Founders and ecosystem builders are converging on the capital this February for a unique, high-impact gathering designed to break the ice before the doors even open. “Abu Dhabi Founders Meetup: Building Together” is a dual-session event orchestrated by Startup Grind Dubai and Founder Connects, combining virtual efficiency with in-person connection. Scheduled for February 12, 2026, this event promises a day of strategic networking, live pitch battles, and opportunities to connect with early-stage investors, including Boardy Ventures.
Event Details
- What: Abu Dhabi Founders Meetup: Building Together
- When: February 12, 2026
- Where: The Alley at MiZa, Abu Dhabi (Evening) & Virtual (Morning)
- Focus Areas: Early-Stage Startups, Fundraising, Founder Networking, Pitch Competitions
About The Event
Moving beyond the standard “exchange business cards” format, this event is structured to ensure attendees make meaningful connections. The organizers have curated a hybrid experience that starts online and ends in person. The mission is to facilitate warm introductions, allowing founders to walk into the evening venue already knowing friendly faces. With partners like Boardy Ventures actively looking for pre-seed and seed opportunities, the meetup serves as a bridge between talent and capital in the MENA region.
What to Expect
The event flows through two distinct phases designed to maximize interaction:
- Morning Virtual Speed Networking (11:30 AM – 12:40 PM): A fast-paced “warm-up” session where attendees meet nine other founders in 1-on-1 virtual chats. This session also serves as the audition ground: 15 founders will be randomly selected during this time to pitch live later that evening.
- Evening In-Person Meetup (7:00 PM – 11:30 PM): Held at MiZa HQ in Abu Dhabi, this is where the deeper conversations happen. Attendees will reconnect with their morning matches, network with the broader crowd, and enjoy beverages and popcorn in a smart-casual setting.
- The Spotlight Pitch Battle: The 15 founders selected in the morning will take the stage in the evening. The audience helps rate the pitches, rewarding the most promising startups with visibility and support.
Scholarships & Prizes
The stakes for the “Spotlight” pitch session are high, with a focus on acceleration and education. The top three pitchers will win free tickets to the next Spotlight event and valuable scholarships to the Founder Institute (FI) GCC & India Program, the world’s largest pre-seed startup accelerator (commencing April 2026):
- 1st Place: Full Scholarship
- 2nd Place: 50% Scholarship
- 3rd Place: 25% Scholarship
How to Attend
This is a paid event with limited capacity, and spots at The Alley at MiZa are expected to vanish quickly. Interested founders must register their interest on the event page to receive the official RSVP link.
Learn More: Startup Grind
