Swiss startup investment firm CV VC and Abu Dhabi-based accelerator Elixir are merging to take early-stage support for blockchain, AI, and digital economy startups in the United Arab Emirates to a new level.
The merger, announced in February 2026 from Zug and Abu Dhabi, aims to combine CV VC’s international investment and ecosystem expertise with Elixir’s regional strength in the Middle East. The move comes amid growing demand for internationally connected acceleration programs within the UAE’s increasingly regulated and innovation-friendly environment.
The United Arab Emirates, particularly Abu Dhabi, has positioned itself for years as a regulated hub for digital assets and frontier technologies. The merger therefore aligns strategically with CV VC’s global expansion strategy, as the firm operates not only from its headquarters in Switzerland but also in Liechtenstein, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Dubai, Germany, and Portugal.
Mathias Ruch, Founder and CEO of CV VC, emphasized that combining global investor experience with regional depth in the UAE will help founders build scalable technology ventures from the region for international markets. Olaf Hannemann, Co-Founder of CV VC, highlighted the UAE’s regulatory clarity and innovation-driven environment as key advantages.
As part of the merger, CV VC will expand Elixir’s team and network in Abu Dhabi and contribute its international Web3 investment expertise. Elixir will continue to run founder programs locally and support the Digital Assets Programme at Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s globally oriented technology ecosystem.
Rachel Herauf, Head of Founder Services at Elixir, sees the partnership as a significant boost for founders aiming to build globally relevant digital asset companies. Abu Dhabi’s capital strength and long-term vision for digital assets are increasingly attracting international talent and projects.
With the merger of CV VC and Elixir, a new globally connected platform for early-stage blockchain and frontier technology startups is emerging — with the UAE as a strategic gateway to Asia, Europe, and beyond.
