Tech Thursdays
COMMUNITY CHARTER
Abu Dhabi

Join the community

Where Abu Dhabi's tech community connects.

Tech Thursdays Abu Dhabi is an open, independent and community-led technology community dedicated to strengthening Abu Dhabi's culture of technology and innovation.

We bring together founders, engineers, technologists, researchers, designers, operators, investors, students, creatives, strategists and anyone curious about technology and what comes next.

We exist to connect people, share knowledge, enable collaboration, create new opportunities and build a community where people can learn, contribute and belong.

CONNECT · LEARN · BUILD · PARTICIPATE · CONTINUE

CONNECT
LEARN
BUILD
PARTICIPATE
CONTINUE

Tech Thursdays is a curated community initiative uniting Abu Dhabi’s tech leaders, innovators, and strategists

It’s not about presentations or panels - it’s about collaborative conversations and meaningful connections in a relaxed, curated environment

These five ideas describe how we hope the community works.

Meet Some People

Learn Something

Build Something

Contribute Something

Talk About Something

Have Some Fun

CONNECT - Tech Thursdays Social

Sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is put interesting people in the same room.

Our regular Tech Thursdays Social is deliberately simple: meet people, reconnect, exchange ideas and start conversations.

There is no formal programme and no expectation that you arrive with an agenda.:

No panels. No pitches. Just conversation.

It's a place where people can meet before they need to.

Sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is put interesting people in the same room.

Our regular Tech Thursdays Social is deliberately simple: meet people, reconnect, exchange ideas and start conversations.

There is no formal programme and no expectation that you arrive with an agenda.:

No panels. No pitches. Just conversation.

It's a place where people can meet before they need to.

LEARN - Knowledge Sessions

There is an enormous amount of knowledge within our community.

Knowledge Sessions is our community-led knowledge-sharing format, bringing people together around technology, ideas and experience.

Sessions might include talks, demonstrations, workshops, roundtables, technical discussions or informal exchanges.

Over time, this may also extend into formats such as Knowledge Nights, Knowledge Breakfasts, Knowledge Labs or other ideas shaped by the community.

These aren't sales presentations.

They're about people who know something sharing it with people who want to learn.

Knowledge shared by the community, for the community.

Have something worth sharing?

Propose a session.

There is an enormous amount of knowledge within our community.

Knowledge Sessions is our community-led knowledge-sharing format, bringing people together around technology, ideas and experience.

Sessions might include talks, demonstrations, workshops, roundtables, technical discussions or informal exchanges.

Over time, this may also extend into formats such as Knowledge Nights, Knowledge Breakfasts, Knowledge Labs or other ideas shaped by the community.

These aren't sales presentations.

They're about people who know something sharing it with people who want to learn.

Knowledge shared by the community, for the community.

Have something worth sharing?

Propose a session.

BUILD - From Conversation to Collaboration

Some conversations should lead somewhere.

BUILD is where connection turns into action.

That could mean starting a side project, finding a collaborator or co-founder, testing an idea, organising a hack night, demonstrating something you've built, finding expertise or creating a partnership.

Tech Thursdays doesn't need to own the projects that emerge from the community.

The people building them do.

Our role is to create the environment where those connections can happen.

Meet. Share. Build.

Some conversations should lead somewhere.

BUILD is where connection turns into action.

Tech Thursdays doesn't need to own the projects that emerge from the community.

The people building them do.

Our role is to create the environment where those connections can happen.

Meet. Share. Build.

PARTICIPATE - Help Shape the Community

Tech Thursdays isn't intended to be something you simply attend.

It's something you can help build.

Participation might mean bringing an idea, sharing knowledge, suggesting a topic, making an introduction, welcoming someone new, hosting a Knowledge Night, mentoring someone, helping organise an event or connecting the community with a partner.

Some people will contribute once.

Others may want to become more involved over time.

Both matter.

If you can make the community stronger, there are many ways for you to contribute.

Tech Thursdays isn't intended to be something you simply attend.

It's something you can help build.

Some people will contribute once.

Others may want to become more involved over time.

