6 Hot Fintech Startups in Dubai and Abu Dhabi 2021

6 Hot Fintech Startups in Dubai and Abu Dhabi 2021

Financial districts of both emirates – the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) – have been heavily active in promoting fintech within the country, and setting the stage for more fintech startups to emerge.

This includes a number of sandboxes both the ADGM and DIFC. In Abu Dhabi, venture capital players can look to fresh changes to ease the flow of VC dollars into the emirate, while the 2021 edition of its global fintech startup roadshow Fintech Abu Dhabi is currently underway.

Meanwhile, the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority announced that it would be offering crypto trading at its free zone, while the DIFC has managed to attract over 3000 companies to the district.

Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are clearly propping the country up to become a fintech powerhouse in the Middle East, alongside national contenders Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt. With this backdrop, here are seven of the most exciting fintech startups in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to make breakthroughs this year.

1. Sarwa (Dubai)

Founding date: 2017

Founders: Mark Chahwan, Jad Sayegh, Nadine Mezher

Industry: Wealth advisory and investing