Abu Dhabi: Where Web3 Thrives in the Fast Lane

Picture this: a city rising from the desert sands, a modern-day oasis where the improbable becomes reality. In a matter of decades, Abu Dhabi has transformed from a modest desert emirate into a thriving metropolis, a beacon of innovation in the heart of the United Arab Emirates. My journey through this remarkable city left me not only awestruck but convinced that it is the ultimate hub for Web3 builders.

Recently, Superfine was selected to be a part of the Sui Foundation x Hub71 Digital Assets program in Abu Dhabi. At Superfine , we’re building a cutting-edge advertising solution powered by AI and blockchain, and so I was eager to participate and learn more about Abu Dhabi's Web3 scene. To be honest, I did not know what to expect; I had never spent much time in Abu Dhabi before, but coming out of it left the impression that this city should be a top consideration for anyone in Web3.

Upon landing in Abu Dhabi, I was immediately introduced to the city's friendliness and enthusiasm for blockchain. My driver noticed my Bored Ape Yacht Club hat and exclaimed, 'Oh, Bored Ape! I like your hat!' He then shared some of the NFT collections and communities he is a part of. He also asked if I had any alpha to offer, to which I regretfully had nothing to offer.

The program began with office hours hosted by Han Liu , Head of Corp Dev at Mysten Labs , who was serving as a dedicated resource for the startups that Mysten Labs had brought to Abu Dhabi. Han made himself available for office hours every day, and these daily interactions provided us with an excellent opportunity to spend more time with Han. I could provide him with daily updates on the program and seek his advice on specific opportunities or developments we were working on during our time there.

Breakfast is always my favorite part of the day, and there's nothing better than sharing it with others. One of the things I enjoyed most about Hub71 was the community breakfast—a vibrant gathering that takes place every Monday. Here, I had the privilege of meeting local founders from diverse backgrounds, including individuals spearheading projects such as aquatic drones for environmental conservation and pioneering video games. I had the opportunity to engage with these founders on both a personal and professional level, discussing life in Abu Dhabi and what we are building at Superfine AI.?

The Sui x Hub71 digital assets program officially commenced with a meeting at Hub71, led by our sherpa, Ala Haddad , and joined by Scott Collen , a partner at Elixir Capital , as well as Laia Tomas from the Elixir team. The purpose of the meeting was straightforward: they aimed to understand Superfine better and explore ways to make the program meaningful for us. This initial meeting left a profound impression. What truly stood out was the swift introductions made to relevant stakeholders, aligned with our stated goals—an unmistakable testament to the proactive support we received.

The program itself was excellent, but what left me truly amazed was the unparalleled access we had to key stakeholders and thought leaders across the region. Coincidentally, just two weeks prior to our arrival, the ADGM Registration Authority had introduced comprehensive regulations governing Web3 organizations in Abu Dhabi. In one of our workshops, we delved deep into the recently enacted foundation rules and regulations for blockchain. These regulations paved the way for the operation of blockchain foundations, Web3 entities, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). What truly astounded me was that Dmitry Fedotov , Head of DLT Foundations Oversight, who had played a pivotal role in crafting the legislation, led the workshop. I'm not sure how many startup ecosystems give founders the ability to directly engage with individuals who are shaping the regulatory framework around their businesses.

During the program, Han also introduced us to key individuals on the marketing team at the Sui Foundation , Ranier Gadduang and Kiefer Hickman . Together, we talked about marketing in Web3, the distribution problems that web3 games are currently experiencing today, and brainstormed groundbreaking marketing ideas to move the industry forward. The program culminated with many industry events hosted by Hub71 , Plug and Play Abu Dhabi , Blockdaemon , Zodia Custody , M1 , and others, where I had the pleasure of connecting with fellow entrepreneurs and exploring various incubator programs in the city.

One day, while I was enjoying my lunch, I received a text message that left me in disbelief—it was, without a doubt, the most exciting message ever!

Hey! So I have an extra pass to the F1 today, do you want to come with?

Rachel Herauf , the Head of Founder Services at Elixir Capital, had an extra ticket to the Formula 1 race with seats right above the finish line. The F1 event took place on Yas Island, which is home to the Yas Marina Circuit - The Meeting Place of Champions , Ferrari World? Yas Island, Abu Dhabi , and twofour54 Abu Dhabi - Media and Entertainment Hub . This marked my very first F1 experience, and I had the privilege of meeting notable figures like Ali Alnuaimi , a Board Member at the UAE Space Agency and a regular supporter of Hub71, and Senior Advisor to Mysten Labs. It was unquestionably an unforgettable experience.

