCEL GBI said. Venture capital and private equity funding in the UAE is expected to more than triple, reaching $2.5 billion in 2025 – a reflection of investor confidence and the growing appetite for scalable, tech-led ventures in the Middle East.
Khaleej Times
19-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
iACCEL GBI welcomes Dhruv Verma as strategic growth advisor to empower startups across MENA
iACCEL Gulf Business Incubator (iACCEL GBI), a leading go-to-market accelerator launched under the patronage of Dubai SME, is pleased to onboard Dhruv Verma, founder and CEO of Thriwe, as strategic growth advisor. This appointment reinforces iACCEL GBI's commitment to fostering a thriving startup ecosystem across the UAE and MENA region, by bringing in successful entrepreneurs, established thought leaders and Intellectual Capital. A visionary entrepreneur and a Tedx speaker, Verma brings extensive expertise in consumer engagement and scaling businesses across global markets. Verma is widely recognised for his success with GolfLan and his innovative, customer-centric approach to business. His proactive and growth-driven mindset has been instrumental in transforming his golf-focused venture into Thriwe, a leading loyalty and benefits platform catering to a diverse audience. Under his leadership, Thriwe has expanded its reach beyond golf and sports, offering tailored solutions across lifestyle, wellness, travel, dining, and retail. Thriwe evolved into a dynamic benefits marketplace in UAE and India, demonstrating Verma's keen adaptability and strategic vision. Thriwe has emerged as a leading platform for loyalty programmes and customer benefits, evolving from a single-market operation in India to a multinational enterprise with a presence across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the UK. This extensive, first-hand experience in navigating the complexities of global expansion positions Thriwe as a valuable mentor within the iACCEL GBI initiative. Under the leadership of Verma, the company's achievements have been widely recognised. Verma has been honoured with several prestigious accolades, including: 'The Economic Times' Most Promising Business Leader of Asia 2020-21' and 'Asia One's Most Influential Young Leader 2021-22'. As a passionate start-up enthusiast, Verma is committed to bringing valuable insights and strategic vision to iACCEL GBI. His focus will center on guiding startups to scale their businesses efficiently, offering mentorship, and unlocking new market opportunities across the region. In addition to this, Verma's contributions will extend to iACCEL GBI's Masterclass Series, which is designed to equip emerging businesses with the essential knowledge and skills needed for sustainable success. He will also play an active role in the incubator's think tank, helping shape future initiatives aimed at driving industry-wide impact and fostering innovation on a broader scale. Commenting on the appointment, Deepak Ahuja, founder and CEO of iACCEL GBI, stated: "We are thrilled to welcome Dhruv Verma to our growing network of visionary leaders. His remarkable journey in entrepreneurship and market expansion is a testament to what is possible with the right strategy and mindset. We are confident that Dhruv's expertise will be vital in empowering startups under iACCEL GBI - equipping them with the guidance and resources needed to prepare for the future and scale successfully." Anishkaa Gehani, co-founder of iACCEL GBI, added: "We are extremely delighted to have Dhruv on board as a strategic growth advisor. Scaling a business can be one of the toughest challenges for any founder and with someone like Dhruv as a part of our Leadership team gives impetus to our vision of enabling cross-border expansion for promising startups, helping them overcome challenges and unlock new market opportunities. His expertise will be pivotal in our mission to foster the vibrant start-up ecosystem of the region and not only guide our startups but also strengthen the regional ecosystem." On joining iACCEL GBI, Verma said: "Entrepreneurship is a relentless pursuit of innovation and adaptability. I strongly align with iACCEL GBI's mission to empower startups and accelerate their success. In today's fast-evolving UAE market, founders need more than just ideas — they need strategic direction, resilience, and a growth-driven mindset. I am excited to collaborate with this dynamic team to help young businesses navigate challenges, scale effectively, and contribute to building a globally connected, thriving startup ecosystem in the UAE and beyond." Founded in the UAE in 2023 under the Hamdan Incubation Program, iACCEL GBI remains dedicated to helping growth-stage startups expand into the UAE and GCC markets, leveraging Dubai as a global launchpad.
