The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) is actively participating in the Make it in the Emirates 2026 event, taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from May 4 to 7. The event, themed “Advanced Industry. Emerging Stronger,” serves as a platform for KFED to reinforce its support for national entrepreneurs, startups, and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a particular focus on enhancing the UAE’s industrial sector competitiveness.

KFED’s presence at the event highlights a comprehensive range of programmes and initiatives designed to foster the growth of Emirati ventures. The fund is showcasing seven Emirati SMEs operating across various industries, including agricultural technology, healthcare-focused artificial intelligence, machinery and equipment manufacturing, supply chain management, and food and beverage processing. This diverse group exemplifies the expanding breadth and dynamism of the UAE’s industrial landscape.

Visitors to KFED’s stand can experience the organisation’s integrated entrepreneur empowerment model, which supports a startup’s journey from initial membership enrolment through to scaling operations. Among the key features is the “We Listen” service, delivering personalized, one-on-one advisory sessions tailored to the needs of individual entrepreneurs and SMEs. Additionally, the “Funding on the Spot” initiative offers on-the-spot funding applications, inclusive of instant eligibility assessments, direct advisory support, and preliminary funding approvals for qualifying projects. Attendees can also register for training programmes provided by MZN Business Accelerators, present in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra.

Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of KFED, emphasized the fund’s commitment to building an integrated ecosystem that combines financial support with talent development, specialised skills, innovation, and market access. She noted that such efforts are vital to cultivating resilient entrepreneurship capabilities and preparing ventures for sustainable expansion both locally and internationally. Al Nasri also underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships across public and private sectors and academic institutions to unlock opportunities and elevate SMEs into competitive industrial contributors within the UAE economy.

Furthering its agenda, KFED is promoting the “Light Manufacturing Accelerator” programme, which aims to convert innovative concepts into commercially viable products. This initiative provides multifaceted support including funding, technical assistance, and connections to supply chains and industrial partners, reinforcing the fund’s role in facilitating SME growth within the manufacturing sector.

Through its ongoing efforts at Make it in the Emirates 2026, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development continues to position itself as a key enabler for national entrepreneurship, reinforcing the UAE’s objective of fostering a robust and diversified industrial economy.