Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development

Name

Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development

Legal name

Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development

Website

https://khalifafund.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

SME Development Fund

NAICS

Other Financial Vehicles (525990)

SIC

Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro primary industry

Development Finance, Guarantees & Blended Finance Programs (BPADABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA), Trust Funds & Multi-Donor Pooled Funds (BPADAOAE), Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) & Revenue-Based Financing (FSAKAGAD)

Keywords

• SME financing
• Government economic development
• Enterprise development fund
• Entrepreneur support services
• Business capability building

Headquarters

HQ city

Abu Dhabi

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Economic Development Funding: Khalifa Fund is a not-for-profit economic development fund of the Government of Abu Dhabi. It does not generate commercial revenue but allocates government-provided funding to eligible Emirati-owned SMEs in the form of loans and support services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development is a not-for-profit economic development fund of the Government of Abu Dhabi that supports Emirati-owned SMEs. It provides interest-free medium-term loans, capability building through training and consulting, and a membership programme offering market access, networking, and fee exemptions. The fund also runs strategic programmes for procurement facilitation, export enablement, ICV certification, light manufacturing, gaming incubation, and youth entrepreneurship.

Product overview

Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development is a not-for-profit economic development fund of the Government of Abu Dhabi that operates as a multi-product SME support ecosystem. The fund provides three core service pillars: Funding Scheme (interest-free loans ranging from AED 150,000 to AED 3 million for micro, small, and expansion projects), Capability Building (consulting and training programmes), and Membership Programme (non-financing support including networking and fee exemptions). These core services are complemented by strategic programmes including the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme, SME Export Enablement Program, ICV Readiness Program, Light Manufacturing Accelerator, Game Incubator Programme, SME Finance Facilitator Program, and Growth Opportunities and Franchise. The fund also runs the Khalifa Fund Entrepreneurship Competition, Young Entrepreneurship Program 2026, Venturist Summer Camp, and Future Entrepreneur Program for youth development. Services are accessible through the TAMM government services platform, with a loan eligibility calculator available online.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Funding Scheme Provides interest-free medium-term loans and financing solutions for Emirati entrepreneurs in Abu Dhabi, covering micro enterprises (up to AED 500,000), small enterprise loans (up to AED 2 million), and expansion loans (up to AED 3 million), with grace periods of 18-24 months and repayment periods of 60-84 months.
• Capability Building Offers strategic analysis, consulting services, and training programmes to help entrepreneurs develop and implement business plans throughout their entrepreneurship journey.
• Membership Programme Provides non-financing support services including event participation, government and private sector networking, fee exemptions, and preferential access to procurement opportunities for SMEs in the Khalifa Fund ecosystem.
• Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme Promotes SME inclusion in large-scale procurement from public and private sectors, facilitating deals between SMEs and large companies to unlock commercial opportunities. Since inception has facilitated more than AED 672 million in procurement deals.
• SME Export Enablement Program Equips SMEs with tools and support necessary to enter international markets through expert advisory services, capacity building, and access to global trade platforms.
• ICV Readiness Program Prepares businesses to obtain In-Country Value (ICV) certification to participate in government procurement and contribute to local industrial development.
• Light Manufacturing Accelerator Provides end-to-end support by connecting entrepreneurs and manufacturers with government entities, industry partners, and specialized clusters for regulatory navigation and supply chain integration.
• Game Incubator Programme Six-month programme enabling UAE nationals aged 18-25 to enter the gaming sector through practical training combining technical game development and entrepreneurship skills.
• SME Finance Facilitator Program Bridges financing gaps by simplifying business bank account opening and improving access to credit and funding solutions for SME working capital and long-term investment needs.
• Growth Opportunities and Franchise Supports SME development through franchise opportunities via the Franchise UAE platform, helping companies scale efficiently and leverage local market dynamics.
• Khalifa Fund Entrepreneurship Competition Flagship competition to discover, develop, and reward promising startups in Abu Dhabi with prizes exceeding AED 1 million across various sectors of the falcon economy.
• Young Entrepreneurship Program 2026 Summer cohort initiative inspiring and equipping young Emiratis aged 4-18 with entrepreneurial knowledge, financial literacy, and future-ready business skills across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra.
• Venturist Summer Camp Stanford University-accredited entrepreneurship summer camp for students aged 13-18, focusing on business development, teamwork, and entrepreneurial thinking through interactive workshops.
• Future Entrepreneur Program Program fostering entrepreneurship skills among youth aged 6-18, aiming to develop 2,500 entrepreneurial projects and 1,000 small ventures under the Future Entrepreneurs Permit initiative over five years.
• AI Prompt Engineering Training Programme Training programme equipping entrepreneurs and SME owners with practical AI skills including prototype development and investor-style pitch sessions.
• Funding on the Spot Initiative enabling Emirati entrepreneurs aged 21-60 to receive immediate on-site financing assessments at events like the Abu Dhabi Global Entrepreneurship Festival for sectors including healthcare, education, agriculture, technology, tourism and industry.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000+ jobs created through funded projects
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Keeta (Meituan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Launched 'Programme ABAAD' to support Emirati-owned SMEs in the food and beverage sector through specialized training, digital tools, performance insights, in-app certification, and international exposure opportunities through Meituan's ecosystem.
• Etihad AirwayscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2026New partnership announced at Make it in the Emirates 2026 to expand access to supply chains and markets for small businesses supported by Khalifa Fund.
• TAQA DistributioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2026Partnership to expand access to supply chains and markets for small businesses supported by Khalifa Fund.
