The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) is set to champion 10 promising Emirati ventures at the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition (ADIFE) 2025, taking place from October 21 to 23. The initiative aims to showcase the UAE’s growing innovation in the food and beverage sector and connect local entrepreneurs with global markets and investors.
Driving Innovation in the National Food Ecosystem
The participation underscores Khalifa Fund’s strategy to bolster the UAE’s entrepreneurial landscape, particularly within sectors crucial to national development. By providing a prominent platform at ADIFE, the Fund facilitates market access for SMEs, enabling them to explore new opportunities for growth and expansion.
Her Excellency Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of Khalifa Fund, stated, “Khalifa Fund’s participation in the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition (ADIFE) 2025 reaffirms its commitment to supporting Emirati startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food sector. The Fund will showcase a range of innovative ventures across smart farming, sustainable packaging, and food services, contributing to strengthening the national food ecosystem and enhancing the competitiveness of locally produced goods in regional and global markets.”
A Diverse Cohort of F&B Innovators
The curated selection of 10 ventures represents a diverse range of specialisations within the food and beverage industry, from specialty products to manufacturing and smart retail solutions. The featured companies include:
- Tural and Honey Khairat Herbs: A provider of premium coffee, herbs, spices, and honey products.
- Bebax Coffee: A specialty coffee roaster and retailer.
- East Gate Bakery Equipment Factory: A manufacturer and maintenance provider for bakery machinery.
- The Box General Trading: A distributor focused on high-quality F&B, nutrition, and wellness products.
- Al Dar Pickles: A producer of various pickles and cheeses.
- Lolli and Pops Trading: A retailer offering unique sweets from around the world.
- Excellence Meats: A producer and promoter of fresh New Zealand food products.
- Pearl Specialty Coffee Roastery: A supplier of roasted coffee and equipment.
- Hafeet for Honey: A producer of local Emirati honey.
- Iconic Solutions: A provider of smart and innovative vending machine solutions.
Aligning with UAE’s Strategic Food Security Goals
This initiative is deeply aligned with the UAE’s strategic goals for developing sustainable food systems and enhancing national food security. By promoting local production capabilities and innovation, Khalifa Fund helps reduce the nation’s import dependency. ADIFE serves as a crucial global platform for these ventures, connecting them with international investors, partners, and collaborators, and positioning the UAE as an emerging global hub for food innovation.
About Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development
The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development is an independent, non-profit organisation affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Government. 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. Founded in 2007, the Fund was established to align with the vision of the late Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Source: Zawya
