Violet Ventures

Open to the Public: Secure Your Spot at NYUAD Slush'D 2025! 🎉 NYUAD Slush'D, for the third time and the only one in the Gulf, is unlocking the next chapter of innovation in AI, and you’re invited to be part of it. On February 8, 2025, NYU Abu Dhabi will host the most transformative AI and entrepreneurship event of the year. 💡 Imagine this: — Visionary leaders unveiling how AI is shaping industries across MENA. — Game-changing workshops equipping you to lead the tech revolution. — High-tech Hackathon spotlighting bold solutions to regional challenges. — Networking with founders, investors, and AI pioneers rewriting the rules. This isn’t just about tech—it’s about unleashing new opportunities, sparking world-changing ideas, and positioning you at the forefront of MENA’s AI-powered future. 🚀 🎫 Tickets are NOW LIVE—don’t wait. Seats are limited, and this is where the future takes center stage. Secure your spot on our Eventbrite. — https://lnkd.in/eyNKuQgf — ✨ Be there. Be bold. Be part of the revolution. The future of AI in MENA starts with YOU. #FutureofAIMENA #NYUADSlushD

Imagine a future where financial transactions are faster, more secure, and decentralized—a future where anyone, anywhere, can access financial freedom with the power of digital assets. If this sounds exactly what excites you, join us for Crypto Unlocked: Workshop and Fireside Chat with Binance and Binance Academy, where you'll uncover the secrets of blockchain and crypto potential and learn how to navigate the evolving landscape of digital finance with confidence. Whether you're a crypto novice, a seasoned investor, or simply curious about how blockchain is reshaping industries, this event is your gateway to understanding the technology that’s driving the next wave of global innovation. Meet the visionaries who are shaping the future of crypto: — Dominic Longman, Senior Executive Officer, Binance Abu Dhabi. He is a seasoned expert in blockchain and digital assets, Dominic brings a wealth of knowledge on how crypto is transforming the financial landscape in the UAE and beyond. Get ready to hear his insights on bridging traditional finance with the world of Web3. — Mohamad AlHusseini, Community & Academy Manager, Binance Academy. He is passionate about empowering communities through education, Mohamad has dedicated his career to making complex blockchain concepts accessible to everyone. Learn from his expertise as he breaks down the essentials of crypto adoption and the future of blockchain. Date: December 4th, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Location: Career Cafe at Career Development Center, C2 Campus Center Learn more about the agenda & secure your spot through this link: https://lnkd.in/en9jdDj9 Disclaimer: Open to NYUAD community (students, professors, staff) only. By signing up for this event, you agree to be in photos or videos that might be shared on Violet Ventures’ social media. This event is your chance to gain exclusive insights, make meaningful connections, and position yourself at the forefront of the crypto revolution. Don’t miss out! #violetventures

Last Monday, Violet Ventures had the pleasure of organizing and hosting the Founders Panel at Hub71. Over 40 students from New York University Abu Dhabi had an opportunity to learn from some of the best in the industry and connect with Hub71's founders at the Community Breakfast. The Founders Panel featured the inspiring leaders behind Enrichly, droplinked, and hundo, who shared actionable insights on entrepreneurship, brand building, and the mindset needed to thrive as a founder: 🎤 Anthony Forstner, CFM – Co-Founder & COO at Enrichly; 🎤 Margo Jordan – Founder & CEO at Enrichly; 🎤 ali sammour – Founder at Droplinked; 🎤 Esther O'Callaghan OBE – Co-Founder & CSO at Hundo. Their stories left a lasting impression on our student startup community, sparking new ideas and collaborations. We want to thank Hub71 for the partnership and our Violet Ventures team for making it all happen. Stay tuned for more events with Violet Ventures! #violetventures

