First international edition invites young entrepreneurs to choose Abu Dhabi as their base to build, scale, and connect with global opportunities

The Abu Dhabi Chamber’s Youth Business Council launched today the “Youth Founders Forum”, a global platform designed to attract young entrepreneurs to Abu Dhabi. The first international edition, held in Mumbai, brought together more than 50 young innovators, founders and startup owners from the Young Indians (Yi), a nationwide movement of young entrepreneurs and professionals supported by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Forum sessions in Mumbai featured direct participation from the Abu Dhabi Youth Business Council and its strategic partners, giving attendees the chance to explore concrete opportunities to establish and expand their businesses from Abu Dhabi. The Emirate has emerged as a leading destination for international investment, with a business environment ranked among the most competitive globally and underpinned by digital transformation, innovation and talent development.

The forum highlighted the key advantages that position Abu Dhabi as a hub for future oriented industries, including advanced infrastructure, dedicated free zones and 100 per cent foreign ownership, as well as a comprehensive ecosystem that supports startups by simplifying business setup and enabling them to expand across regional and international markets.

Participants in the forum included Nadia Rashid, Head of Industrial Partnerships and Engagement at the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO); Faisal Al Mansoori, Executive Director of Business Development at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM); Mohammed Al Khouri, Head of Marketing and Communications at Hub71; and Irfan Al Syed Al Hashmi, Senior Manager in the Office of the Director General at the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA).

Speakers delivered practical insights on how to empower young founders, navigate business licensing procedures, access new markets and tap into the range of support available to help startups achieve sustainable growth.

The Abu Dhabi Youth Business Council emphasised that the launch is part of its efforts to expand international partnerships and advance the youth entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Emirate, enabling young founders to enter new markets and contribute to sustainable development.

The Council also confirmed that the forum is set to become an annual platform held in select regional and international capitals, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a preferred destination for launching and scaling businesses and strengthening its role as a global hub for innovative ventures.

“The Youth Founders Forum” represents an important step toward building an international network that connects young founders with promising opportunities in Abu Dhabi,” Mansoor Abduljabbar Al Sayegh, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Youth Business Council, said: “The Emirate offers policy clarity, advanced business infrastructure, and a flexible environment that enables entrepreneurs to transform ideas into scalable ventures.”

Mr. Tarang Khurana, National Chair of Young Indians (Yi), said that “The forum serves as a new bridge linking India’s young business community with Abu Dhabi’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, paving the way for wider collaboration in innovation, technology, and high-growth ventures.”

The Abu Dhabi Youth Business Council continues to implement distinctive initiatives  aimed at strengthening the emirate’s entrepreneurial landscape. It also offers a comprehensive support ecosystem designed for entrepreneurs and the emerging generation of business owners, encompassing access to financing opportunities, business development programs, specialised training, as well as tailored advisory services and professional and commercial mentoring. These measures collectively enable young innovators to establish and scale their ventures in alignment with global best practices.

These efforts reflect the Council’s commitment to enhancing the role of youth in the national economy and empowering them to shape the future of business, in accordance with the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s strategy and the emirate’s broader ambition to build a competitive, diversified, innovative, and sustainable economy.

Council signs MOU with Young Indians platform to support entrepreneurs

The Abu Dhabi Youth Business Council has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Young Indians (Yi), a nationwide movement of young entrepreneurs and professionals supported by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), to strengthen collaboration between young entrepreneurs from both sides and facilitate the establishment and expansion of startups in the UAE and Indian markets.

The agreement was signed in the presence His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, and His Excellency Shamis Khalfan Al Dhaheri the second Vice Chairman Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  The signing ceremony was also attended by several officials from the Indian side.

The agreement was signed by Mansoor Abduljabbar Al Sayegh, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Youth Business Council and Mr. Tarang Khurana, National Chair of Young Indians (Yi), on the sidelines of the Youth Founders Forum in Mumbai.

The agreement outlines cooperation in areas such as business establishment, market entry and knowledge exchange, including training programmes, trade missions and joint initiatives. The two parties will also work together to raise awareness among entrepreneurs of the opportunities available in key sectors including technology, innovation and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Al Sayegh affirmed that the agreement “creates tangible opportunities for collaboration between young entrepreneurs in Abu Dhabi and India,” noting that the capital offers a stable policy environment that enables young founders to turn their ideas into scalable businesses.

He added that the partnership with Young Indians will broaden the network of supported founders and connect them to an integrated ecosystem of mentorship, partners and investment opportunities.The agreement “enhances the international presence of the Abu Dhabi Youth Business Council and supports Abu Dhabi’s efforts to empower young entrepreneurs,” Mr Khurana said, noting that the new relationship will provide Indian startups with a clearer pathway to entering the Abu Dhabi market and expanding into regional markets.