Abu Dhabi is leveraging the influence of celebrities, ranging from actors and comedians to athletes and writers, to enhance its global standing. The UAE’s capital has become a magnet for entrepreneurs worldwide, who are investing and expanding their ventures in the emirate.
At the Hub71 Impact Event 2024 on February 27, several notable figures announced their plans to invest in Abu Dhabi. Among them were actor Idris Elba, South African comedian Trevor Noah, UK boxer Tommy Fury, and former boxer Amir Khan. Hub71, an Abu Dhabi-based company that connects startups with investors, organized the event with support from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.
Fury intends to invest in real estate and launch sports academies, noting the abundant investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi. Elba revealed plans to establish educational and healthcare institutions in the emirate, alongside investments in the fishing industry, praising the region for its innovative thinking.
Amir Khan, who already runs a successful venture in Dubai, the Amir Khan Boxing Academy, is expanding to Abu Dhabi, citing its potential for business growth. He plans to launch a fitness center and explore investment opportunities in sports and real estate, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s supportive entrepreneurial environment and cost-effectiveness compared to cities like London, New York, and Mumbai.
Fury encouraged entrepreneurs to visit Abu Dhabi for investor meetings, emphasizing it as an ideal location for deals in the Middle East.
These celebrities join a list of well-known names endorsing Abu Dhabi. In the past, Aquaman actor Jason Momoa was enlisted to boost visitor numbers to Yas Island and increase international tourism. Additionally, author Deepak Chopra, former French footballer Patrice Evra, and former American basketball player Metta Sandiford-Artest signed commitments to establish businesses in the emirate in 2022.
