Microsoft today, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), inaugurated the first cohort of its GrowthX Accelerator program in the UAE.

“Abu Dhabi is focused on empowering startups that can create a lasting impact in the digital economy,” said H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. “As a founding partner of GrowthX Accelerator, ADIO is partnering with Microsoft to empower visionary entrepreneurs with the technology, mentoring and market access they need to get off the ground. ADIO’s work with Microsoft will accelerate innovation and boost entrepreneurship, in line with Abu Dhabi’s unwavering commitment to support the private sector.”

GrowthX - Startups

As part of a larger strategic partnership between ADIO and Microsoft, GrowthX Accelerator is designed to bridge the gap between corporates and B2B startups across the Middle East and Africa by connecting startups with large corporations. The 12-week program empowers B2B startups with the technology, mentoring and market access they need to solve the corporate partners’ unique challenges and problem statements.

“Startups are now in the driver’s seat to fulfilling their potential through the GrowthX Accelerator. It is exhilarating to facilitate an empowering experience for B2B startups to make the most of the technology, mentoring, and access to the market that this program will provide,” said Roberto Croci, Managing Director, Microsoft for Startups, MEA. “Alongside our partners, we look forward to enabling our first cohort of B2B startups to compete at the highest level, and in hopes of transforming the region into a globally leading hub for technology and entrepreneurship.”

The first cohort consists of 15 startups that will hit the ground running, offering breakthrough solutions that meet corporate clients’ challenges and requirements. These include:

• Spitch - a global provider of B2B and B2C Conversational AI solutions.

• Gener8 - enables users to control and be rewarded from their own data.

• Poltio - helps the world’s top brands engage and learn from their users with interactive content.

• Getbee – an ecommerce platform that engages with customers on a more human and immersive level.

• OPLOG - a pioneer in e-logistics, simplifying the cost, time and resources for supply chain operations.

• Fero - shaping the future of digital freight with technology to automate the logistics industry,

• Urbantz - a SaaS solution to transform last mile delivery and logistics across industries.

• Barakatech - delivers super-app platforms, blockchain solutions, and next-gen FinTech microservices.

• Hi55 - a digital payroll scheme to empower individuals and businesses with cashflow.

• Nym Card - provides dynamic and secure building blocks for building fast and easy card programs.

• Artiwise - an AI and NLP startup that provides cloud-based analytics solutions to enterprises.

• B2Brain - delivers tailored analytics to automate research and intelligence to improve conversations.

• Alpha Sense – an intelligence platform that helps businesses make data-driven decisions.

• NexDegree - enables brick & mortar retail stores to improve customer experience and sales.

• Udentify - reduces the need for manmade market research, utilizing body tracking technologies.

Microsoft for Startups is working with Etihad Airways, Unilever, Flow, Akbank, KPMG and IKEA in the first cohort as Corporate Engagement Partners. B2B startups will work with these partners directly for the duration of the program, to ultimately co-create technology solutions that address the corporate partners’ challenges.

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft opened its Dubai-based headquarters in 1991, which, today, oversees operations across the region.