Emirates NBD announces fourth cohort of National Digital Talent Incubator (NDTI)® program, empowering the next wave of Emirati FinTech leaders
In the UAE, the FinTech sector currently contributes 8.7% to the UAE's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The six-to-eight week incubator program is designed to empower promising Emirati FinTech leaders by providing them with the resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities needed to scale their pioneering ventures. The program drives the UAE's digital transformation agenda by boosting the country's talent and the growth of entrepreneurship within the FinTech space.
The fourth cohort features a diverse group of startups addressing key sectors. These include QuickPay, a digital platform accelerating invoice payments in real estate; Carbon2Capital, an AI-powered platform enabling businesses to track, reduce, and offset carbon emissions; Jadwelny, an AI-powered travel platform personalising and automating trip planning; and Watermelon LTD, a comprehensive F&B ecosystem connecting manufacturers, farmers and F&B outlets.
Building on the success of previous cohorts, the program will undergo several key enhancements. Startups will have the opportunity to have tailored interactions with decision-makers, meet individually with senior Emirates NBD stakeholders relevant to their industry sectors, and engage in more meaningful discussions with mentors during dedicated Immersion Days with partners, and through Emirates NBD's Decision Makers Series, where founders can connect with Senior Leaders from the Group. FinTech founders will also network with industry leaders and renowned SMEs, while receiving guidance on venture capitalist pitching.
Lastly, FinTech leaders will enjoy an international trip to London in June 2025, allowing them to tap into a vibrant ecosystem, learn from the FinTech landscape, and build connections and confidence to scale their business globally.
Ahmed Al Qassim, Group Head of Wholesale Banking, Emirates NBD, said: 'Emirates NBD is proud to welcome the fourth cohort of the National Digital Talent Incubator Program. Solidifying our commitment to supporting the UAE's vision for a thriving digital economy, the program creates opportunities for FinTech startups to flourish and contribute to the investment environment within the UAE. By providing these talented entrepreneurs with access to the mentorship, networking, and investment, we are helping them build innovative solutions that will positively impact the industry and economy.'
Mohammad Alblooshi, Chief Executive Officer, the DIFC Innovation Hub, said: 'Empowering the next generation of Emirati FinTech talent is essential to shaping a future-ready digital-driven economy. At DIFC Innovation Hub, we are proud to support initiatives like the National Digital Talent Incubator that align with our mission to nurture high-potential founders and accelerate the growth of homegrown ventures. By collaborating with Emirates NBD and other leading partners, we are creating a thriving ecosystem where Emirati entrepreneurs can access the tools, mentorship, and global exposure they need to lead the next wave of FinTech innovation from Dubai to the world.'
The NDTI program reflects Emirates NBD's ongoing commitment to innovation and its role as a key enabler of the UAE's digital future. By supporting the next generation of Emirati FinTech founders, Emirates NBD is contributing to a more diversified, knowledge-based economy.
About Emirates NBD:
Emirates NBD (DFM: Emirates NBD) is a leading banking group in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye) region with a presence in 13 countries, serving over 9 million active customers. As at 31st March 2025, total assets were AED 1 trillion, (equivalent to approx. USD 272 billion). The Group has operations in the UAE, Egypt, India, Türkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Russia and Bahrain and representative offices in China and Indonesia with a total of 839 branches and 4,539 ATMs / SDMs. Emirates NBD is the leading financial services brand in the UAE with a Brand value of USD 4.54 billion.
Emirates NBD Group serves its customers (individuals, businesses, governments, and institutions) and helps them realise their financial objectives through a range of banking products and services including retail banking, corporate and institutional banking, Islamic banking, investment banking, private banking, asset management, global markets and treasury, and brokerage operations. The Group is a key participant in the global digital banking industry with 97% of all financial transactions and requests conducted outside of its branches. The Group also operates Liv, the lifestyle digital bank by Emirates NBD, with close to half a million users, it continues to be the fastest-growing bank in the region.
