Today's Edition
KHALED AL KHAWALEH (ABU DHABI)
Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi-based event management and venue operator Ethara, responsible for organising the Formula One Grand Prix, launched the region's first sports and entertainment ecosystem to bolster the city’s status as a global hub.
Launched in partnership with sports investment specialists OnetoWatch, the E1H innovation hub will include incubator and accelerator programmes designed purely for sports and entertainment companies.
Guillame Dufond, Ethara’s Strategic Executive Director, told Aletihad that the launch of the new programme was happening at a time where the industry was going through an evolution. He said by taking a bet on the next generation of sports and entertainment talent, Ethara was hoping to ensure that Abu Dhabi stayed at the forefront of this evolution.
“The sports and entertainment industry is experiencing a transformation, driven by innovation, technology and new business models,” he said.
“Abu Dhabi has rapidly grown into a global hub for world-class events, and now is the time to build on that momentum by nurturing the next generation of industry-shaping businesses.”
E1H will hope to attract the most innovative global talent by offering them a variety of incentives and support to help commercialise and expand their offering. Dufond told Aletihad that while applications were broad and open to all, companies with relevance to the Ethara’s portfolio of venues and events would take precedence.
“The incubator is looking for startups that are redefining the future of sports and entertainment — whether in fan engagement, esports and gaming, content creation, health and wellness, sustainability, or venue technology,” he said.
“If a startup has the potential to shape the industry and align with Abu Dhabi’s dynamic landscape, E1H wants to help bring it to life.”
Dufond believes that the innovation hub will fit seamlessly into the capital’s overarching vision to become a top global destination for events. He said that attracting younger companies to base themselves out of the city would enhance technical capability and bring new ideas to the industry.
“To further cement the Emirate’s position in this space, we need to go beyond hosting — it’s about shaping the industry’s future,” he said.
Dufond said the E1H Incubator is designed specifically for early-stage startups — whether they’re at the idea stage or already developing their concept. He said successful applicants could expect to receive mentorship, resources, and industry access needed to turn promising ideas into viable businesses.
Applications for the six-week programme are open until February 21, with the programme set to begin on April 28.
Entrepreneurs can apply via the website at e1h.biz, where applications will be reviewed based on innovation, scalability, and industry relevance.
