Khalifa Fund unveils new strategy, MZN Hub to support entrepreneurs

The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (Khalifa Fund) has unveiled a new strategy, including the launch of a new operational model, the MZN Hub, designed to empower entrepreneurs and enhance the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The announcement was made during Abu Dhabi Business Week.

The strategy is aligned with the UAE’s broader economic vision, particularly the Falcon Economy initiative, which aims to balance advanced technological adoption with sustainability goals. It also seeks to bolster Abu Dhabi’s ambitions of becoming a smart, diversified, and circular economy by driving economic growth and innovation.

At the core of the new strategy is the MZN Hub, an AI-driven platform scheduled to be operational by 2025.

The MZN Hub will offer entrepreneurs a comprehensive suite of resources, programs, and tools to support their growth and success. This ecosystem is designed to enable startups to scale their operations, access bespoke services, and foster innovation while helping them navigate the challenges of today’s fast-evolving global market.

Khalifa Fund: Empowering SMEs and entrepreneurs

Khalifa Fund’s new initiatives are tailored to meet the dynamic needs of the UAE’s growing entrepreneurial community. This includes a revamp of its funding products, making them more adaptable to the current business landscape, and the expansion of the Khalifa Fund membership programme.

The programme will offer instant membership to targeted companies within Abu Dhabi, enabling them to quickly tap into the resources and support offered by the fund.

In addition to financial offerings, the strategy also includes the development of AI-powered platforms to assist entrepreneurs throughout their business journeys.

These platforms will provide access to valuable knowledge, alongside a wide range of capacity-building and skill development programs aimed at enhancing the capabilities of entrepreneurs and SMEs across the region.

The new strategy also places a strong emphasis on digital transformation. By embracing AI and innovative operational models, the Khalifa Fund aims to streamline the journey for SMEs and entrepreneurs, ensuring a seamless experience in accessing both financial and non-financial resources. The strategy also includes an expanded outreach, ensuring that the fund’s services extend to a broader regional and global audience.

Commitment to innovation

Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, Acting CEO of Khalifa Fund, highlighted the initiative’s alignment with the UAE’s broader vision: “Khalifa Fund’s new strategy reaffirms our unwavering commitment to fostering a vibrant and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem, aligned with the Falcon Economy’s vision of economic diversification and innovation. The launch of MZN Hub is a testament to our dedication to empowering entrepreneurs and SMEs with the high-quality services and advanced resources needed to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and thrive in today’s rapidly evolving global market.”

Al Nasri further elaborated, “This initiative is more than just an operational framework; it embodies a transformative approach rooted in innovation, resilience, and growth. Our goal is to inspire, support, and propel the next generation of pioneering businesses while contributing to solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as a global leader in entrepreneurship.

“We eagerly anticipate the groundbreaking ideas, innovative products, and transformative businesses that will emerge from MZN Hub, and the profound impact it will have on the entrepreneurial landscape.”

MZN Hub: A game changer for entrepreneurs

The MZN Hub will consist of three key components designed to provide end-to-end support for entrepreneurs:

1. MZN Venture Studios – Located across Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra, these studios will serve as a one-stop shop for priority sector startups. The facilities will offer comprehensive support through all stages of business development, from ideation and prototyping to business scaling and stabilisation. Entrepreneurs will benefit from services such as technology transfer, matchmaking, R&D commercialisation, and training, in collaboration with leading institutions such as the Department of Economic Development, Hub71, Ma’an, Abu Dhabi Global Market Academy, and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.
2. Light Manufacturing – This physical space will provide raw materials, machinery zones for production, a maker space for prototype refinement, and a testing field for idea validation. It will also feature a multipurpose space for collaboration and scaling, along with a partner-sponsored accelerator program focused on sector-specific support.
3. MZN Venture Capital – This component will address the critical funding gap in the early-stage startup ecosystem, providing vital capital for businesses to grow and thrive. MZN Venture Capital aims to strengthen the Fund’s position within the ecosystem, with an emphasis on sustainability and long-term impact.