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As a mother of two, DIFC’s Fintech Hive has been driving innovation in Dubai and has accelerated over 200 startups since its inception
Photo by Shihab
Raja Al Mazrouei, Executive Vice President of DIFC Fintech Hive, is a role model for women’s empowerment in the UAE in the 21st century as the young nation moves towards the next 50.
Low-key Al Mazrouei, the doting mother of two young boys, Ali and Omar, consistently ranks among the top 100 businesswomen in the Middle East according to Forbes and is the most influential financial industry in the Middle East according to Dow Jones. One of the 50 women in , and was even named Mena Fintech Leader of the Year by Entrepreneur Magazine.
She reflects on her formative years in Al Karamah, Abu Dhabi. “It is a blessing to be born in the UAE and to grow up in a country that is growing every day,” she said.
“Our country is an inspiration to the rest of the world because the UAE is a young country that has achieved so much in such a short period of time – the same applies to us Emiratis. We were born into one culture and one A community that supports creativity, innovation, progress and rapid growth.
Although we faced some challenges, thanks to great leadership, we have always overcome them with absolute courage, determination and dedication. Our visionary leaders have taught us how to take advantage of the limitless opportunities to hone our skills and grow as a community and build a strong and resilient nation in a rapidly changing world,” she said.
Her exposure to technology in the 1990s — fueled by her “curiosity about this new science” — set her apart from her peers. “I was one of the first Emirati women in the 1990s to focus on technology,” she said.
Technology didn’t matter back then, as many of my peers were involved in education or business management. Initially, my career started as a computer programmer. After moving to Dubai from my hometown of Abu Dhabi, I took on a more complex role in technology and infrastructure management and implementation of network systems,” she said.
In retrospect, 2014 was a watershed year.
“That year, I had the opportunity to enroll in Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Executive Education program, where I was exposed to more advanced options,” she added.
Fortunately, she was exposed to the infinite possibilities and possibilities of leveraging her education and launched DIFC Fintech Hive three years later in 2017.
“We launched DIFC FinTech Hive to enable financial institutions to leverage technology and co-create opportunities with entrepreneurs and fintech startups interested in coming to the region from all over the world. I leverage my connections and network to promote this entity ,”she says.
The numbers speak for themselves for the growth of this fledgling entity under her able leadership.
“So far, we have accelerated more than 200 startups through different projects. Our startups have raised over $500 (AED1,836.50) in funding; we have launched 100 startups in the MENA region through these startups Multiple products.
In 2019, we launched AccelerateHer, a women-focused career mentoring accelerator designed to provide aspiring young executives the tools and experience necessary to expand their knowledge and impact Play a more active role in shaping the future of the financial landscape. “
Data shows that more than 80 women have been accelerated through the program, of which about 20% are Emiratis.
Al Mazrouei enjoys traveling the world and absorbing global cultural traditions and social conventions, and she credits her excellent career path to her “supportive family” who encourage her to persevere in her studies to address her thirst for knowledge.
However, she chose not to single out her own family, but “the whole of Emirati culture”.
She said: “Overall, we care and support each other. Inclusivity is a hallmark, as can be seen in the fact that the UAE is a home away from home from over 200 different nationalities.
Traveling has broadened Al Mazrouei’s horizons, continuously enriching her learning experience through characters, books, videos and films.
“Critical thinking is key. Perhaps the only way to hone this skill is to explore new topics and seize opportunities in a brave new world driven by robotics, artificial intelligence, Web 3.0 and innovation,” she said.
Al Mazrouei is optimistic about the next generation of Emiratis. “I have great hope for the next generation who will stay connected to our glorious culture. I encourage my young sons – Ali and Omar – to learn about technology that has changed the world.
They are still open to other study options and I would not push them towards one of them. But I can see that the future offers great opportunities for young people in technology as well as in financial services and the economy, as this contributes to overall GDP (gross domestic product) and will shape unique opportunities for the next generation,” she said. Signed to leave.
brilliant career
Al Mazrouei encapsulates the astonishing growth and development of her eponymous Arab ethnic group – the predominantly Bedouin in Baniyas, who live in the Liwa settlement of Abu Dhabi, the largest emirate in the UAE.
Until the first half of the 20th century, with the decline of camel farming and date orchards, the Bedouin mainly depended on camels and pearl boats for their livelihoods.
In less than half a century, Al Mazrouei has demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for progress, which has been the driving force behind her achievements and continues to fuel her efforts to further cement the UAE as an innovation destination on the global stage status ambitions.
She has held senior positions in the information technology departments, operations and marketing teams of various organisations including Dubai Holdings, National Bond Company and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
Her marketing and communications expertise enables her to bring brands to life and foster communities that create business opportunities and social impact for the growing fintech industry.
Al Mazrouei has over a decade of experience in financial services; she developed FinTech Hive, an ecosystem for fintech entrepreneurs and stakeholders in Dubai. It is a major contributor to the UAE and has been ranked among the top 10 fintech hubs in the world.
She has been instrumental in bringing together leading financial institutions, government entities, technology partners, venture capital and entrepreneurs with the shared goal of advancing the UAE’s innovation agenda and shaping the future of financial services. Al Mazrouei has contributed significantly to building a vibrant community of over 350 startups operating in the DIFC.
She is a senior executive at Harvard Business School (HBS), a member of the HBS MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Advisory Board, and the Vice-Chair of the HBS Club of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
She also holds board positions at Dubai FinTech Ventures and Al Masraf Arab Bank for Investment and Foreign Trade. Finally, she is a board member of the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government.
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