The UAE's northern emirate of Sharjah was ranked at the top spot in a list of high-growth activation phase start-up ecosystems globally, according to a new report.
According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report, launched by policy advisory and research organisation Startup Genome, an activation phase ecosystem is characterised as having 1,000 or fewer start-ups.
The report says an activation phase ecosystem's objective is to pick start-up subsectors "that build on local economic strengths and develop focused programmes to accelerate ecosystem growth and develop pockets of success leading to sizeable exits".
Sharjah also ranked among the top 20 in Africa and the Middle East for “Bang for Buck” and among the top 30 in the region for having affordable talent.
"We look forward to further advancing Sharjah's reputation as a vibrant start-up hub - one that is home to high-impact ventures that contribute to our communities and the growth of our economy," Najla Al Midfa, chief executive of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa), said.
Dubai ranked 18th in the world's top 100 emerging start-up ecosystems, according to the report.
The global start-up economy remains large, creating nearly $3 trillion (Dh11tn) in value, a figure on par with the gross domestic product of a G7 economy, according to Startup Genome.
The Covid-19 pandemic poses several challenges to global start-ups, including rampant layoffs and the "double whammy" of a drop in consumer demand coupled with waning venture capital investments, leading to a capital crunch.
"While we see early signs of a rebound in Asian ecosystems — nothing like a return to normal, but a slowdown of the drop — the start-up economy is going through a major transition," Startup Genome said.
Globally, the report ranked Silicon Valley as the world's top global start-up ecosystem in 2020, followed by New York in a tie with London, while Beijing and Boston rounded up the top five.
Match info:
Portugal 1
Ronaldo (4')
Morocco 0
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Three Penalties
v Panama, Group Stage (Harry Kane)
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Four Corners
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One Free-Kick
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