24six9 and Pearl Initiative have announced a strategic partnership to deliver a structured governance programme for early- and growth-stage founders across the UAE and the wider Gulf region, a rapidly growing hub for technology entrepreneurship and investment. 

Through this collaboration, the Pearl Initiative’s Governance in Tech Programme will be delivered within the 24six9 ecosystem, equipping founders with practical tools and frameworks to strengthen decision-making, improve operational clarity, and enhance investor readiness. The programme addresses a critical gap in the region, where startups are scaling rapidly but often lack structured governance to support sustainable growth, attract investment, and navigate regulatory expectations. 

Delivered as a year-long modular series, the programme will run in sessions every four to five weeks. Each session will focus on a core area of governance, including fundamentals, founder-led decision-making, operational structures, advisory and board dynamics, investor and capital governance, as well as technology and data governance. Sessions combine practical case studies, strategic insights, and applied frameworks relevant to high-growth startup environments. Each session is designed to stand independently, allowing founders to participate flexibly.  

An optional end-of-year capstone will enable participants to assess their governance maturity, identify gaps, and develop a structured roadmap aligned with growth and fundraising plans. Participants completing the programme will receive joint certification from 24six9 and the Pearl Initiative. 

Interested attendees can view and sign up for these programs by visiting the 24six9 Meet-up Calendar  

Jamil Shinawi, Founding Board Member of 24six9, said, “To us, governance isn’t some boring checkbox. We see it as something to propel founders to new heights. Through 24six9’s partnership with Pearl Initiative, the idea is to give Gulf builders the tools to crush it from day one. Scale smarter, stay real, and get investors lining up to work with them.” 

By combining the Pearl Initiative’s governance expertise with 24six9’s founder ecosystem, the partnership aims to strengthen the Gulf region’s startup landscape by embedding governance early, helping founders build structured, credible, and investment-ready ventures that can compete globally.

About the Pearl Initiative 

The Pearl Initiative is the Gulf region’s leading independent, non-profit organisation working to promote the business case for a corporate culture of accountability and transparency. Established in 2010 by regional business leaders in cooperation with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, the Pearl Initiative is the only private, non-profit Gulf business network to receive special consultative status from the United Nations Economic and Social Council. 

The Pearl Initiative runs a series of corporate governance related programmes, including Anti-Corruption Best Practices, Diversity in Business Leadership, Governance in MSMEs, Governance in Family Firms, Governance in Tech, and Governance in Philanthropy.  

The organisation also conducts locally relevant research, hosts workshops and executive education training sessions, and convenes business leaders, policymakers, students, and non-profit executives to encourage a proactive approach to implementing best practices in the workplace across the Gulf region. 

About 24six9 

24six9 is a not-for-profit startups and founder’s community that offers entrepreneurs, investors, founders and business students a unique platform to converge and enhance their knowledge. 24six9’s aims to create and empower a global ecosystem that supports innovation and ideas above anything else enabling social mobility and inclusivity. We believe that "What" you can achieve is what matters, regardless of your race,  gender, educational background, past jobs, or any other no-nonsense criteria.