What an inspiring afternoon we had on November 15th at startAD Central, where Violet Ventures hosted its Fireside Chat, joined by 36 students and faculty at New York University Abu Dhabi! Led by Jules Chasles and Sion Hau, two leading voices in venture capital, we explored the different aspects of the VC world—from breaking into the industry to early-stage funding strategies. 💡 Jules Chasles shared his insights from years of investing in innovative startups across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, offering a deep dive into what VCs look for in promising ventures. 💡 Sion Hau brought her expertise from Plug and Play Tech Center, where she has supported startups shaping the future of health tech, and provided actionable advice for student founders navigating the fundraising landscape. Moderated by Sabina Craciun Panicker, the discussion was as engaging as it was enlightening, with attendees actively contributing to the dialogue. 📸 Check out some snapshots from the event! Stay tuned for more Fireside Chats and events with Violet Ventures! #violetventures

Let’s talk startups! This Monday, Violet Ventures, in partnership with Hub71, is hosting the Founders Panel at Hub71—an event designed to inspire and support students as they explore the world of startups and innovation. The startup ecosystem thrives when we invest in its foundation: students and young innovators. And we have got the best Speakers Panel to do so! 🎤 Anthony Forstner, CFM, Co-Founder & COO at Enrichly. He joined Enrichly a year after its launch, bringing over 30 years of experience in human capital development, training, professional development, and extensive expertise in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) within multiple Fortune 500 companies. His work has been pivotal in securing partnerships like the Techstars Anjal-Z fellowship in Abu Dhabi, backed by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, supporting Enrichly’s growth and mission-driven impact. 🎤 Margo Jordan, Co-Founder & CEO at Enrichly. Margo holds a BA in Finance from Texas Southern University and an MBA from Capella University. Her achievements include the Globant Women That Build award, the selection for Google for Startups’ Black Founders Fund, and the World Impact Award from Startup of the Year. She has secured over $750,000 in grants and funding from sources like Amazon Prime's 2 Minute Drill, Sarah Blakely’s Red Backpack Fund, and Facebook’s Black Business Grant. Additionally, Margo delivered a TEDx talk titled Nourishment of Self-Esteem, focused on building resilience in youth. 🎤 ali sammour, Founder at DropLinked. He is one of the core contributors to the DropLinked protocol. Ali is leading the innovation groups at Omnicom and went on to scale venture-backed startups: AddThis and FLATLAY. As a serial founder and angel investor, he remains an active member of the startup community and enjoys supporting founders in solving impact-driven problems. 🎤 Esther O'Callaghan OBE, Co-Founder & CSO at Hundo. Esther is a Global Tech Advocates (GTA) Advisory Board Member, representing 30k industry experts and tech entrepreneurs. GTA is an associated organization of Coldplay's 'Music of the Spheres' tour for their Tech For Net Zero initiative. Esther leads GTA Metaverse and is a Non-Executive Director for Hope Solutions, environmental sustainability management for global artists and events. Supporting and mentoring students is not just a commitment to their future—it’s an investment in the future of the ecosystem itself. The energy, creativity, and vision they bring are essential to sustaining a culture of innovation and building a pipeline of transformative ideas that can shape industries and communities across the region. Join us as we spark connections, foster inspiration, and strengthen the bridge between seasoned founders and the next generation of changemakers. Let’s build the future together! #violetventures

Are you wondering about venture capital, how to get started in the industry, and what these firms do? Or, perhaps, you are a student founder and want to learn more about fundraising and how to impress an investor? Then, block off your calendar for November 15th, as Violet Ventures is hosting the first Fireside Chat of the season! We will be joined by two regional leaders in the industry: Jules Chasles and Sion Hau. Jules is a seasoned venture capital professional with extensive experience identifying and conducting due diligence on promising investment opportunities, particularly in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Jules previously worked as a Principal at Global Ventures and a Venture Capital Analyst at Outlierz Ventures in Morocco, investing in African tech startups. Sion is a Ventures Associate at Plug and Play Tech Center, the world's most active startup accelerator and investor. There, she invested in companies like Welix and Ciba Health and focused on health tech investments. Sion is a member of Global Women in VC and an NYUAD alumna. Date: November 15th, at 3:30 PM. Location: startAD, A6 Humanities Building. Hurry up to secure a spot through this link: https://lnkd.in/eJ2Hxw_y. Disclaimer: Open to NYUAD community (students, professors, staff) only. Join us to learn more about the future of venture capital in the Middle East and ask all the burning questions about early-stage funding. Moderated and hosted by the Head of Partnerships, Sabina Craciun Panicker. Let's build the future together! #violetventures

