# startAD

startAD is a Private Equity based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Private Equity
- **Headquarters:** Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- **Region:** Middle East
- **Address:** New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island Campus, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- **Founded:** 2016
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** startad.ae
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/startad

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

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.

## Sectors

- FinTech
- Enterprise Software
- Media & Entertainment
- Real Estate
- ClimateTech

## People

- 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

## 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.

## Related profiles

- [Starshot Capital](https://altss.com/profile/starshot-capital)
- [Starta Ventures](https://altss.com/profile/starta-ventures)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/startad

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