Both matter.

If you can make the community stronger, there are many ways for you to contribute.

CONTINUE - The Digital Community

Tech Thursdays doesn't end when the evening does.

Our digital community keeps people connected between events - creating space to continue conversations, share knowledge, ask questions, discover opportunities and collaborate.

Community spaces include:

Tech Lounge
General conversation, introductions and updates.

AI & Emerging Tech
AI, agents, automation, machine learning, data and emerging technologies.

Deep Tech
Robotics, hardware, engineering, AR/VR, semiconductors, quantum and research-led technologies.

Startups & Collaboration
Ideas, projects, startup discussions and opportunities to build together.

Jobs & Opportunities
Roles, freelance opportunities, hiring and talent connections.

Tech Events Radar
Relevant conferences, meetups, workshops, hackathons and technology events across the UAE.

Keep the conversation going without creating noise.

Useful. Relevant. Respectful. Community-led.

Tech Thursdays doesn't end when the evening does.

Our digital community keeps people connected between events - creating space to continue conversations, share knowledge, ask questions, discover opportunities and collaborate.

Community spaces include:

Tech Lounge
General conversation, introductions and updates.

AI & Emerging Tech
AI, agents, automation, machine learning, data and emerging technologies.

Deep Tech
Robotics, hardware, engineering, AR/VR, semiconductors, quantum and research-led technologies.

Startups & Collaboration
Ideas, projects, startup discussions and opportunities to build together.

Jobs & Opportunities
Roles, freelance opportunities, hiring and talent connections.

Tech Events Radar
Relevant conferences, meetups, workshops, hackathons and technology events across the UAE.

Keep the conversation going without creating noise.

Useful. Relevant. Respectful. Community-led.

OUR PRINCIPLES - The Format Can Evolve. These Shouldn't.

OUR PRINCIPLES

Respect for Everyone
We treat people with respect regardless of background, experience, seniority or expertise.

Curiosity Over Ego
We come to learn as much as we come to share. No gatekeeping. No arrogance.

Collaboration Over Competition
We support each other, exchange ideas and celebrate collective success.

Open and Inclusive
Experts and beginners are equally welcome.

High-Quality Engagement
Thoughtful questions and useful contributions matter more than volume.

Community Before Agenda
No company, institution, individual or commercial interest should dominate the community.

Independent
Tech Thursdays exists for the benefit of its community.

Respect for Everyone
We treat people with respect regardless of background, experience, seniority or expertise.

Curiosity Over Ego
We come to learn as much as we come to share. No gatekeeping. No arrogance.

Collaboration Over Competition
We support each other, exchange ideas and celebrate collective success.

Open and Inclusive
Experts and beginners are equally welcome.

High-Quality Engagement
Thoughtful questions and useful contributions matter more than volume.

Community Before Agenda
No company, institution, individual or commercial interest should dominate the community.

Independent
Tech Thursdays exists for the benefit of its community.

COMMUNITY STANDARDS - Protecting the Space

COMMUNITY STANDARDS

Protecting the Space

Openness only works when people trust the community they're participating in.

Share value, not spam.

Ask before sending unsolicited private messages.

Respect privacy.

Challenge ideas, not people.

Keep discussions respectful.

Keep community spaces relevant.

Relevant opportunities, projects and events are welcome. Harassment, discrimination, aggressive behaviour, scraping member information and repetitive self-promotion are not.

The aim is simple: protect the quality of the community and the experience of the people within it.

Protecting the Space

Openness only works when people trust the community they're participating in.

Share value, not spam.

Ask before sending unsolicited private messages.

Respect privacy.

Challenge ideas, not people.

Keep discussions respectful.

Keep community spaces relevant.

Relevant opportunities, projects and events are welcome. Harassment, discrimination, aggressive behaviour, scraping member information and repetitive self-promotion are not.

The aim is simple: protect the quality of the community and the experience of the people within it.

STEWARDSHIP & PARTNERSHIPS - Community-Led

Tech Thursdays is community-led.