During the program there also happened to be ADFW which offered a plethora of events, and it was not all suit and tie; there were plenty of events for Web3. Here, I had the opportunity to network with fellow enthusiasts, innovators, and blockchain experts. My favorite part of ADFW was watching Adeniyi Abiodun , Co-founder & CPO at Mysten Labs, talk about the future of blockchain.??

During the weekends, I had the privilege of visiting Dubai, which is just a little over an hour's drive from Abu Dhabi.? Previously, I served as the Chief Revenue Officer at Ketchapp , which was acquired by Ubisoft in 2016. Antoine and Michel, the co-founders of Ketchapp, both reside in Dubai. Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to visit them, which was a great experience since I hadn't seen them since the onset of Covid.

While in Dubai, I also had the unique opportunity to spend time with members of the Bored Ape Yacht Club in Dubai. They organize quarterly meetups, and during my visit, we embarked on a yacht excursion on UAE Day. When you meet someone in BAYC, it's like meeting the best friend you've never met before. Many of these folks I had talked to online but never met in person. They are investors, builders, and crypto ecosystem partners living in the UAE, and we are all members of the same club.

BAYC is truly worldwide, I also met fellow members in Abu Dhabi. Their warm hospitality and genuine camaraderie made my time in the city truly special. Joker 4, a BAYC member who is living in Abu Dhabi, took us out to what has become my new favorite spot: NIRI Restaurant and Bar , where we celebrated Han Liu 's birthday. After all that he did for us during the program, it was great to be able to have dinner with him on this special occasion.

Sui had also brought some other amazing startups to Abu Dhabi, and to my benefit, I was able to build friendships and spend a lot of time with Nikhil Chari , Co-Founder & CEO at Shinami , one of the most talented teams I've ever met, and Clive Bennett the Co-Founder and CEO at Beyond Labs , another amazing team in the UK and Vietnam building an incredible game.

My journey through Abu Dhabi was nothing short of a breathtaking transformation. I arrived with modest expectations and departed with a profound revelation. The city's unwavering dedication to blockchain innovation, bolstered by forward-thinking regulations and a thriving startup ecosystem, left an indelible mark on my vision of the future of Web3. And I'm not the only one who thinks this—many founders in Web3 are considering making the move to Abu Dhabi, including Kostas Kryptos, Co-Founder at Mysten Labs, ALL CITY Governance Steward at ApeCoin , myself and many others.

I am not just grateful but profoundly moved by the experiences, connections, and wealth of knowledge I acquired during my unforgettable time at the Sui x Hub71 Digital Asset program. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Abu Dhabi for the warmest of welcomes. If you're a startup with a vision, and are curious about Abu Dhabi, take that first exhilarating step by applying to the Hub71 program here: https://www.hub71.com/i-am-a-startup

About Sui

Sui, developed by Mysten Labs , is a revolutionary decentralized Layer 1 blockchain that redefines asset ownership. It introduces a paradigm shift in web3 development by treating objects as first-class citizens, enhancing composability. Sui offers infinite scalability through horizontal scaling, ensuring low and stable fees even during high demand. It utilizes parallel processing to finalize transactions in real-time without compromising security. Sui's object-centric data model allows digital assets and their attributes to exist on-chain independently of smart contracts. It simplifies smart contract development with Move, a user-friendly and secure programming language. Sui prioritizes security, ensuring that assets can only be used by their owners and transactions can be finalized under adverse conditions, backed by Delegated Proof-of-Stake consensus. Mysten Labs aims to create a decentralized web stack suitable for mass adoption, focusing on building a better future for web3 with a commitment to security and reliability.

About Hub71

Hub71 is a global tech ecosystem based in Abu Dhabi that fosters startup growth by bringing together renowned corporations, national champions, and prominent investors. Their mission is to empower founders to scale disruptive technology companies globally from the UAE capital. Hub71 offers a range of programs, incentives, and expert mentorship to accelerate startup growth at every stage. They champion startups in all sectors and provide a launchpad for expansion globally. The ecosystem includes startups, investors, corporates, and mentors, creating a collaborative environment for innovation. Abu Dhabi, with its favorable business environment, infrastructure, and healthcare services, is positioned as a leading technology and finance hotspot. Hub71 actively shapes the future of innovation by connecting entrepreneurial thinkers and changemakers to turn innovative ideas into transformative companies.