FinTech Abu Dhabi 2018 To Bring Together The Region's Fintech Talent In Abu Dhabi The event aims to provide a comprehensive look at the latest developments in MENA's fintech industry through deep-dives into select sectors and technologies.

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FinTech Abu Dhabi
The ADGM building in Abu Dhabi.

FinTech Abu Dhabi 2018, a MENA-wide event bringing together the region's fintech talent, is back for its second edition after its inaugural conference in October 2017. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, FinTech Abu Dhabi 2018 will be held on September 17, 2018 in Abu Dhabi at the Fairmont Bab al Bahr Hotel, and is organized by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), an international financial centre and business hub based in Abu Dhabi.

While for its 2017 edition, FinTech Abu Dhabi reports receiving almost 3,000 requests for attendance from across the regional and global financial services and technology world, the event aims to provide a comprehensive look at the latest developments in MENA's fintech industry through deep-dives into select sectors and technologies, this year. The program will deliver on this objective through fireside chats, keynotes, and discussions with local and global leaders from the fintech, government and private sectors.

Some of the new elements and changes introduced for this year include a Bootcamp Day exclusively for fintech startups on September 16, that offers fintech startups sessions on topics such as legal 101, fintech investing, among others. Entrepreneurs will also have the opportunity to meet and network with investors and potential customers, invited by ADGM to be a part of the bootcamp. Further, the Bootcamp Day also features demos from ADGM RegLab member firms, and access to global fintech accelerator Plug and Play and their network.

Image credit: FinTech Abu Dhabi.
For fledgling fintech ventures, FinTech Abu Dhabi also hosts the Innovation Challenge- an initiative of Abu Dhabi Global Market in collaboration with KPMG to support the development of fintech by enabling collaborations between the region's financial services institutions and fintech startups. In this year's Challenge, selected startups will work to develop a prototype solution addressing business issues identified by UAE-based institutions (a.k.a. Corporate Champions). Each startup and Corporate Champion will present the outcome of their collaboration before an audience of financial institutions, regulators, corporates and media at the Demo Day scheduled on September 17.

A few speakers who are set to share their insights at the event include Brian Meenagh, Partner, Latham & Watkins LLP, Jan Reinmueller, partner and head of Digital Village in Singapore, Mei Gao, Partner, IDG Capital, Najla Al-Midfa, CEO, Sheraa - Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center, and Wai Lum Kwok, Executive Director, ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority, among others.

If you, as a fintech entrepreneur, are keen to network, exchange knowledge, and find out the latest in this region, hurry and secure your spot to the event here: https://fintechabudhabi.com/register/

Related: How ADGM's Proposed Regulatory Framework For Private Financing Platforms Can Bolster UAE Startups

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