Abu dhabi: The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) has announced the launch of a specialised national programme aimed at supporting and accelerating cybersecurity startups, in collaboration with the UAE Cyber Security Council. The announcement took place during an event at MZN Hub Al Ain, attended by significant figures such as Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, and Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of KFED.
According to Emirates News Agency, the programme is established under an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KFED and the UAE Cyber Security Council. This MoU sets a framework for collaboration in entrepreneurship support, innovation fostering, and strengthening the country's cybersecurity ecosystem. The new programme, developed alongside CyberE71, aims to enhance the growth of cybersecurity-focused startups across the UAE.
The initiative seeks to attract and support startups through a comprehensive acceleration journey. This journey provides entrepreneurs with the tools to create innovative and scalable solutions within the UAE's national cybersecurity ecosystem. Participants will benefit from an integrated support framework, which offers specialized mentorship, partnership-building opportunities, and access to experts, investors, and key industry stakeholders.
The programme underscores the ongoing collaboration with the UAE Cyber Security Council and highlights the vital partnership with CyberE71. It offers access to specialized expertise and strategic partnerships essential for developing innovative solutions and enhancing competitiveness locally and globally.
Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti emphasized that cybersecurity has evolved from a technical sector to a strategic driver of the digital economy, serving as a fundamental pillar of societal security and sustainability. He remarked that the programme exemplifies collaboration among national entities to accelerate cybersecurity company growth and transform ideas into competitive businesses, thereby enhancing the UAE's digital readiness.
Mouza Al Nasri highlighted the Khalifa Fund's leadership in supporting entrepreneurs through strategic partnerships, with a focus on fostering startup growth across sectors such as cybersecurity. She noted the programme's role in advancing national economic diversification by empowering emerging businesses to expand and strengthen their presence and competitiveness in the cybersecurity sector.
The programme is anticipated to nurture a new generation of national cybersecurity companies capable of developing solutions for both local and international markets. This will contribute to reinforcing the UAE's position as a leading regional hub for advanced cybersecurity technologies and solutions.
