The Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council (ADBWC), in partnership with Publicis Groupe Middle East, has launched the second edition of Ra’idah, a programme aimed at supporting women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Abu Dhabi through business development, mentorship and leadership training.
Scheduled to begin in September 2026, the new edition builds on the success of its inaugural programme by offering expanded opportunities for women entrepreneurs to strengthen their capabilities, scale their businesses and contribute to the emirate’s long-term economic growth.
This year’s programme introduces a more immersive and practical format. Following a competitive selection process jointly managed by ADBWC and Publicis Groupe Middle East, successful applicants will participate in a two-day in-person academy, receive one-on-one mentoring from industry experts, and compete in Falcon Tank, the programme’s signature pitch competition. Winning business campaign ideas will receive paid media funding to support their growth.
The launch comes as women-led entrepreneurship continues to gain momentum across Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a regional hub for innovation, enterprise and inclusive economic development. Ra’idah aims to provide emerging women founders with the knowledge, networks and practical support needed to build globally competitive businesses.
The updated curriculum focuses on the skills most relevant to today’s business environment, including marketing and leadership, artificial intelligence (AI) tools, content creation, personal branding, paid media strategies and campaign development. Training sessions will be delivered by Publicis Groupe specialists across communications, media, creativity, technology and AI.
Asma Al Fahim, Chairwoman of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, said empowering women-led businesses remains one of the most strategic investments in Abu Dhabi’s economic future. She noted that the second edition of Ra’idah reflects the Council’s commitment to providing practical, high-impact programmes that help women entrepreneurs grow with confidence, expand sustainably and strengthen their leadership capabilities.
She added that combining the Council’s understanding of Abu Dhabi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem with Publicis Groupe’s expertise in communications, media, creativity and emerging technologies creates meaningful value for participants while contributing to a more diverse, dynamic and competitive private sector.
Bassel Kakish, CEO of Publicis Groupe Middle East & Türkiye, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting small businesses and creating greater opportunities for women entrepreneurs to develop their skills, increase their visibility and build confidence. He added that the second edition is designed to equip participants with practical capabilities they can apply immediately while benefiting from meaningful mentorship and support.
Ra’idah brings together a carefully selected group of women entrepreneurs from across Abu Dhabi, encouraging collaboration, peer learning and knowledge sharing while helping participants build long-term professional networks that support continued business growth.
