Dubai Future District Fund

Congratulations to our direct investment portfolio company, NymCard, on successfully closing their latest funding round! We’re excited to see them continue advancing payments infrastructure in the region and look forward to their next phase of growth.

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting an iftar gathering with our valued Fund of Funds investors and partners. It was a meaningful evening of connection and reflection, bringing together members of the venture capital community in the UAE to celebrate the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan. We're grateful for everyone who joined us and look forward to continuing our shared journey of fostering innovation and growth in the region. #Ramadan #Iftar #DubaiVC #DFDF #Community #FutureOfFinance #FutureEconomies

The UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for the future economy was on full display at the Future 100 Forum, a gathering of policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs committed to shaping the nation’s economic future. Hosted as part of Investopia 2025, the event provided a platform for thought leadership, collaboration, and investment into the next generation of high-impact ventures. At the event, our Principal, Tiffany Bain, was joined by Walid Mansour, CEO at Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), and Julien Plouzeau, Senior Partner at Oraseya Capital, for a panel conversation moderated by Aalia Mehreen Ahmed, Features Editor at Entrepreneur Middle East, titled “Investing in Tomorrow: Unlocking the UAE’s New Economy Potential.” In our latest publication, we summarize the key takeaways of the panel: 1. How investors identify high-potential startups 2. The role of capital in scaling innovation 3. Key sectors driving the UAE’s new economy You can read the full article here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dQQY7TGb #Investopia2025 #Investopia #Future100 Ministry Of Economy, UAE

Nader AlBastaki – Venture Capital Leader | Strategist | Entrepreneur A global citizen with a deep appreciation for cultural diversity, Nader AlBastaki has traveled to 138 countries and studied across three continents, shaping his unique worldview and strategic mindset. With a career spanning finance, strategy, and venture capital, he has played a pivotal role in driving innovation, investment, and public-private collaboration in the UAE. As Managing Director of the Dubai Future District Fund, Nader leads portfolio development, fundraising, and strategic initiatives to foster Dubai’s innovation ecosystem. His previous roles at Dubai Future Foundation and Dubai Tourism saw him spearheading corporate strategy, advanced analytics, and business intelligence, directly influencing key economic and policy initiatives. Nader’s entrepreneurial spirit is evident in his involvement with multiple startups, where he has successfully achieved exits and mentored founders through platforms such as Intelak Incubator, Keiretsu Forum, and NYU Abu Dhabi. His investment expertise and commitment to ecosystem-building extend to his role as an Investment Committee Member, shaping venture capital strategies in the region. With a background in corporate and investment banking at HSBC, Nader combines financial acumen with a forward-thinking approach to economic development. His passion for bridging the gap between government, startups, and investors drives his mission to shape Dubai into a global innovation hub. 📩 Connect with Nader AlBastaki to explore opportunities in venture capital, startup growth, and strategic investments. Want to be featured and inspire others? Share your profile with us on WhatsApp at https://wa.link/mqo21s +966561248379 or email us at thearabicons@gmail.com. Let's share your Journey to Lead, Shine & Inspire. #thearabicons #ARABICON #arabmagazine #icon #facebookpost #instapost #linkedinmarketing

As the holy month begins, we extend our warmest wishes to our community. May this Ramadan be filled with peace, reflection, and togetherness. Wishing you a blessed and peaceful month. #RamadanKareem #Blessings #PeacefulRamadan

At the recent Future 100 Forum, our principal, Tiffany Bain, joined a panel conversation to discuss how investors identify high-potential startups, the role of capital in scaling innovation, and the sectors driving the UAE’s new economy.

Celebrating our Future 100 winners — A huge congratulations to our portfolio companies for being recognized by Ministry Of Economy, UAE, and Investopia among the UAE’s most promising startups: NymCard Camb.ai Wellx Zest Equity MoneyHash Valeo Health ME At DFDF, we’re proud to support visionary founders, alongside our funds, who are shaping the future of the UAE. #Future100 #DFDF #Innovation #VentureCapital

Dubai Chambers sponsored an exclusive roundtable at the World Governments Summit in Dubai on 11 February 2025, bringing together leaders of multigenerational family businesses to discuss two defining forces shaping the future: artificial intelligence (AI) and succession planning. Family businesses are integral to global economies, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, where they collectively hold trillions of dollars in assets and drive local economic activity. However, they are now facing a critical inflection point: how can they leverage AI to remain competitive while preserving their legacy across generations? This roundtable discussion explored the role of AI in investment strategy, supply chain management, and workforce transformation, as well as the challenges of succession in an era of rapid technological change. https://lnkd.in/dpYV8w7f #worldogovernmentssummit

The Middle East’s venture capital ecosystem has undergone a shift over the past five years. Once characterized by capital outflows to global markets, today, the region has become a magnet for investment, talent, and innovation. Government-backed fund of funds have played a crucial role in shaping this transformation, deploying capital into both funds and startups to foster long-term economic growth. This evolution was the focus of a panel discussion at the Middle East Venture Capital Association (MEVCA) Investors Summit, held on 30 January 2025 at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), UAE. The discussion brought together industry leaders to talk about their observations over the past five years. Osamah Alamri, Chief Business Development Officer at SVC, and Faris Sohail Al Mazrui, Head of Ventures & Growth at Mubadala, joined our MD Nader AlBastaki for a panel discussion moderated by Noor Sweid, Founder & Managing Partner at Global Ventures. Read the complete insights from the panel discussion in our latest publication: https://lnkd.in/dWJT4u-f

In our latest Oversight Committee meeting, we reviewed our 29 strategic investments across funds and startups to date—reinforcing our role in shaping Dubai’s future as a global technology and innovation hub. Our mission supports key government-led initiatives, fostering a thriving ecosystem for VCs, entrepreneurs, and tech talent. With the backing of our anchor investors, DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION and DIFC we remain committed to building a sustainable, future-ready economy through venture capital and innovation. https://lnkd.in/d7fFVX-8 #DFDF #DubaiD33 #VentureCapital #Innovation #FutureEconomies #DubaiTech