The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) has announced its support for 16 Emirati-led SMEs participating in ‘The Rage’ Festival 2026. The event, taking place from January 7th to 11th at Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi, serves as a dynamic cultural platform celebrating creativity, innovation, and music, providing a significant showcase for local entrepreneurial talent.
A Platform For Emirati Creativity And Commerce
The Rage Festival offers a vibrant and interactive stage for Emirati ventures to connect with a wider audience. KFED’s initiative aligns with its strategy to empower national entrepreneurship by providing startups with vital tools and opportunities to enhance their competitiveness. This participation allows the selected businesses to showcase their products, build brand recognition, and explore new avenues for collaboration and sales within a contemporary cultural setting.
Driving Sustainable Economic Growth
Her Excellency Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, emphasized the fund’s dedication to positioning Emirati startups as key drivers of sustainable economic growth for Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE.
“At Khalifa Fund, we are committed to supporting and facilitating active participation of Emirati ventures in local, regional and international events, in ways that enhance their growth and expansion opportunities, open new avenues for collaboration with partners and buyers, and enable them to showcase their products and services to wider audiences,” said H.E. Al Nasri. “The presence of these projects at this year’s ‘Rage Festival’ highlights the diversity of the UAE’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and inspires emerging entrepreneurs in Abu Dhabi to transform their ambitions into profitable businesses.”
Diverse Ventures Take Center Stage
The 16 KFED-supported ventures represent a broad spectrum of industries, highlighting the diversity within the UAE’s SME landscape. The lineup includes businesses from fashion, F&B, and specialty goods.
Participants include fashion and textile brands like Maiza Textiles, Allaafy Boutique, and Started Sport Clothes; perfume and oudh houses such as Hattan Oud and Perfumes and Cities Perfumes; and consumer goods specialists like The Little Birdy and MRQ Trading. The food and beverage sector is also well-represented with CRMBZ Restaurant, luxury chocolate maker Murban Chocolate, Mubahras Noodles, and Binardies Deli.
About Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development
The Khalifa Fund is an independent, non-profit organisation affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Government. Founded in 2007, its mission is to nurture the culture of entrepreneurship, promote innovation, and offer support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the UAE through a balanced ecosystem. The Fund delivers an integrated suite of financial and non-financial support tools aimed at empowering SMEs, stimulating innovation, and advancing economic diversification in line with national development goals.
Source: Zawya