Emirates NBD contributes to the construction of a sustainable future as an active participant and supporter of the UAE's main development and sustainability initiatives, including financial wellness and the inclusion of people of determination. Emirates NBD is committed to supporting the UAE's Year of Sustainability as Principal Banking Partner of COP28 and an early supporter to the Dubai Can sustainability initiative, a city-wide initiative aimed to reduce use of single-use plastic bottled water.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mid East Info
2 days ago
- Mid East Info
Dubai Culture and Dubai Racing Club Seal Strategic Partnership to Promote Emirati Heritage - Middle East Business News and Information
Agreement enhances Dubai World Cup's role as a platform for national traditions Dubai, United Arab Emirates –July 2025: Dubai Culture and Arts Authority Dubai Culture has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai Racing Club (DRC) to deepen cooperation in the fields of culture and local identity. Through this partnership, both organisations will develop innovative programming and experiences that highlight Emirati customs, enriching the Dubai World Cup with authentic engagement. This MoU underscores a shared commitment to championing the values and traditions of the UAE internationally. It also supports Dubai's broader strategy of fostering collaboration among local entities, aligning with the emirate's strategic objectives. The agreement was signed by Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, and Ali Abdulrahman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of Dubai Racing Club. It outlines a framework for joint action that includes sharing expertise, exchanging best practices, and co-developing initiatives to promote tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage. Hala Badri affirmed that the Memorandum of Understanding is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, and his ongoing commitment to promoting the nation's cultural values and local heritage on the global stage. She emphasised that the MoU demonstrates His Highness's dedication to fostering greater coordination among local entities and institutions, helping to solidify Dubai's reputation as a forward-looking city. Speaking about the partnership with Dubai Racing Club, she added: 'This collaboration will help strengthen the cultural and creative industries in the emirate. We aim to create new opportunities for talent, encouraging them to showcase their work to international audiences and visitors to the Dubai World Cup. This fully supports the Authority's mission and sectoral priorities to safeguard both tangible and intangible heritage for future generations, through a series of distinctive initiatives and experiences.' Badri pointed out that the MoU will create fresh opportunities for talent to present their work on the world stage, while bolstering the cultural and creative industries. She added that the partnership with the DRC aligns with the Authority's commitments and sectoral priorities, which focus on safeguarding both tangible and intangible heritage for future generations. Ali Al Ali, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Racing Club, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, noting that it reflects DRC's vision to blend culture and sport on a global level. 'Working with Dubai Culture marks a strategic step forward in enhancing the Dubai World Cup and the horse racing experience at Meydan Racecourse,' he said. 'By showcasing the UAE's rich heritage to the diverse audience that attends this prestigious event each year, we aim to focus on more than just the sport, celebrating national identity and honouring the deep-rooted traditions of the Emirates.' He said that since its inaugural running in 1996, and under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai World Cup has become one of the most distinguished horse racing events. 'It has evolved into a space where cultures converge, talent is celebrated, and the enduring spirit of equestrian heritage is showcased. This reinforces Dubai's standing as an international hub for cultural dialogue and sporting excellence. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Dubai World Cup in 2026, this partnership reaffirms our commitment to preserving the UAE's legacy and elevating its global presence through a platform that unites authenticity with innovation,' he added.
Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Mid East Info
Emirates NBD Signs UN Women's Empowerment Principles, Reinforcing Commitment to Women's Leadership - Middle East Business News and Information
Dubai, UAE,July 2025: Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye (MENAT) region, has officially signed the United Nations Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) further affirming its commitment to advancing female empowerment and leadership. Emirates NBD's long-term goal is to ensure that 25% of all leadership positions are held by women by 2027. This pledge follows a series of strategic initiatives that aim at accelerating gender equality while maintaining global standards for female representation across its workforce. Shayne Nelson, Group CEO at Emirates NBD, said: 'Signing the UN Women's Empowerment Principles provides further momentum to the impressive efforts we have undertaken here at Emirates NBD to champion women in the workplace. Empowering women at every level of Emirates NBD is something we are deeply committed to. Looking forward, we will continue to accelerate our action to increase female leadership, achieve gender equality at all levels and encourage more women to pursue careers in banking.' Dr. Mouza Al Shehhi, Director of the UN Women GCC Liaison Office, commented: 'We are delighted to welcome Emirates NBD as a signatory to the Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs). This commitment reflects the Bank's dedication to advancing gender equality and fostering an inclusive workplace culture. Importantly, it mirrors a strong shift nationwide toward embedding gender parity within its national development agenda. As the UAE accelerates its journey towards a knowledge-based and sustainable economy, empowering women across all sectors is not just a social imperative, it is a strategic enabler of innovation, resilience, and long-term prosperity. We look forward to supporting Emirates NBD in implementing the WEPs framework and continuing its journey towards empowering women across all levels of the organisation.' Eman Abdulrazzaq, Group Chief Operating Officer and Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Emirates NBD, said: 'By signing the UN Women's Empowerment Principles, we demonstrate our dedication to advancing gender equality, particularly our goal of ensuring that 25% of leadership roles are held by women by 2027. Our initiatives, including an expanded maternity policy, flexible working arrangements, and the Career Comeback Programme, are designed to create an inclusive environment where women can thrive and reach their full potential. We