Flat6Labs, a Cairo-based seed and early-stage venture capital company, and DisruptAD, the venture capital platform of Abu Dhabi's holding company ADQ, have selected 10 start-ups under their Ignite programme.
Representing the third cohort of the programme, the companies — selected from a pool of more than 700 applicants from across the globe — will receive seed funding and mentorship from global experts.
“This currently stands as our Ignite programme’s largest cycle yet, with 10 start-ups having been selected — a testament to the popularity and value that it delivers,” Ryaan Sharif, general manager at Flat6Labs UAE, said in a statement.
“Based on the outcomes of previous cycles, we are confident that by grooming these new start-ups we will springboard their success, and enable them to become valuable contributors to the entrepreneurship ecosystem and economy in the UAE.”
Launched in March last year, Ignite is a seed programme committed to support nearly 60 start-ups in Abu Dhabi over three years. So far, 17 start-ups have graduated from the programme and have cumulatively raised Dh14.7 million ($4m) in funding.
Of the 10 start-ups receiving investments in this new cycle of the programme, seven are home-grown UAE companies while the other three were founded in Poland, Bahrain and Turkey.
The international start-ups will establish operations in Abu Dhabi and have their headquarters there, Flat6Labs said. This is in line with the programme’s objective of establishing Abu Dhabi as a global entrepreneurial hub and centre for innovation.
“The solutions and services of these 10 organisations hold immense value for their target segments and the UAE economy at large. With the expert mentorship and guidance … these start-ups have the ability to unlock their full potential, fine-tune their value proposition and rapidly scale their operations,” Mr Sharif said.
Selected start-ups
DarDoc: The company allows patients to receive simple to complex care without visiting a hospital by enabling them to hire a nurse or a physiotherapist on demand.
Digital First AI: It uses artificial intelligence to help brands create and execute marketing strategies.
Fitlov: A marketplace providing fitness and wellness trainers on-demand in the UAE.
FundoMundo: An online, live-education marketplace connecting teachers with learners aged 3 to 18.
Hulexo: Helps retailers eliminate stock-outs and automatically deploy highly personalised marketing campaigns using AI.
Lune: Enables banks, FinTechs and retailers to serve customers by unlocking insights into customer spending, based on automated analysis of raw transaction data.
Makan: A company pioneering the concept of furniture-as-a-subscription, enabling consumers to rent furniture monthly.
Reach ChannelPro: A platform that makes it easy for brand owners and their distributors to increase their indirect sales.
Savii: Promotes financial responsibility and independence among teenagers by offering a debit card and a banking app.
The Scalable CFO: Simplifies finance operations for small businesses by matching them to part-time chief financial officers from a pool of more than 6,000 professionals.
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
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Walls
Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
(Syco Music/Arista Records)
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
UK%20record%20temperature
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The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
'Cheb%20Khaled'
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FIXTURES
December 28
Stan Wawrinka v Pablo Carreno Busta, 5pm
Milos Raonic v Dominic Thiem, no earlier then 7pm
December 29 - semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Stan Wawrinka / Pablo Carreno Busta, 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Milos Raonic / Dominic Thiem, no earlier then 7pm
December 30
3rd/4th place play-off, 5pm
Final, 7pm
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