Fifth Edition Of Academy For Women Entrepreneurs UAE Programme Concludes With Focus On Global Ambitions

The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) UAE program recently concluded its fifth edition with a closing ceremony at NYU Abu Dhabi. This event, organised by startAD and the United States Mission to the UAE, celebrated the achievements of Emirati women entrepreneurs. The program was launched during Eid Al Etihad, in collaboration with the startAD Impact Hub for Emirati Women Achievers.

United States Ambassador to the UAE, Martina Strong, attended the ceremony. She highlighted AWE's role in strengthening U.S.-UAE economic ties and expanding opportunities for American businesses. The event also showcased the impact of female-led ventures from the UAE in global markets through live demonstrations and pitches.

The AWE 5.0 x EWA Bootcamp aligned with International Women's Day's theme of 'Accelerate Action' and the UAE's Year of Community. It provided aspiring businesswomen with a platform to exhibit their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Participants engaged in workshops, training sessions, mentorship, and networking events.

NYUAD Executive Education delivered certified training, focusing on global mindset development and internationalisation strategies. NYU Stern faculty led sessions on leading cross-cultural teams and partnership models for cross-border success. This comprehensive approach aimed to equip participants with essential skills for scaling their innovations globally.

A key component of this edition was mentorship powered by Agility, a prominent logistics firm. They brought together industry experts who offered personalised coaching to entrepreneurs. This support helped Emirati Women Achievers gain knowledge, tools, and networks necessary for international success.

Over five years, AWE UAE businesses have significantly contributed to the local economy. They generated $46 million in revenue, secured $13 million in funding, and created 608 jobs. These achievements underscore the importance of empowering women entrepreneurs in driving economic growth.

Economic Impact and Future Prospects

Nihal Shaikh, Associate Director of startAD, emphasised the economic impact of Emirati women-founded SMEs valued at over USD 16 billion. "With over 128,400 Emirati women Founded SMEs valued at more than USD 16 billion operating in the UAE," Shaikh noted that these enterprises are pivotal to the UAE’s economic transformation.

Despite their success domestically, expanding internationally remains challenging for many entrepreneurs. The AWE 5 x EWA Bootcamp aims to ignite global ambitions by providing world-class training and mentorship. It prepares entrepreneurs to thrive locally while exploring opportunities as competitive players globally.

This initiative reflects a commitment to fostering an environment where Emirati women can excel both locally and internationally. By equipping them with necessary resources and networks, programs like AWE contribute significantly to shared prosperity between nations.

With inputs from WAM