The inaugural delegation of Access Abu Dhabi, led by entrepreneur, venture capitalist and star of Emmy award-winning television show Shark Tank, Kevin O’Leary, this week gained an insider experience of the emirate’s business opportunities. Access Abu Dhabi is a new programme created by Maven Global Access and powered by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) offering US companies a bridge to the fast-growing Middle East region by way of Abu Dhabi with a slate of tailored incentives and support.

Headed by Access Abu Dhabi ambassador O’Leary, the delegation explored business opportunities and tech intersections between industries including sports and finance. Manchester United soccer legend Patrice Evra, NBA champion Metta Sandiford-Artest and mother of NBA superstar Kevin Durant, Wanda Durant were in attendance. Actor and founder of The Black Wall Street App, Hill Harper, and actress and singer Christina Milian, delved into further tech opportunities in Abu Dhabi, while US civil rights leader Marc Morial’s participation aligns with the programme’s support for minorities.

The delegation of notable personalities visited key tourist attractions including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan and Louvre Abu Dhabi, giving them a perspective into the emirate’s advanced infrastructure, hyper connectivity and world-class lifestyle. They also met with government and business leaders from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), ADIO, Hub71 and G42 to learn about the abundant business opportunities, world-class talent pool and entrepreneurial mindset. With a combined social media following of more than 37 million, the delegates will help spread the word of the Abu Dhabi advantage among their respective communities.

Upon meeting the delegation, H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of ADDED, said: “The business opportunities in Abu Dhabi are tremendous and only set to grow, buoyed by the government’s enabling investment in innovation. Through Access Abu Dhabi, ADIO is going all out to support companies seeking expansion to the emirate. We’re ready to show the world what we have to offer and welcome businesses here to access the ever-growing advantages of doing business in Abu Dhabi.”

O’Leary left Abu Dhabi impressed, commenting: “Coming to Abu Dhabi, it’s clear to me that doing business in this nimble and accommodative environment is a breeze. The rate of progress is unique to this country. The leadership listens to what the private sector needs and acts on it, even in fast-moving sectors like FinTech. Here, you have stability and you have innovation. I see tremendous potential for Abu Dhabi to become the Switzerland of the Middle East, and for investors that’s very attractive.”

Key delegation highlights included a visit to Hub71, where O’Leary and Sandiford-Artest judged an elevator pitch contest presented by six Hub71-based startups; and a tour around G42 to learn about the company’s healthcare and space programmes.

FinTech Abu Dhabi, organised by the Abu Dhabi Global Market, was a focal point for the delegation. O’Leary and H.E. Al Shorafa kicked off the opening ceremony on 23 November with a candid conversation about how companies can access Abu Dhabi. Evra, Sandiford-Artest and Milian then spoke about the leap from one career to another in entrepreneurship, while Morial and Harper broke down the opportunities created by crypto.

Having experienced first-hand the ambition here, Evra said, “The same determination that took me to the top of my game is reflected in the resolve and boldness I see in Abu Dhabi’s business ecosystem. This is why I’m looking toward the emirate as I take the leap into entrepreneurship. I’ve always known Abu Dhabi for its diverse population and welcoming environment. Access Abu Dhabi has been a game changer. It opened my eyes to the remarkable business climate and the opportunities for growth”

The delegation comes on the back of Abu Dhabi signing a multi-year agreement to host NBA games starting 2022. On the emirate’s rapid emergence as a sports hub, Sandiford-Artest said: “The convergence of technology and sports is set to grow and everything I’ve seen here shows me that Abu Dhabi has the potential to lead the way. It has the infrastructure, both in terms of stadiums, gyms and facilities, and also strong digital capabilities. As an entrepreneur looking to bring sports, marketing, management and business to Abu Dhabi, this was a great opportunity for me to meet the movers and shakers. I’m really excited to show people what I experienced here as I continue my journey of going global.”

 

Morial shared his thoughts on the opportunities here, saying: “It’s hard to understand the pace of development and growth in Abu Dhabi unless you’ve been here. That’s why Access Abu Dhabi has been an overwhelming positive experience. From the moment we arrived, I’ve seen first-hand the business opportunities and I’m excited to share this with my community. If there’s one thing I’m taking away, it’s that Abu Dhabi is open for everyone.”

 

Access Abu Dhabi will host further delegations in the coming months to introduce more US entrepreneurs and personalities to Abu Dhabi investment and expansion opportunities.

 

Access Abu Dhabi is open to all US businesses. Interested companies can apply for the programme here: www.accessabudhabi.com


 

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