On Nov. 18th, the NYU Abu Dhabi community had the privilege to immerse themselves in the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem of the United Arab Emirates at an event organized by Violet Ventures, a student interest group (SIG) of NYUAD, in collaboration with Hub71, a tech ecosystem committed to fostering innovation. The event included a Founders Panel and Community Breakfast. This event provided a first-hand look at the region’s dynamic startup ecosystem. It brought together visionary founders from three leading startups, Enrichly, Droplinked, and Hundo. The event exemplified the university’s commitment to connecting academia with real-world opportunities, with 35 members of the NYUAD community in attendance. In addition to being a networking opportunity, the Founders Panel and Community Breakfast served as a springboard for upcoming projects, partnerships, and ideas.

Held at Hub71, located in Al Khatem Tower in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the event began with an introduction to the activities of the host organization. The participants learned about its initiatives, including funding packages for newly formed ventures, which underscores Hub71’s dedication to empowering emerging entrepreneurs and fostering a thriving start-up community. This overview paved the way for the centerpiece of the event – the Founders Panel.

During the panel, the startup leaders offered diverse perspectives on critical aspects of entrepreneurship, from achieving product-market fit and mastering fundraising strategies to building scalable, impact-driven solutions. Drawing from personal stories, the speakers vividly depicted the difficulties and successes of starting a startup. Among the featured founders was Esther O'Callaghan, Founder & CEO of Hundo, a platform that empowers schools and colleges to provide meaningful and efficient career support for every student. Ali Sammour, the person behind DropLinked, shared his experience in building seamless digital solutions that bridge the gap between e-commerce and logistics. Representing Enrichly were Margo Jordan-Baines, the CEO, and Anthony Forstner, Co-Founder and COO, who highlighted their platform’s impact on mental health and personal development, demonstrating how their offerings improve academic performance, interpersonal relationships, and physical well-being.

Each of these founders brought a wealth of knowledge to the panel, sharing not only their entrepreneurial successes but also the invaluable lessons they have learned while navigating the startup challenges in the fast-paced UAE market. A Q&A session followed, where the audience delved into topics such as scaling businesses, managing teams, and adapting to the UAE’s dynamic startup environment.

Participants gained actionable advice from the speaker’s first-hand experiences, navigating both the challenges and triumphs of startup life. The event seamlessly transitioned into the Community Breakfast, where attendees mingled with startup founders, Hub71 residents, and investors. This informal networking session offered students a chance to connect, share ideas, and explore potential collaborations. Many students expressed that meeting the founders and professionals in such a dynamic setting was inspiring and gave them a clearer perspective on their own entrepreneurial aspirations, and allowed them to meet inspiring people who might be invaluable contacts in their careers.

Such gatherings strengthen NYUAD's ties to the regional startup ecosystem and give its members significant exposure to the UAE's innovation-driven economy. By fostering collaborations like this, Violet Ventures and Hub71 empower NYUAD students to embrace the entrepreneurial mindset, equipping them with the necessary tools to shape a more innovative world. As the university strengthens its ties to the UAE’s vibrant startup ecosystem, events like this continue to solidify its reputation as a hub for forward-thinking leaders and groundbreaking innovation.