No two days are the same in the technology world, but founders of start-ups are comfortable with that. It is a fundamental reason most founders are entrepreneurs. They embrace change and are energised by the possibilities it creates.
In my experience working with venture capitalists, technology experts and entrepreneurs, it is being a master of your own destiny that drives many of the people at the heart of our ecosystem. This is also a lesson for today’s younger generation, who are entering an era of fast-paced change. Creating your own enterprise comes with its own unique challenges, opportunities and risks, but ultimately you are the orchestrator of your own future.
Resilience enables founders to take constructive feedback and positively react to rejection. It is rooted in a belief and desire to shape the world in the way their vision dictates. This is inspiring and crucial to dealing with widespread change.
Abu Dhabi is a global melting pot of more than 200 nationalities. Everyone who took different paths here for a myriad of reasons have adopted change – some want a better life for their children, the opportunity to scale their businesses, or be on the doorstep of some of the world’s most lucrative growth markets. This shared sense of community, like-mindedness and ambition is reflected in Abu Dhabi’s tech ecosystem.
When Hub71 launched in March 2019, we had no start-ups onboard, but partnership was a key value that defined us. Today, with 50-plus start-ups from countries including Brazil, the US and the UK, partnership continues to drive our expansion.
The acute impact of Covid-19 globally has propelled a shift in mindset. Digital transformation, new business models and new skills have become part of our everyday experience as the pandemic has accelerated the rate of change. It has become survival of the most agile. Nimble start-ups have the advantage over established businesses to rapidly pivot and meet changing demand. Fortunately, the UAE was ranked highest in the GCC, and above the UK and Australia, for its "tech preparedness" and digital competitiveness. Additionally, over the past 18-24 months, we have built a holistic ecosystem that supports notable innovative tech companies including BitOasis, Teacherly, Incountry and Hala Insurance.
Start-ups have proven they are uniquely placed to be agile and a source of innovation that business and government needs. They are playing a greater role in helping people deal with acute change by upskilling, reskilling and rethinking their careers. As such, Abu Dhabi has become front of mind for entrepreneurs as it has the key ingredients to support people with transforming their start-up ideas into reality, sharing a dynamic community with like-minded tech enthusiasts.
There are certainly ways Abu Dhabi’s foresight and investment into this burgeoning tech ecosystem has benefited from the shift caused by Covid-19. Abu Dhabi has arrived on the global tech scene at the right time, building on the existing momentum from other public and private sector entities across the Emirate to establish ourselves as a global tech player.
More importantly, the pandemic also highlighted that we are intricately connected in more ways than we can imagine. The success of tech start-ups, VCs and entrepreneurs will be the success of our entire future economy with SMEs making up 52 per cent of non-oil GDP, according to the UAE Ministry of Economy. Having more tech SMEs and start-ups in the mix will only future-proof our economy even further.
If the past few months have taught us anything, it is that we must reflect on the past, reset our goals and reassess our purpose and what we think we know about the world.
Technology helps us move beyond the traditional model of work and business. Those that adapt to new paradigms and quickly adopt new technologies stand a better chance of surviving unexpected shocks. Those that fail will quickly find themselves being outpaced by smarter, agile and more technology-driven businesses.
Organisations in general must accept change and should continuously evolve because of it.
We are in one of the most diverse regions in the world, which should be capitalised on by bringing diversity of thought to business strategies. Rethinking traditional policies that may hinder your company’s ability to grow and innovate requires outside-of-the-box thinking and unorthodox methodologies. To attract creative thinkers, you need to welcome new ideas and take bold risks to make an impact.
Ultimately, the power of partnership and connection between organisations is one of the main drivers behind Hub71. When you put motivated people together who are eager to solve problems and adapt to change, amazing things can happen.
It shouldn’t take a global pandemic to realise what’s important in business and life alike – human connections and communities built on merit and aligned values, alongside a willingness to see challenges as opportunities, are what it takes to deal with change like a champion.
This is our DNA and a force for good that is deeply rooted across Abu Dhabi. It’s my hope that this culture and ambition is cultivated throughout the emirate to ensure a sustainable and future-proof economy.
Hanan Harhara Al Yafei is chief executive of Hub71
Honeymoonish
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The cost of Covid testing around the world
Egypt
Dh514 for citizens; Dh865 for tourists
Information can be found through VFS Global.
Jordan
Dh212
Centres include the Speciality Hospital, which now offers drive-through testing.
Cambodia
Dh478
Travel tests are managed by the Ministry of Health and National Institute of Public Health.
Zanzibar
AED 295
Zanzibar Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, located within the Lumumba Secondary School compound.
Abu Dhabi
Dh85
Abu Dhabi’s Seha has test centres throughout the UAE.
UK
From Dh400
Heathrow Airport now offers drive through and clinic-based testing, starting from Dh400 and up to Dh500 for the PCR test.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Liverpool v Manchester United - 3.30pm
Burnley v West Ham United - 6pm
Crystal Palace v Chelsea - 6pm
Manchester City v Stoke City - 6pm
Swansea City v Huddersfield Town - 6pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Bournemouth - 6pm
Watford v Arsenal - 8.30pm
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Everton - 4.30pm
Southampton v Newcastle United - 7pm
Monday
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion - 11pm
SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
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Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
england euro squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
FA CUP FINAL
Chelsea 1
Hazard (22' pen)
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
India squad
Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, K.L. Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur.
