Khalifa Fund, ADGM Academy Launch New Edition of Ruwad Al Ain Bootcamp for Emirati Entrepreneurs

Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, a not-for-profit economic development fund of the Government of Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with ADGM Academy (ADGMA), the knowledge arm of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), has launched a new edition of the Ruwad Al Ain Bootcamp, a government-backed initiative aimed at equipping Emiratis in Al Ain with the skills, mentorship, and industry exposure needed to develop scalable business ventures.

It was held from June 8-12, 2026, at MZN Hub Al Ain, a space by ADGM that provides a comprehensive range of services to support entrepreneurs. The five-day program built on the success of its previous edition by strengthening participants’ engagement with Abu Dhabi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and creating opportunities within innovation-driven sectors that are expected to play a key role in Al Ain’s future economic development.

Led by Khalifa Fund and delivered in partnership with ADGM Academy, the bootcamp combined practical learning with real-world business challenges. Participants were given the opportunity to refine business ideas, strengthen their entrepreneurial mindset, and gain hands-on experience through mentorship, sector-focused challenges, and access to the broader MZN ecosystem.

This year’s program focused on four strategic sectors: agritech, light manufacturing, AI and cybersecurity, and culture and tourism. According to the organizers, the emphasis on these sectors was designed to encourage the development of solutions aligned with Al Ain’s economic identity, diversification goals, and long-term competitiveness.

While the bootcamp provided participants with practical training in areas including team building, business modelling, prototyping, and pitching, it also facilitated engagement with industry experts, mentors, and partners, enabling participants to develop solutions linked to real-world challenge statements while expanding their professional networks.

“The Ruwad Al Ain Bootcamp reflects Khalifa Fund’s commitment to supporting and empowering Emirati entrepreneurs in Al Ain by equipping them with the skills, guidance, and insights needed to build sustainable ventures capable of adapting to future challenges and opportunities,” Khalifa Saeed Al Kuwaiti, Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship Sector at Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said. “The program forms part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and foster a culture of innovation, helping transform promising ideas into ventures with lasting economic impact. By empowering national talent, we are developing the next generation of business leaders and enhancing their capacity for innovation and their ability to identify and pursue high-potential opportunities, thereby supporting the growth of Abu Dhabi’s knowledge-based economy.”

On his part, Ali Al Mehairi, Senior Executive Director of Business Enablement at ADGM Academy and Research Centre, added: “The impact of applied learning and industry collaboration is critical to empowering UAE Nationals with future-ready entrepreneurial skills. Through the Ruwad Al Ain Bootcamp, we are combining practical exposure with venture creation, mentorship, and innovation-led problem-solving skills, while connecting talented participants to the wider MZN ecosystem and long-term growth opportunities. Our overall goal remains rooted in contributing to the UAE’s innovation agenda.”

The program concluded with participants presenting their business ideas to a panel of experts. Three winning teams will receive six months of tailored one-on-one mentorship from local experts to help refine their ventures, validate customer demand, and align their businesses with priority sectors.

The winning teams will also gain access to MZN Hub Al Ain’s facilities, including meeting rooms, 3D printing labs, and a podcast studio, as well as accelerated entry into the second edition of the Khalifa Fund Entrepreneurship Competition, which highlights startups operating across Abu Dhabi’s priority sectors.