In collaboration with HackAD and PetRepublic, Violet Ventures brought 22 students to the GITEX 2024, the largest startup and tech conference in the region. GITEX 2024 featured over 6,500 exhibitors and 1,800 startups from more than 180 countries, offering attendees a comprehensive view of the latest technological advancements and industry trends. The students had the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge innovations, attend insightful sessions on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and sustainable technology, and network with industry leaders and investors. This experience broadened their understanding of the global tech landscape and provided valuable insights into emerging opportunities within the startup ecosystem. We would like to extend our gratitude to our partner, PetRepublic, for supporting us in organizing and facilitating this opportunity for the students. #violetventures #gitex

You waited, and we’ve delivered. Welcome the 2024-2025 Violet Ventures Team! After having a record-breaking number of applications and 30+ interviews, we’re excited to announce the new batch of changemakers, who are already working on shaping the MENA startup ecosystem and supporting young entrepreneurs. This year, 34 brightest students have joined Violet Ventures to build a new generation of world-class founders in the region. Our team members come from 21 countries across the globe: from the United States to China, India to Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates to Canada, and more. They also can beat anyone in a Duolingo match, as they are fluent in Arabic, Hindi, Mandarin Chinese, Romanian, Uzbek, and 14 other languages. Making groundbreaking changes in the startup ecosystem always comes from having expertise and knowledge on what, how, and when. Are you doubting that students have enough experience to do so? Well, we’re ready to prove you wrong: our team members founded 34 startups, NGOs, social projects, and apps that have impacted over 80 thousand people globally. From building an AI-powered school management system to address local educational dilemma to founding a non-profit to support women from rural villages who experienced domestic violence, they have already shown their dedication to changing our world for the better and are not willing to wait a second to make an impact. However, do they have any professional experience? Like corporate stuff, perhaps? Yes, they do! Our new team members have interned and worked at 72 startups, companies, investment funds, and NGOs across the globe. This includes names like Techstars, Plug and Play Tech Center, baraka (YC S21), Global Ventures, VentureSouq, Emirates, Etihad, Pfizer, Oracle, Suits & Advisors, InvestIndia Capital, and more. Our team is beyond excited to further develop the presence of young founders and mark the MENA as the newest hub for entrepreneurship. Stay tuned for more announcements about our upcoming events. If you’d like to learn more about our mission, reach out to nyuad.violetventures@nyu.edu. Let’s build the future together! #violetventures

***Final call!*** 📣 The application window is open for all startups in the UAE to submit their entries for the UAE final by April 30, 2024. The UAE final event is scheduled to take place on May 31, 2024. ✨ To apply, please visit: https://lnkd.in/dqxYcxu Don't miss out on the opportunity to compete for prizes of up to $1 million in the global final. Participating entails no equity dilution and involves no costs. Winners from the UAE will receive a fully funded trip to the global final and gain access to a global network of investors. Additionally, participation in EWC2024 opens doors to new markets for your venture. 🚀 We would like to thank our partner Startupscale360 for their support and initiative!

𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐱 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐩 𝐱 𝐍𝐘𝐔𝐀𝐃 𝐂𝐃𝐂 👥 The 𝐍𝐘𝐔𝐀𝐃 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 on the 25th of April, from 6-8 pm at the Torch Club (Above D2, @ NYUAD) is your chance to be matched up with ventures looking for UAE-based students! #networking #startups #nyuad #career #internships Here's a question to hone your skills before the event: