Abu Dhabi’s drive to become a regional hub for sports and entertainment innovation was on full display as the E1H incubator, a joint initiative by Ethara and sports investment firm OneToWatch, hosted its second demo day. The event, held at the Yas Conference Centre, showcased five early-stage startups aiming to make their mark on the Middle East’s rapidly growing sports and entertainment economy.
Quick Facts
- Five startups graduated from the E1H program’s second cohort.
- The event drew over 100 investors and industry experts.
- E1H is the region’s first specialized sports and entertainment incubator.
Building Abu Dhabi’s Sports Tech Hub
The demo day marked the culmination of a six-week intensive program providing founders with strategic guidance, mentorship, and commercial opportunities. The initiative is a core part of Ethara’s strategy to bolster the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and align with Abu Dhabi’s long-term vision for innovation-led growth. Since launching its first cohort, the program has supported 12 startups.
Guillaume Dufond, Executive Director of Strategy Development at Ethara, commented on the program’s mission. “We believe that innovation is the primary driver for developing live entertainment experiences and enhancing value for audiences, clients, and partners,” he said. “The E1H program reflects this direction by empowering entrepreneurs and founders who are leading the next generation of entertainment solutions. We are pleased that these talents are launching from Abu Dhabi, reinforcing its position as a global destination for innovation.”
Meet the E1H Cohort 2 Startups
The second cohort presented a diverse range of solutions spanning sustainability, AI, health tech, and talent management. The five startups that pitched to investors were:
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Bilqis GreenTech (UAE): Founded by sisters Safi and Sara Fumba, this sustainability startup offers real-time waste tracking solutions for events and venues, using smart technology to improve recovery rates and support sustainability reporting.
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Blastball (UAE): Created by former Sky strategy executive Charlie Bloxham, Blastball is a new sport concept that uses real-time ball data to measure player performance and rank them globally based on power, speed, and skill.
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RCVR (UAE): Founder Neil Bhattachary developed this recovery tech platform to support injured athletes through their rehabilitation journey. It combines community support, recovery tracking, and individual progress analysis to help rebuild confidence.
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The People Agency (UAE): Led by founder Lianne Newman, this HR tech company uses an intelligent talent analysis engine and skills verification to connect professionals with career opportunities in the sports and entertainment sectors.
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VIAI Technologies (UAE): Co-founded by Emirati entrepreneur Abdullah Abu-Obeid, this award-winning performance tech company provides an AI-powered human performance ecosystem that turns biometric data into instant insights to improve health and reduce injuries.
Fostering a Collaborative Ecosystem
The event also featured a panel discussion on sports investment trends with Rehab Galal, Director of Investments at IMI. Highlighting the program’s lasting impact, the demo day celebrated success stories from its first cohort, including women’s sports media platform The Mettleset and robotics entertainment company Robox.
Jamie Cunningham, founder of OneToWatch, emphasized the diversity and potential of the local ecosystem. “The second cohort included a range of innovative companies covering advanced technologies, sports IP, talent management, and sustainability,” Cunningham noted. “The E1H incubator provides them with an integrated platform for mentorship and business development in collaboration with our partners at Ethara, City Football Group, and the Creative Media Authority. We are committed to enabling ambitious entrepreneurs to access the specialized expertise, commercial opportunities, and capital necessary to accelerate their growth.”
About E1H Incubator
E1H is Abu Dhabi’s first specialized incubator for the sports and entertainment sectors. It is a joint initiative between Ethara, the manager of Yas Marina Circuit and Etihad Park, and OneToWatch, a sports investment and advisory firm. The program is designed to accelerate the growth of early-stage startups by connecting them with industry expertise, funding, and commercial opportunities within the MENA region.
Source: 24.ae
