Thara Connect Forum Charts Course for Ajman’s Entrepreneurial Future

A gathering of government leaders, investors and founders at Ajman's inaugural Thara Connect Forum has outlined an ambitious vision for the emirate's business landscape, with a focus on strengthening connections between emerging enterprises and the capital they need to flourish.

The inaugural Thara Connect Forum concluded recently at the Thara Entrepreneurship Centre in Ajman, drawing together an assembly of government officials, investors, entrepreneurs and industry specialists to explore the architecture of a thriving business ecosystem. The gathering served as a crucible for dialogue, offering participants the opportunity to examine the conditions necessary for innovation to take root and for promising ventures to scale sustainably.

Three substantive panel discussions formed the core of the forum’s programme. The first explored the government’s strategic role in nurturing entrepreneurship, whilst subsequent discussions delved into the readiness of startups to attract investment, the lived experiences of founders navigating the journey from conception to growth, and the practical challenges and opportunities surrounding access to capital, customers and markets both locally and across the region.

The forum distilled its insights into a series of considered recommendations, centred on deepening collaboration between government bodies, private sector organisations and investment funds. Among the priorities identified were the expansion of incubation and acceleration programmes, improved pathways to financing, and the cultivation of specialist mentorship initiatives designed to strengthen business models, governance structures and operational resilience. Equally significant was the call for enhanced engagement between founders and venture capital providers, creating more direct conduits for capital and expertise to reach emerging businesses.

The assembled participants underscored the importance of empowering young entrepreneurs, Emirati talent, women and people of determination, whilst encouraging innovation across forward-looking economic sectors. The establishment of clear performance metrics to assess the impact of entrepreneurship initiatives, monitor growth trajectories and measure contributions to job creation and economic diversification emerged as essential to demonstrating value and refining strategy.

Maryam Khalifa Al Nuaimi, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Thara Investment and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, emphasised the significance of translating the forum’s collective insights into actionable partnerships. She outlined how Thara’s integrated model, comprising six specialised companies, enables founders to access comprehensive support throughout the establishment, growth and expansion phases of their ventures. This architecture encompasses flexible workspaces, incubation and acceleration services, investment and operational solutions, and community engagement initiatives, creating what she described as a more connected and supportive environment for emerging businesses.

Marwan Hareb Al Aryani, Group Chief Executive Officer, articulated Thara’s five-year economic objectives with clarity. The ecosystem targets the generation of at least AED 700 million in cumulative economic value added to Ajman, the creation of 3,135 direct jobs, and the support of 100 companies in establishing, relocating or expanding operations within the emirate. These ambitions extend to supporting 600 startups through Thara X, preparing more than 220 companies for investment readiness, facilitating AED 69 million in external financing for startups, and directing investment into 71 companies across the five-year horizon. As we reported when the ecosystem was established, this initiative represents a significant commitment to reshaping Ajman’s economic identity.

The forum’s activities concluded with a startup competition that drew applications from more than 45 emerging ventures. Alfredo, the winning entry, received an AED100,000 prize in recognition of its business concept and potential. The competition embodied Thara’s commitment to identifying promising ideas and providing the platform and resources necessary to transform them into sustainable, investment-ready enterprises.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

Thara Connect represents a methodical approach to economic diversification within the Northern Emirates. By establishing a formalised ecosystem that connects government, capital and entrepreneurial talent, Ajman strengthens its position as a destination for business development and innovation. The emirate’s commitment to measuring impact through clear performance indicators aligns with broader UAE priorities around sustainable economic growth and job creation across the federation.

The forum’s emphasis on empowering Emirati entrepreneurs, women and people of determination reflects values that extend across the UAE’s broader development strategy. The identification of specialised mentorship and investment readiness programmes as essential components creates templates that may inform entrepreneurship support across other emirates, contributing to a more cohesive and sophisticated national business environment.

Source: WAM