are already seeing positive outcomes, with women representing over 40% of our global workforce. This exceeds global benchmarks, and we will continue to invest in initiatives that foster female leadership.' Vijay Bains, Chief Sustainability Officer and Group Head of ESG at Emirates NBD, commented: 'Women represent half of the world population and investing in their empowerment plays a huge role in advancing gender equality and inclusive economic growth. As a key participant in the economic ecosystem, banks have immense influence in making a change towards women empowerment. At Emirates NBD, we are proud to act as an agent that enables employment and share of voice of women in the community. We strongly believe that when women have access to resources and opportunities, they can positively influence societal development.' To support female empowerment and leadership, Emirates NBD has introduced a variety of pioneering initiatives, including: • Expanding its maternity policy and introducing paternity and adoption leave • Offering flexible work options, allowing employees to work remotely within the UAE • Launching the Career Comeback Programme, facilitating the reintegration of women returning to the workforce after a career break • Providing targeted training and leadership development opportunities for women, alongside bank-wide training on unconscious bias • Signing global initiatives such as the UAE Gender Balance Pledge in 2023 and integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality into our sustainability strategy • Implementing female-focused facilities across our offices including dedicated parking, breastfeeding areas, and women's social networking programmes These initiatives not only underscore Emirates NBD's leadership in promoting female empowerment but also set the foundation for continued progress toward achieving its gender equality objectives. The WEPs offer guidance to businesses on advancing gender equality and empowering women in the workplace, marketplace, and community. Developed by UN Women and the UN Global Compact, the WEPs are aligned with international labor and human rights standards and emphasise the role businesses play in fostering gender equality. By joining the WEPs, Emirates NBD reaffirms its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, working collaboratively with other stakeholders to promote business practices that empower women. About Emirates NBD: Emirates NBD (DFM: Emirates NBD) is a leading banking group in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye) region with a presence in 13 countries, serving over 9 million active customers. As at 31st March 2025, total assets were AED 1 trillion, (equivalent to approx. USD 272 billion). The Group has operations in the UAE, Egypt, India, Türkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Russia and Bahrain and representative offices in China and Indonesia with a total of 839 branches and 4,539 ATMs / SDMs. Emirates NBD is the leading financial services brand in the UAE with a Brand value of USD 4.54 billion. Emirates NBD Group serves its customers (individuals, businesses, governments, and institutions) and helps them realise their financial objectives through a range of banking products and services including retail banking, corporate and institutional banking, Islamic banking, investment banking, private banking, asset management, global markets and treasury, and brokerage operations. The Group is a key participant in the global digital banking industry with 97% of all financial transactions and requests conducted outside of its branches. The Group also operates Liv, the lifestyle digital bank by Emirates NBD, with close to half a million users, it continues to be the fastest-growing bank in the region. Emirates NBD contributes to the construction of a sustainable future as an active participant and supporter of the UAE's main development and sustainability initiatives, including financial wellness and the inclusion of people of determination. Emirates NBD is committed to supporting the UAE's Year of Sustainability as Principal Banking Partner of COP28 and an early supporter to the Dubai Can sustainability initiative, a city-wide initiative aimed to reduce use of single-use plastic bottled water.
bnok24
5 days ago
- bnok24
Lime Consumer Finance Joins Egypt's FinTech Ecosystem with a Seamless Education-Centric App
the largest platform for education financing in Egypt and a wholly owned entity of First Abu Dhabi Bank Group in the UAE, has officially launched in the fintech ecosystem, with a specialised focus on educational financing as its first strategic entry point Licensed by Egypt's Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), Lime offers structured, transparent, and accessible solutions for families in Egypt. While education marks the beginning, Lime's app is designed to expand into other essential life sectors, paving the way for broader financial empowerment Lime enables families to plan and pay for education across a holistic network of nurseries, schools, and universities. With over 30% of Egypt's population under the age of 15 (CAPMAS, 2025), education finance has become a natural priority. The app features installment options ranging from 6 to 12 months for amounts up to EGP 1 million, with digital onboarding and financing approvals granted within minutes, ensuring speed, convenience, and regulatory compliance Mr. Ahmed Mohsen, CEO and Managing Director of Lime Consumer Finance, stated: 'With an initial investment of USD 9.4 million, Lime enters the market at a time when Egypt is witnessing a parallel surge in private education demand and digital financial inclusion—fueled by a young population and supportive national policies He added: 'We're proud to be contributing to Egypt's Financial Inclusion Strategy by addressing a real need. Lime fills a critical gap by offering structured, transparent, and accessible financing solutions—and this is just the beginning. With a strong investment in technology, we aim to deliver a unique digital journey for customers, with approvals granted in minutes using a state-of-the-art credit decision engine On the expertise front, Lime's Board of Trustees brings together multidisciplinary expertise across key sectors essential to the company's mission: Ms. Mariam El Samny, Head of Consumer Banking at FABMISR; Mr. Refaat Zayed, Head of Retail Credit at FABMISR; Mr. Abdallah El Ebiary, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal's Sovereign Advisory Services; Mr. Mohamed El Kalla, CEO of CIRA Education; Ms. Magda Habib, CEO and Founder of Dawi Clinics and Mr. Omar Bassiouny, Founding Partner at Matouk Bassiouny and Group Head of Corporate and M&A Backed by the strength and experience of First Abu Dhabi Bank Group and guided by a multidisciplinary board, Lime is committed to driving financial inclusion and sustainable impact across Egypt's evolving fintech landscape. Education is Lime's starting point, but the app is designed for future expansion into other high-impact sectors Google News تابعونا على تابعونا على تطبيق نبض