• UAE UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2026Partnership to expand access to research and markets for small businesses supported by Khalifa Fund.
• Rotana Hotel Management CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2026Partnership to expand access to supply chains and markets for hospitality sector SMEs supported by Khalifa Fund.
• Higher Colleges of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2026Partnership to expand access to education sector opportunities for small businesses supported by Khalifa Fund.
• Abu Dhabi Youth Business CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026MoU signed to strengthen support for young entrepreneurs and expand access to funding and investor networks.
• KeetacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2026MoU signed to provide comprehensive support ecosystem for Emirati entrepreneurs in Abu Dhabi's food and beverage sector, helping local SMEs integrate into digital sales channels and expand market reach. Collaboration emphasizes Al Ain as a hub for innovation.
• Ministry of Finance (MoF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 December 2025MoU to support SMEs and strengthen their participation in government procurement by linking SMEs to federal government supply chains.
• 42 Abu DhabicoreTechnology or Integration · 10 December 2025Collaboration on 'AI Prompt Engineering' training programme running in Al Ain, equipping entrepreneurs with practical AI skills through hands-on training and prototype development.
• Makeit (اصنع) CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Partnership on the 5th edition of the 'Furniture Makers Fellowship' programme 2025, supporting young Emirati entrepreneurs in the furniture design sector.
• Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2025Strategic agreement to advance bilateral cooperation and support procurement activities of entrepreneurs and SMEs through the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme, providing targeted procurement support and connecting SMEs with government and private sector entities.
• Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and TourismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme, facilitating procurement opportunities for SMEs.
• Department of Government Enablement - Abu DhabicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme.
• Department of Finance - Abu DhabicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme.
• Abu Dhabi Investment OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme.
• AD Ports GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme, providing procurement opportunities for SMEs in logistics and ports sector.
• Miral GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme.
• E& (Etisalat)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme.
• Aldar PropertiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme, providing procurement opportunities for SMEs in real estate and construction.
• EMSTEEL GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme in the steel and construction materials sector.
• Agthia GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme in the food and agriculture sector.
• ADGMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme.
• MubadalacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme.
• Masdar CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme in the sustainable energy and technology sector.
• Industrial Capital Group (ICG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme.
• United Copper Rods LLC (UCR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme in the manufacturing sector.
• Union CoopminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partner offering potential discounts on registration fees and product display spaces for Khalifa Fund members.
• Al Ain CoopminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partner for Khalifa Fund members.
• Lulu GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partner for Khalifa Fund members, providing retail and e-commerce opportunities.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO): Abu Dhabi government investment promotion and incentive agency supporting business establishment and SME growth within the emirate. Comparable ecosystem-development role and overlapping constituency of entrepreneurs establishing ventures in Abu Dhabi.
• Emirates Development Bank: UAE federal development bank providing concessional financing to SMEs and strategic sectors. Comparable as a UAE government-backed SME lender that also partners with Khalifa Fund's programmes, although structured as a bank rather than a grantmaking entity.
• Saudi SME Authority (Monsha'at): Saudi government authority for SMEs providing financing facilitation, training, and ecosystem support. A closely comparable national-level government mandate (under Vision 2030) but operating at much larger country scale.
• Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (SHERAA): Government-backed Sharjah entity supporting UAE entrepreneurs through programs, funding, and ecosystem-building. Comparable mandate of growing the local SME base through entrepreneurship support, though Sharjah-focused and lighter on direct lending.
• Bahrain Development Bank: Bahraini government-owned development bank offering subsidized loans and SME programs. Comparable small GCC market, government-owned development lender, though covering the full SME spectrum including larger firms.
• Qatar Development Bank (QDB): Qatari government-owned development bank focused on SME financing, entrepreneurship development, and export enablement. Direct GCC counterpart with similar mandate of national SME development via subsidized capital and advisory services.
• Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small Enterprise Development (Dubai SME): Dubai's parallel government SME development entity providing financing, training, and incubation services to UAE nationals. Directly comparable in mandate, structure (government-owned not-for-profit), and target beneficiaries (Emirati entrepreneurs), though operating in Dubai rather than Abu Dhabi.

Regional players

• Enterprise Singapore: Singapore government agency supporting SME growth, capability building, and internationalization. Comparable in mandate and program structure (grants, loans, capability-building) but serves a non-GCC market with different SME ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Hub71 (Abu Dhabi): Abu Dhabi government-backed tech startup hub offering equity-backed incentives and ecosystem support to high-growth ventures. Overlap in supporting UAE-based entrepreneurs but more focused on tech startups than broad SME lending.

Broad incumbents

• Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF): Saudi government development fund financing industrial SMEs and large projects with concessional loans. Comparable development-finance model targeting economic diversification, though focused on industrial sector and based outside UAE.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/KFED_Official
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCaqLMj79BXPdQy_r4ZvGPVg
• Facebookfacebook.com/khalifafund.gov.ae
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/khalifa-fund-for-enterprise-development
• Instagraminstagram.com/khalifafund

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development