Empowering Women-Led Startups through Impact Strategy
Location:
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Background
DANA is an Abu Dhabi-based venture builder and investment platform that supports women-led startups in desert technologies, focusing on sectors such as agritech, food tech, water solutions, and renewable energy. The platform aims to address pressing challenges in desertification while empowering women entrepreneurs across the MENA region. To maximize its impact, Co-Catalyst worked with DANA to develop a comprehensive impact strategy that integrated sustainability, gender equity, and regional development.
Our approach
Strategic Planning
Co-Catalyst partnered with DANA to develop an actionable impact strategy that aligned with its vision of fostering women-led innovation in desert technologies. This strategy tied together critical impact elements, including sustainability, gender equality, and regional relevance, ensuring that DANA’s ventures created both social and environmental benefits.
Training & Education
Through Co-Catalyst's workshops and training programs, we equipped DANA’s team with the tools, knowledge, and skills to drive innovation and achieve the desired impact. Our education sessions focused on impact measurement, venture building, and scaling sustainable businesses that align with DANA’s mission.
Impact
Co-Catalyst’s work with DANA led to the development of a robust impact strategy that strengthened DANA's ability to support women entrepreneurs in solving regional desertification challenges. This collaboration helped DANA attract high-potential ventures with aligned social and financial goals, ultimately fostering a thriving ecosystem of purpose-driven startups.
The strategic framework we helped build empowered DANA to refine its value proposition, strengthening its appeal to both investors and entrepreneurs focused on desert technologies. As a result, DANA now plays a key role in driving sustainable growth in the region.
Testimonials
“Working with Stav on DANA's Venture Builder vision was truly inspiring. Her passion for creating impactful ventures was contagious, and it pushed us to refine our mission and attract purpose-driven entrepreneurs and investors. She guided us in measuring quantifiable impact and connected us to relevant funders, strengthening our overall impact investing strategy.”
— DANA CEO