A group of volunteers helps organise gatherings, welcome members, support community-led activities, maintain useful digital spaces and protect the culture and principles of Tech Thursdays.

Their role isn't to own the community.

It's to steward it.

As the community grows, we'd like more people to become involved in different ways.

We also welcome organisations that want to support Abu Dhabi's technology community — including venues, startups, technology companies, universities, investors and ecosystem organisations.

Partnership should always support the community rather than commercialise it.

No lead-generation platform. No corporate takeover. No pay-to-play network.

Partners should add something useful: space, knowledge, access, expertise, resources or opportunities.

Co-Creating Our Community

This Charter Isn't Finished.

That's deliberate.

This captures where Tech Thursdays has come from, what we've learned and some ideas about where the community could go next.

Now we'd like you to help shape it.

What should we protect?

What should we change?

What's missing?

What would you like to learn?

What could you teach?

What would you like to build?

How would you like to participate?

And what could Tech Thursdays become that we haven't thought of yet?

Read it. Challenge it. Add to it. Participate.

Because ultimately, Tech Thursdays should belong to the people who make it valuable.

A place where people meet before they need to, where knowledge is shared freely, where ideas grow into projects, and where everyone has an opportunity to contribute to Abu Dhabi's technology community.

This Charter Isn't Finished.

That's deliberate.

This captures where Tech Thursdays has come from, what we've learned and some ideas about where the community could go next.

Now we'd like you to help shape it.

What should we protect?

What should we change?

What's missing?

What would you like to learn?

What could you teach?

What would you like to build?

How would you like to participate?

And what could Tech Thursdays become that we haven't thought of yet?

Read it. Challenge it. Add to it. Participate.

Because ultimately, Tech Thursdays should belong to the people who make it valuable.

Common Questions

Who is Tech Thursdays?

Tech Thursdays is a social community initiative created by Christian Lear. We started as a small, meetup, but quickly expanded to bring together a diverse mix of innovators from across Abu Dhabi’s tech scene. Together, we’re building a collaborative community that will help define the UAE’s digital future.

Can anyone come?

Not quite. Tech Thursdays is a curated, invitation-only meetup bringing together a strategic mix of tech industry leaders, deep tech innovators, forward-thinking strategists, and academic experts from across startups, corporates, and the wider Abu Dhabi technology ecosystem. This curated format ensures high-value conversations, actionable insights, and meaningful connections — creating a space where decision-makers and innovators can collaborate on shaping the future of technology in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Interested in joining? Sign up to express your interest, and we will review all submissions when finalizing the guest list for this second session.

Whats the format?

Tech Thursdays is about connecting with the tech community — fostering collaborative discussions where every voice matters. This isn’t about sitting back and watching presentations. It’s about sharing your perspectives, exchanging insights, and exploring opportunities with industry leaders, deep tech innovators, and strategic thinkers from across Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Each session is curated and collaborative, designed to spark meaningful conversations and high-value connections, with themes such as: AI & the Future of Work – balancing opportunity and disruption. Deep Tech – building capabilities in advanced, high-impact technologies. Tech in Energy – innovating at the intersection of technology and one of the UAE’s core industries. Tech Thursdays is a conversation — and you’re part of it.

What it is not?

Tech Thursdays isn’t a formal panel, pitch night, or sales event — this isn’t about presentations or promotions. It’s also not a technical deep dive, though future sessions may explore more advanced topics. For now, the focus is on strategic conversations and meaningful connections. This isn’t an open meetup either. Attendance is curated by invitation, building a community of engaged members and innovators shaping Abu Dhabi’s tech ecosystem. And it’s not a finished product. Tech Thursdays is an evolving initiative, shaped by the insights, feedback, and ideas of its growing community.

Tech ThursdaysCOMMUNITY CHARTERAbu Dhabi

CONNECT · LEARN · BUILD · PARTICIPATE · CONTINUE

CONNECT LEARN BUILD PARTICIPATE CONTINUE

CONNECT - Tech Thursdays Social

LEARN - Knowledge Sessions

BUILD - From Conversation to Collaboration