bile app, easing live interaction between talents and audiences through live game shows and many other sectors, where social media can bring people together and assure ease of communication.” As the UAE’s tech ecosystem continues to thrive, Alhosani values the country’s market which works to Swoo’s benefit: “The UAE is a hub for talents who crave a stage in the UAE, and beyond in the Middle East and GCC area. Additionally, the GCC has one of the biggest data consumption rates. Investors in the UAE have a big appetite for rising technology companies, especially the tech companies.” But what else is needed to perhaps give UAE and the region the push it needs? Alhosani notes: “Due to our location and the time at which these technology companies are rising, I can positively say that we have our own DNA in this sector. The UAE is geographically located to be a bridge linking talents in within South Asia, Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and the GCC areas. Those talents are craving for a stage, in parallel with the obvious great appetite for rising disruptive technology companies, specifically technology media ones. I think that we are rightly positioned to add value in terms of content and technology to the rich tech landscape in the UAE.” As for what’s in the works? The team plans to launch new features including maps exploration, drone and external camera compability, gamification and monetization features. They aim to “become the leading global livestreaming platform through making roads into all aspects of people’s lives, including entertainment, education, e-commerce, health and business, through strategic partnerships with major government and private players locally and beyond.” Make sure to check out the app for yourself- start “Swoo-ing” today! www.swoo.tv
IMAGE COURTESY SWOO | ADGM
Swoo live broadcast
Eleven global firms selected as finalists for FinTech Abu Dhabi Innovation Challenge
SMART SOLUTIONS ADGM invites startups for its annual FinTech Abu Dhabi Innovation Challenge Now in its second edition, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and KPMG Lower Gulf Limited (KPMG LG) is launching the FinTech Abu Dhabi Innovation Challenge to further stimulate new solutions and ideas to the fintech industry. Noting the garnered interest from its inaugural event wherein it attracted more than 166 fintech startups from 39 countries, this year’s challenge will focus on “generating real case studies” in the use of fintech solutions across UAE institutions, including government entities and regulators. The structure of the challenge is fairly straightforward: UAE-based institutions, dubbed as corporate champions for the initiative, will partner up with ADGM to distinguish specific business problems that can be solved by fintech. ADGM and KPMG LG will roll out its invitation to local and global fintech entrepreneurs to apply for the opportunity to work with the companies, after which a selection of applicants will be paired with companies to develop ready-foradoption solutions. The final demo day will be held during the annual FinTech
Abu Dhabi Summit (FinTech AD) on September 17, 2018, at Abu Dhabi, wherein the final product will be presented to an audience of fintech institutions and startups, among others. Applications will gain the opportunity to set up their base and operations from ADGM’s Innovation Centre’s co-working space, as well as access to UAE’s fintech market by exhibiting their solutions during the FinTech AD 2018. KPMG LG will also expand its operations of its Digital Village to the Middle East and will operate from ADGM’s Innovation Centre. The platform, initially established in Singapore, supports startups in transitioning to the next stage and equips corporate clients with its latest solutions. For more information on the challenge, head to the website: www.fintechabudhabi.com/about/innovationchallenge/info
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June 2018 / E N T R E P R E N E U R . C O M / 63
