Unlocking Market Access for UAE Food Innovators and SME’s

ne’ma – the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy & Tourism is hosting a focused workshop that brings together UAE food innovators, technology startups, and local businesses to exchange insights, address on-ground challenges, and develop practical solutions that strengthen entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability across the national food ecosystem.

Through open dialogue, participants will explore pathways to enhance market access, scalability, and policy support—advancing the UAE’s leadership in sustainable food systems.

Held at Emirates BioFarm, the UAE’s first and largest organic farm, the workshop will center on four key themes:

Policy Enablement and Governance – Exploring the regulatory landscape influencing startups and identifying how government can further enable innovation and sector growth.

Market Access and Growth Opportunities – Addressing barriers and identifying pathways to strengthen visibility, reach, and competitiveness within local and regional markets.

Financing and Investment Mechanisms – Examining funding needs, financing options, and accelerator experiences to sustain and scale food innovation.

Capacity Building and Non-Financial Enablers – Defining additional support mechanisms such as mentorship, knowledge exchange, and institutional collaboration to ensure long-term resilience.

November

Emirates BioFarm , Al Ain

Agenda

09:30 – 10:00 AM

Welcome and Registration

Arrival and registration

10:00 – 10:20 AM

Opening Remarks & Introductions

• Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer at Emirates Foundation and Secretary General of the ne’ma National Steering Committee
• Representative, UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism
• Yazen Al Kodmani, Founder, Emirates BioFarm
Followed by participant introductions

10:20 – 10:30 AM

Agenda Review

Overview of objectives, expected outcomes, and structure of the day

10:30 – 11:00 AM

Farm Tour

Guided visit of the Emirates BioFarm facilities

11:00 – 11:10 AM

Break

Short break before group discussions

11:10 – 11:50 AM

Group Discussion: Theme 1 – Policy Integration

Facilitated discussion on regulatory enablers and government support for innovation; presentation of group insights

11:50 AM – 12:30 PM

Group Discussion: Theme 2 – Market Access

Identification of challenges and opportunities for visibility and partnerships; presentation of ideas

12:30 – 1:30 PM

Lunch Break

Prayer break and farm-to-table vegetarian lunch, prepared with freshly harvested produce from Emirates BioFarm.

1:30 – 2:10 PM

Group Discussion: Theme 3 – Financial Support

Exploration of funding needs, accelerator experiences, and growth mechanisms

2:10 – 2:50 PM

Group Discussion: Theme 4 – Non-Financial Support

Discussion on mentorship, training, and other enablers for sustainable business growth

2:50 – 3:15 PM

Next Steps & Wrap-Up

Summary of key takeaways and outline of next steps

3:15 PM onwards

Networking (Optional)

Informal networking among participants and partners

Who Should Join Us?

This closed workshop is designed for:

UAE-based food entrepreneurs and startups driving innovation in production, processing, and sustainability.

Policy and ecosystem enablers from government entities, accelerators, and support institutions.

Investors, researchers, and industry partners interested in advancing sustainable food systems in the UAE.

Your participation and insights will be invaluable in shaping national actions and policies that empower UAE’s food innovators and local businesses to thrive sustainably.

Please note:This is a closed event with limited seats available.

A Collaborative Approach

This event is proudly hosted in collaboration with: