10:41 am - February 14, 2026
**Abu Dhabi**: Crimson Founders successfully launched The Crimson Collective Week 1.0, showcasing 19 startups from MIT and Harvard at a key event during Investopia 2025, with innovative ventures awarded for their contributions to the UAE and MENA region.
Crimson Founders has wrapped up a successful inaugural event in the United Arab Emirates, titled The Crimson Collective Week 1.0, held from February 24-28, 2025. This week-long initiative aimed at integrating MIT and Harvard-affiliated startups into the UAE’s investment landscape included 19 startups selected from a competitive pool of 52 applicants. The initiative featured collaborations with major UAE organisations such as Investopia, Future 100, DMCC, Dubai Future Foundation, and Al Tamimi & Company.
A key event during the week was the Crimson Founders Startups Demo Session at the Future 100 Forum, part of Investopia 2025 in Abu Dhabi. This showcase presented six startups to a panel of judges, including Belal Jassoma from DMCC, Christos Mastoras from Iliad Partners, and Medea Nocentini of Global Ventures. Two startups, HexemBio and Spectrohm, were recognised for their innovative solutions, winning The Crimson Founders Most Innovative Tech Award and The Crimson Founders Most Relevant Tech to the UAE and MENA Region Award, respectively.
The startups that presented included companies from a variety of sectors, such as:
- Amplified Industries: Specialising in AI-powered optimisation for oil and gas operations.
- Applied AI Corporation: Offering enterprise AI solutions targeting finance, healthcare, and government sectors.
- Helix Carbon: Focused on next-generation electrolyzers for carbon-neutral iron production.
- HexemBio: Pioneering advanced stem cell therapies aimed at longevity and immune rejuvenation.
- ML Tech: An investment platform for digital assets.
- Spectrohm: Developing AI-driven high-speed security inspection technology.
The full cohort of 19 startups also included firms like Bolt Insight, Cashflowy, and HarvestAi, highlighting a diverse range of innovations spanning AI, biotech, fintech, and energy. The programme successfully attracted interest from UAE sovereign funds and venture capitalists, underscoring the region’s commitment to fostering global innovation.
Anoosheh Kalantari, Founder and Managing Partner of Crimson Founders, remarked on the event’s impact, stating, “The Crimson Collective Week proved that the UAE is not just a regional powerhouse but a global innovation hub.”
Plans are already in place to extend Crimson Founders’ reach to other global cities including New York, Boston, and Silicon Valley, as part of a broader mission to connect high-potential startups with investment opportunities and strategic partnerships worldwide.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250311247008/en/Crimson-Founders-Brings-19-Startups-with-MIT-Harvard-affiliated-Founders-to-UAE%E2%80%99s-Entrepreneurship-and-Investment-Powerhouses-Investopia-Future-100-DMCC-and-Dubai-Future-Foundation – This URL supports the claim about Crimson Founders’ successful event in the UAE, featuring collaborations with major UAE organizations and the selection of 19 startups from a competitive pool.
- https://www.crimsonfounders.com/agenda – This URL provides details about The Crimson Collective Week’s agenda, including collaborations with UAE entities and the focus on connecting MIT and Harvard startups with global investors.
- https://alum.mit.edu/crimson-founders-demo-session-future-100-forum-investopia-2025-abu-dhabi – This URL corroborates the information about the Crimson Founders Demo Session at Investopia 2025, highlighting the participation of MIT and Harvard startups.
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250311247008/en/Crimson-Founders-Brings-19-Startups-with-MIT-Harvard-affiliated-Founders-to-UAE%E2%80%99s-Entrepreneurship-and-Investment-Powerhouses-Investopia-Future-100-DMCC-and-Dubai-Future-Foundation – This URL supports the claim about the startups that presented, including Amplified Industries, Applied AI Corporation, Helix Carbon, HexemBio, ML Tech, and Spectrohm.
- https://www.crimsonfounders.com/agenda – This URL provides additional context about the event’s structure and the involvement of guest speakers from MIT, further supporting the event’s focus on innovation and entrepreneurship.
- https://alum.mit.edu/crimson-founders-demo-session-future-100-forum-investopia-2025-abu-dhabi – This URL supports the claim about the event’s location and the participation of startups in the Future 100 Forum at Investopia 2025.
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250311247008/en/Crimson-Founders-Brings-19-Startups-with-MIT-Harvard-affiliated-Founders-to-UAE%E2%80%99s-Entrepreneurship-and-Investment-Powerhouses-Investopia-Future-100-DMCC-and-Dubai-Future-Foundation/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-bV7DTIYheT0D-1vT4_bKFzt_EW40VMdK6eG-WLfRGUE1fJraLPL1g6AeUGJlCTYs7Oafol48Kkc8KJgZoTHgMu0w8LYSbRdYOj2VdwnuKwa – Original press release. View link for all data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The event took place in February 2025, indicating recent activity. However, there is no mention of any outdated information or recycled news.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The quote from Anoosheh Kalantari is present, but no earlier online source could be found. This suggests it might be an original quote from the event.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a Business Wire press release, which is generally reliable for business news. However, press releases can sometimes be promotional.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the event and startups seem plausible given the involvement of reputable organizations like MIT and Harvard-affiliated startups. However, specific details about future plans cannot be verified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be fresh and based on recent events. The source is reliable as a press release, and the claims are plausible. The quote from Anoosheh Kalantari seems original, adding to the credibility.
