Updated:
startAD
startAD collaborates with governments, corporations, startups, investors, and innovation entities to drive the UAE's knowledge-based economy.
startAD
startAD collaborates with governments, corporations, startups, investors, and innovation entities to drive the UAE's knowledge-based economy. The organization has made 8 investments, including a June 20, 2025, investment in Pioneera Biosciences through their Incubator/Accelerator - II.
General information
Firm type
Private Equity
Year founded
2016
Location
Region
Middle East
Country
United Arab Emirates
City
Abu Dhabi
Corporate office
New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island Campus, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Principals
Ramesh Jagannathan
Board Advisor
Ashwin Joshi
Director
Nihal Shaikh
Associate Director
Hana Barakat
Senior Associate Director
Rami Aljundi
Assistant Director - Innovation Programs
Sabira Huda
Innovation Programs Lead
Dominique Chatfield
Innovation Programs Lead
Koel Banerjee
Marketing & Communications Manager
Aneesha Mamtora
Business Support Manager
Fatima Alyafei
Program Coordinator
Mouza Aldhaheri
Program Coordinator
Qamar Rabah
Program Coordinator
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Is startAD a venture capital fund or an accelerator?
It operates as an accelerator and innovation platform, not a discretionary venture capital fund. startAD designs and runs entrepreneurship programs — often co-created with UAE government departments and corporations — that provide startups with training, mentorship, and pilot opportunities. Its structure is anchored within NYU Abu Dhabi and supported by Tamkeen, a UAE entity, rather than by limited partner commitments.
Who runs investment decisions at startAD?
Director Ashwin Joshi leads the organization, with Senior Associate Director Hana Barakat and Associate Director Nihal Shaikh in senior program roles. Because startAD does not appear to operate a pooled investment fund, program selection and corporate-partner alignment substitute for traditional investment committee decisions. A Board Advisor, Ramesh Jagannathan, is also listed on the team page.
How is startAD related to NYU Abu Dhabi?
startAD is physically anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island campus, operating out of startAD Central and the Al Warsha makerspace. It is presented as part of the university's entrepreneurship and innovation infrastructure, with the flagship NYUAD Entrepreneurship Incubator Program run by startAD. The relationship blends academic hosting with an outward-facing national economic mandate.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on private equity firms?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: