GrowthX is an accelerator program focused on supporting the growth of B2B tech startups. Like the Google for Startups accelerator, the 10-week virtual program is primarily geared towards growth-stage companies (seed to Series A, post-product-market fit).
The World Bank’s Doing Business 2020 Index ranks the United Arab Emirates 16th out of 190 nations, and its ‘Ease of Doing Business Subnational Report 2020’ has placed the Emirate of Abu Dhabi 12th globally.
Microsoft for Startups GrowthX Accelerator will empower B2B startups across the region by providing access to Microsoft’s ecosystem of customers and partners and by leveraging the benefits that Abu Dhabi offers technology companies. The program engenders connections and brings innovators together to learn, grow, become investor-ready, and better engage corporates in the region through intense community engagement.
“Startups are essential to any economy, they catalyze innovation and new technologies that drive tremendous impact for all,” said H.E. Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, director general of ADIO. “Abu Dhabi is focused on creating a nurturing environment for startups and acting as a launchpad for them to bring fresh ideas to life here, make the most of opportunities across the region and scale globally. As the founding partner of the GrowthX Accelerator, we are excited to work with Microsoft to unlock Abu Dhabi and the region’s rich economic potential and empower these homegrown innovators with the tools they need in order to succeed in the new digital economy.”
The program focuses on enterprise sales readiness and technical readiness for scale. This program also provides startups with the necessary business enablers required to successfully build and operate a business in the UAE in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). It remains to be seen which Pakistani startups take part, with the most obvious choices cited as the top eCommerce enablement platforms in Pakistan.
Applications are welcome from startups across the Middle East, Turkey, and Pakistan looking to scale their operations to Abu Dhabi. Cohort 3 of the GrowthX program will run between Sept. 26 through Dec. 9, 2022. As part of Microsoft’s five-year strategic partnership with ADIO, the latest presentation during the Highway to 100 Unicorns virtual conference will feature Bykea co-founder Muneeb Maayr.
