Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
For the next generation of UAE entrepreneurs and business leaders, learning the trade goes beyond the four walls of the classroom. A growing number of programmes now push them to tackle real problems, meet mentors, and turn ideas into scalable ventures early on.
It is mentorship grounded in real-world insight, not textbook theory, that makes the difference when business ideas meet reality, said young Emiratis who have gone through such training.
"The biggest lesson was learning to focus on solving a real problem rather than simply building a business," said Neama Al Areefi, founder of THMR, a venture that transforms discarded date seeds into premium functional food ingredients.
Al Areefi was among the aspiring Emirati entrepreneurs who attended the Ruwad Al Ain Bootcamp.
The bootcamp, led by Khalifa Fund and powered by ADGM Academy, connects participants with mentors and industry experts while giving them hands-on experience in building scalable businesses aligned with national priorities. Along the way, they tackle challenge statements in priority sectors - AgriTech, light manufacturing, AI and cybersecurity, and culture and tourism - while learning business modelling, prototyping, pitching, and venture development.
Speaking to Aletihad, Ali Al Mehairi, Senior Executive Director of Business Enablement at ADGM Academy, said the goal is to help participants "develop the skills, confidence and practical experience required to transform innovative ideas into sustainable ventures".
"By connecting participants with industry experts, mentors and opportunities, we are helping build a pipeline of innovators and business leaders who will contribute to the UAE's future economy," he added.
After her bootcamp experience, Al Areefi went on to join the MZN Hub community. She is now exploring collaborations with universities, manufacturers, and innovation partners as THMR progresses towards implementation.
"The mentorship gave me more than business advice, it gave me direction," Al Areefi told Aletihad. "It helped transform THMR from an idea into a structured venture and connected me with the partnerships and networks needed to move forward."
A Fully Funded Graduate Programme
A similar initiative built on real-world training is Dubai Business Associates (DBA), a fully funded graduate programme that pairs academic instruction with consulting placements and leadership training across public and private sector organisations.
Over nine months, participants tackle real business challenges spanning digital transformation, sustainability, venture capital, retail, tourism and finance.
Mohamed Abdulla AlShaiba, a DBA Year 10 graduate now working in Group Internal Audit at Emirates, said the programme mirrored the UAE environment he grew up in - one "where young Emiratis are encouraged to lead, innovate and contribute at an early stage".
Following the programme, AlShaiba took on greater leadership responsibilities involving international stakeholders and global operations.
"The experience exposed me to exceptional people, real business challenges, and a global way of thinking while remaining rooted in the UAE's vision for the future," he said.
Hiba Al Tamimi, a DBA Year 6 graduate, said the programme changed how she approached problem-solving. Since she had to work through it during the COVID-19 pandemic, she gained confidence in managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects amid uncertainty.
Following the programme, she was entrusted with greater strategic responsibilities before moving from project management into leading the Strategic Projects Office at Dnata Travel Group.
"The confidence I gained during the programme and, more importantly, the trust I began to place in my own judgement, made the biggest difference," Al Tamimi told Aletihad.
The DBA experience, she said, showed how the UAE nurtures talent and supports growth by backing ambition with opportunity and access to world-class platform.
"My advice for other young entrepreneurs is: 'If you have the chance, take it, and make the most of every experience along the way'," Al Tamimi said.
