startAD, an Abu Dhabi-based startup accelerator powered by Tamkeen and anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), and VentureSouq, a MENA-based venture capital firm, have announced the 8th annual Angel Rising Investor Education Symposium, will take place from 5-7 December 2023, during COP28, under the theme ClimateTech for Change.
Organised in partnership with The US Mission to the UAE and The Catalyst, the event aligns with the UAE’s net-zero by 2050 strategic initiative, offering investor-focused education sessions centred around the climate tech sector, across three programmes.
The Angel Rising Roundtable with UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators, will take place on Wednesday 6 December 2023 at the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators Pavilion at the COP28 Green Zone, featuring discussions exploring how the UAE can build a climate-resilient economy and the role climate tech startups can play, showcasing local case studies with innovators demonstrating how their cutting-edge technologies address climate issues.
The Angel Rising Roundtable with the US Mission to the UAE will take place on Tuesday 5 December 2023, focused on the climate tech sector, uncovering trends and priorities of channeling investments into early-stage climate techs startups.
Finally, the Angel Rising Symposium will be held on Thursday 7 December 2023 at the Climate Action Innovation Zone at Madinat Jumeirah Conference Centre, sharing insights from global experts exploring the theme of ClimateTech for Change, highlighting the need to take action and catalyse technology adoption through startups to support the aims of the 2050 vision and combat climate change.
Ramesh Jagannathan, Managing Director of startAD said: “An annual collaboration between startAD and VentureSouq, Angel Rising has seen tremendous traction in voicing change through impact and conscious investments. This year, with COP28 being held in the UAE, it marks a pivotal moment in our global commitment to combat climate change.
“Investing in ClimateTech startups is not just a financial opportunity, it's an investment in our shared future and a crucial step in combating climate change, as these ventures often bring disruptive and transformative technologies to market, making it possible to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to a changing climate. According to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency, global investments in energy transition technology must quadruple to AED128tn ($35tn) by 2030 to stay in line with commitments made under the Paris climate agreement. We believe in these innovators as they hold the keys to a sustainable world, unlocking solutions to the pressing challenges of climate change. Supporting them is a moral imperative, ensuring that our planet and our prosperity thrive in harmony for generations to come.”
John Tate, CEO of Tamkeen, the Abu Dhabi company that cofounded and backs startAD, said: “Angel Rising has a track-record of attracting investment to help tackle serious global challenges through entrepreneurship. This year is no exception and, as the UAE hosts COP28, Angel Rising will address the role ClimateTech startups can play in developing cutting-edge solutions to promote both sustainability and economic growth.”
Sonia Weymuller, Co-Founder and General Partner at VentureSouq said: “We look forward to this continued partnership with startAD via our Angel Rising symposium held this year at COP28. This annual event has been instrumental in providing access to top-tier experts regarding emerging technology trends over the last seven years. We’re thrilled to organise programming this year around one of our core theses at VentureSouq: ClimateTech.
“Climate change presents both an existential risk and an economic opportunity, and technology acts as the enabler for this climate transition. The next decade presents an unparalleled opportunity to back the next wave of disruptive climate tech companies that are building upon their predecessors and developing innovative technology stacks across sectors. The country’s leadership and mindset for innovation makes the UAE an ideal hub to support and pilot climate tech solutions.”
Robin Solomon, Counselor for Public Affairs and Outreach at the US Mission to the UAE said: “At the US Mission to the United Arab Emirates, we are honored to shine a light on the critical need for regional investment in ClimateTech for Change during COP28 in partnership with NYUAD, startAD, Tamkeen, and VentureSouq.
“In advance of COP28, President Biden convened the Major Economies Forum (MEF) to galvanise financing needed to tackle the climate crisis. The United States will provide an additional $1bn to the Green Climate Fund, bringing the U.S. total contribution to $2bn. We are proud to stand with our Emirati partners to promote sustainable development and climate action. We hope this initiative will inspire more regional investments in transformative technologies to meet our shared net zero ambitions and showcase the very best of the US-UAE partnership.”
Angel Rising is targeted towards GCC-based family office funds, venture capitalists, angel investors, institutional investors, corporate and government investors, and stakeholders who are interested in investing in impact-driven technology startups that can bring positive change in the future of climate and the economy. Over seven years, Angel Rising has convened 100 global experts, 2900 participants, and reached 11 million people worldwide. Ecosystem partners for this edition include The UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators and the European Women’s Association.
