Diamante Blockchain and Block Stack, in collaboration with the Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission (Government of Karnataka) and The Private Office of Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi organised its first-ever Innovation Summit 2024. The summit, held on 29th and 30th January in Bengaluru, emerged as a global conclave of visionaries, entrepreneurs and innovators, focusisng on cutting-edge technology and embracing the startup ecosystem.
The guests at the summit included Ahmed Elmetwally, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Private Office, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan; Professor M V Rajeev Gowda, Vice Chairperson, State Institute for Transformation of Karnataka and Dr Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Development Commissioner; Amal Vijaykumar, CEO, Al Zaabi Group and First Royal Group, who shared their insights with the audience, contributing to the discussions on technological advancements and innovations in the business realm. The summit witnessed more than 10,000 attendees, over 60 speakers and corporate stalls from across the globe, providing a unique platform for venture capitalists, startup founders and tech professionals to network, collaborate and explore transformative business opportunities.
Chirag Jetani, Co-Founder, Diamante Blockchain and Block Stack, stated, “The Innovation Summit 2024 fosters collaboration and growth, bridging the gap between technological innovation and strategic capital investment. Working alongside the Karnataka Government and our esteemed partners from Abu Dhabi, the event showcased the best in technology and cultural exchange.”
Highlighting the summit’s importance, Elmetwally stated, “This summit marks a stride towards positioning the UAE as a centre for the global startup ecosystem. Our collaboration is focussed on building bridges across continents, nurturing a network of global partnerships that drive innovation and progress.
“The collaboration is poised to be a major step forward in funding, investment opportunities and economic cooperation,” he added.
An official partnership was also announced during the summit, solidifying the commitment between Diamante Blockchain and the Private Office of Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin Hamdan AI Nahyan. Under this partnership, Diamante Blockchain will serve as a bridge for Indian startup companies to access substantial funding from Abu Dhabi and encourage their growth in the Middle East markets.
The summit also witnessed a CEO Roundtable, where industry leaders, CEOs and key decision-makers engaged in insightful discussions on leveraging technology to drive development.
“The roundtable provided a platform for strategic dialogues, fostering collaborations that transcend industry boundaries and geographic borders. CEOs shared their visions for incorporating innovative solutions into business practices to address global challenges,” said Prasanna Lohar, CEO, Block Stack.
Simultaneously, the summit facilitated a dynamic Venture Capital (VC) Connect, offering startups and entrepreneurs an opportunity to interact with potential investors. The VC Connect aimed to bridge the gap between ideas and the financial support necessary for their realisation. Startups had the chance to showcase their innovations, discuss their vision with venture capitalists, and explore avenues for funding and strategic partnerships.