Microsoft has launched its ‘Highway to 100 Unicorns’ virtual conference, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), to empower regional startup ecosystems across the Middle East, Turkey and Pakistan.

Part of Microsoft’s five-year strategic partnership with ADIO, the Highway to 100 Unicorns virtual conference will launch on June 21, where Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises, will deliver the opening speech, to be followed by a series of online events designed to accelerate the startup ecosystem in the country.

Keynotes, fireside chats, panel discussions and workshops hosted by Microsoft, ADIO and 100+ regional and global speakers, will cover the most pressing issues faced by startups, investors and other entrepreneurship stakeholders, and provide guidance to overcome them.

The virtual conference will enhance Abu Dhabi’s continuous efforts to provide startups with the resources they need to succeed.

“The UAE is one of the best places in the region to do business, with the capital, Abu Dhabi, paving the way when it comes to nurturing a safe and enabling environment for startups,” said Dr Tariq Bin Hendi, Director General of ADIO. “Central to ADIO’s mission is ensuring that innovative ideas are given room to grow and thrive. Our work with Microsoft on dynamic entrepreneurship-focused initiatives is evidence of our commitment to enrich Abu Dhabi’s talent pool and provide startups with the spectrum of support they need to de-risk their critical early stages and build truly transformative businesses.”

“Together with ADIO, we are committed to strengthen the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem. Highway to 100 Unicorns enables startups and innovators across the entire region to connect, learn, scale and grow,” said Roberto Croci, Managing Director Microsoft for Startups MEA. “Startups need continued mentoring across everything they do, and that’s exactly what this program is about.”