Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
As the UAE pushes to expand its non-oil economy and strengthen its startup ecosystem, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) Group is positioning capital markets as a key channel for helping companies scale through easier access to funding, investor networks and global visibility.
Speaking to Aletihad, Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group Chief Executive Officer of ADX Group, said the exchange is increasingly focused on creating a simplified pathway for startups and SMEs to access capital markets and raise funding more efficiently.
“The ADX provides a clear and simplified pathway to capital markets, making access to funding faster, more flexible, and more efficient,” Alnuaimi said.
Through the ADX Growth Market, startups and SMEs are able to raise funds via private placements under the framework introduced through Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025, which allows private companies to raise capital on-market without conducting a full IPO, he explained.
According to Alnuaimi, the regulatory shift significantly reduces time-to-market and lowers costs for companies seeking funding.
“This regulatory evolution significantly reduces time-to-market and cost barriers, making capital access faster and more flexible,” he said, adding that ADX supports companies throughout the process, from readiness to execution, while maintaining governance and investor confidence.
Alnuaimi stressed that capital markets are becoming increasingly important for startups beyond traditional venture capital funding.
“Capital markets are not simply an alternative to venture capital, they are a platform for sustained growth, liquidity, and long-term value creation,” he added.
He noted that ADX connects companies to a diversified base of institutional and international investors, allowing businesses to access larger pools of capital while benefitting from advanced market mechanisms such as book-building, digital e-IPO platforms, and pathways to global index inclusion.
“Listed companies benefit from enhanced liquidity and stronger demand. Most importantly, the listing process institutionalises governance, transparency and disclosure standards, which elevate credibility and position startups for regional and global expansion,” Alnuaimi said.
ADX, he added, also plays a broader role within Abu Dhabi’s startup ecosystem by connecting innovation with investment.
Working alongside organisations including Abu Dhabi Global Market, Hub71 and Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, the exchange supports companies across the full growth pipeline, from startup stage through to listing, Alnuaimi noted.
“Our role is to simplify access, align companies with investor expectations, and support a sector contributing over 63% of non-oil GDP,” he said.
He explained that ADX is also helping bridge what he described as both the capital gap and the structural gap for scaling businesses.
The updated regulations have simplified the conversion process from LLCs to joint stock companies, while the exchange itself provides a regulated platform enabling companies to raise funds more quickly and credibly, Alnuaimi added.
He indicated that the ADX Growth Market currently includes 15 companies, with trading values rising to nearly Dh60 billion in 2025, up from Dh1.5 billion at launch, reflecting growing investor demand.
Beyond funding, ADX is also focused on helping startups gain international exposure and investor access.
“ADX combines global visibility alongside capital access,” Alnuaimi said, noting that the exchange conducts international roadshows and investor engagement programmes to connect companies with institutional investors across key global markets.
He added that listing on ADX, one of the world’s fastest-growing exchanges by market capitalisation, strengthens credibility and international visibility for businesses looking to scale.
Alnuaimi also emphasised that the exchange’s role does not end after companies go public, as ADX works with the Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) to provide investor relations support, disclosure guidance and communication workshops for listed companies.
The exchange is additionally deploying AI-driven solutions to improve disclosure efficiency, generate market intelligence and support investor targeting.
“These capabilities enable companies to communicate with greater precision, strengthen transparency, and sustain investor demand, ensuring long-term growth and resilience in the public markets,” he said.
Alnuaimi noted that ADX continues to focus on providing efficient access to capital through both its Secondary Market and Growth Market, thus offering flexible fundraising for companies across financial sectors.
“Through our partnerships with leading index providers, we assist by supporting the inclusion in these international indices which in turn enhances visibility and credibility for the companies, attracting global capital,” he added.
