The Anjal Z Techstars Founder Catalyst Program, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), proudly announces the 20 innovative startups chosen for Cohort 05 of its program. This cohort, which launched on August 19th, represents a diverse group of global early-stage companies dedicated to advancing technology solutions within the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector.

The program, unique in its exclusive focus on early childhood development, stands out for its combination of non-equity funding, world-class mentorship, and peer-to-peer learning. It is one of the few programs globally dedicated to solving ECD challenges through innovation and entrepreneurship. In partnership with the ECA, this year’s cohort will benefit from a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, offering unmatched opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Commenting on the latest cohort of the Anjal Z Techstars Founder Catalyst Program, Dr. Yousef Alhammadi, Executive Director of Knowledge and Impact at the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), commented on the new cohort:

"As we announce the startups selected for our fifth cohort, this year holds special significance. The alignment with Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week, powered by the WED Movement, offers these startups an unprecedented opportunity to immerse themselves in a thriving local ecosystem. Our focus is on more than just traditional support; we’re offering cutting-edge mentorship, tailored localization, and access to a growing network dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship and innovation. We look forward to these startups playing a key role in shaping the future of early childhood development in Abu Dhabi and beyond."

The fifth cohort includes two distinct tracks: Launch Track and Ignite Track, catering to startups at different stages of growth. Six startups in the Launch Track are eligible for non-equity funding of up to USD 220K each, providing significant growth opportunities. These startups will engage directly with Abu Dhabi’s private sector, explore the local ecosystem, and create proof-of-concept pilots during an in-person session in October 2024.

The selected Launch Track startups are:

• Raising Superstars

• Jade Autism

• Neolook Solutions

• Nao Now

• Cali's Books

• Cubtale

Additionally, the Ignite Track features 14 early-stage startups focused on developing innovative ECD technologies. These companies will participate in virtual and in-person masterclasses and receive personalized mentorship from industry experts.

The Ignite Track startups are:

• MommyKidz

• Autsera

• Hibi

• Mamahood

• Start Up Early

• Hoopooh

• Gheorg

• Betweened

• Parentsmile

• TopSchool.ai

• Kidolog

• VitalPlay

• Vrudhi EdTech

• Kredit Academy

Zoe Evans, Head of Anjal Z Techstars Founder Catalyst Program at Techstars, shared her excitement about the new cohort: "This cohort represents a diverse group of innovators committed to transforming early childhood development through creative solutions and impactful technologies. Our partnership with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority provides these startups with the mentorship, resources, and connections they need to make a lasting impact in the lives of children and families. We can’t wait to see how they leverage this opportunity to create meaningful change."

According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report, Abu Dhabi is the second fastest-growing startup ecosystem in the MENA region and the sixth fastest globally. This backdrop provides a unique opportunity for the selected startups to scale their solutions and contribute to the region’s $4.2 billion economic impact generated from July 2021 to December 2023.

The Anjal Z Techstars Founder Catalyst Program runs from August to November 2024, both virtually and in person. For more information or inquiries, please contact anjalz-foundercatalyst@techstars.com.

About Techstars

Techstars invests in early-stage startups led by unstoppable entrepreneurs with transformative businesses. With 45+ accelerators worldwide, an unrivaled network of alumni, mentors, commercial partners, investors, and dedicated operating teams, Techstars supports entrepreneurs throughout their entire startup journey while helping to build thriving startup communities. Since 2006, we have invested in more than 4,400 portfolio companies, accelerating the growth of businesses including Chainalysis, Zipline, DataRobot, Alloy, and many, many more. www.techstars.com

About The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) 

Founded in 2019, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) is a government entity based in Abu Dhabi that oversees the early childhood development sector in the region. They work with service-providing entities, ensuring that the entities have the right policies and legislation in place to encourage holistic early childhood development. Their startup program, Anjal Z (Generation Z), has supported 45+ early and growth-stage startups through three successful cohorts since 2020.  For more information, please visit https://eca.gov.ae/.

About Anjal Z Techstars Founder Catalyst Program

Anjal Z, an initiative led by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), aims to instill entrepreneurship and innovation in early childhood development. The initiative’s name refers to ‘Generation Z’ in Arabic and to the generations inspired by the late founder of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The high-impact program empowers startups from all over the world to localize their solutions (interventions) across Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.

Anjal Z also engages, through its youth challenge, university students interested in entrepreneurship and its potential to solve modern challenges, to come up with innovative solutions to various early childhood development challenges, learning how to take the solutions from the idea stage to startup. For more information, please visit https://eca.gov.ae/anjal-z-homepage/.

Read More