FRWRDx: Unlocking the Future of Entrepreneurship 

Dunes Ventures, the Abu Dhabi-based venture studio focused on delivering innovative solutions at the intersection of content, community, and opportunity – such as ADSMEHUB.AE in partnership with ADDED – is unveiling its latest initiative: FRWRDx, a new, unique, project-based platform where everybody, regardless of their background and experience, can imagine, explore, and create businesses. 

Why FRWRDx

With 15 years working within the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Middle East, the Dunes Ventures team decided to create FRWRDx to address one of the biggest challenges that aspiring entrepreneurs face all over the world: the lack of access to the right knowledge and community to build successful ventures.

Indeed, there are many reasons why a majority of startups fail – as many as 90% according to Startup Genome, with 3,200 going under in 2023 alone – but most of them have one thing in common: a misguided, uninformed thought process. Whether it’s the wrong idea, poor product/market fit, financial mismanagement, inadequate market entry strategies, or any other hurdles, it all goes back to the same issue – not having the information, tools, and support that would help founders make the right decisions at the right time. 

This state of play is compounded by the scarcity of scalable, effective solutions. Top-tier accelerators and incubators, where some of these teachings are imparted, are incredibly competitive, with acceptance rates hovering around a mere 1%, according to the FundersClub. So, what about all the other aspiring entrepreneurs who could have the potential to create incredible businesses but are not given a chance to?

And what about the youth in the Middle East, and the UAE in particular where their unemployment rate stands at 9.84% in 2023 according to The World Bank? At a time when rapid technological acceleration exacerbates the mismatch between skills supply and job market demand, the need for the right education and training offering is becoming a pressing issue.

A Scalable, Effective Solution

To solve the problem at scale and leapfrog the region, FRWRDx offers an immersive, empowering experience accessible to all – be it an employee looking to start their own business in a safe environment, a homemaker eager to turn a hobby into a real venture, or a fresh graduate exploring possibilities for their future. 

“Bringing something to life out of nothing is an extraordinary journey that fulfils the soul. We believe everyone deserves a chance to experience this joy and unleash their unique ingenuity upon the world,” says Victor Kiriakos, founder and CEO of Dunes Ventures.

Leveraging a gamified learning approach and a vibrant community, it enables people to build in public through workshops, mentorship, fireside chats, and many more activities. Its intuitive interface and custom software are complete with tools, processes, resources, and personalised support, ensuring the entrepreneurial journey is accessible to anyone who has the drive to succeed.

FRWRDx is anchored by the values deeply entrenched in all of Dunes Ventures’ projects: inclusivity, giving everyone access to what they need to achieve their dream; collaboration, the key to building a strong, supportive community; fairness, with an unbiased approach that ensures genuine efforts are rewarded; and impact, aiming to create a better future where people can build durable, purpose-driven businesses that transform society.

So, to dream big and build better, apply to FRWRDx here.