Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, on Thursday launched the Dubai Future Accelerators to enable rapid deployment of transformative technologies.

Accelerators are programmes and integrated systems designed to help entrepreneurs and innovators turn their ideas into successful companies.

The initiative will bring together top international companies and entrepreneurs to address seven key “21st century opportunities”. This includes the application of cutting edge technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics, genomics, 3D printing and biotechnology, as well as new business models and best practices.

Dubai Future Accelerators has been designed as part of the Dubai Future Agenda.

Dubai Future Accelerators is structured around seven organisations, including Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority and Dubai Holding.

Shaikh Hamdan said the initiative was in line with the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

“Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid’s vision is the engine to achieve our goals and transform the UAE into the global capital to explore and create the future,” Shaikh Hamdan added in a statement.

“Our goal is to transform the city of Dubai into a global test bed for leading ideas and technologies,” he added.

Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, who is also vice-chairman of Dubai Future Foundation, said: “We invite all those across the world who want to create a better future to come to Dubai and help us create a better future.

“When it comes to innovation, there is a flood of good ideas but not enough champions with courage and vision to test them out,” he added.

Entrepreneurs and technologists from around the world will be invited to submit proposals that meet one of these challenges with cutting edge products or new technologies. Winning companies and innovators will be flown to Dubai and provided dedicated creative workspaces in the Future Accelerator’s newly-opened facility in Emirates Towers, with full access to a state-of-the-art prototyping lab and deep engagement with the government leaders championing each area.

They will then participate in a three-month programme working closely with industry experts, government partners, and mentors to develop proposals for world-leading prototypes and test deployments of their cutting edge approaches. At the conclusion of the program, the most promising solutions will be selected for implementation and commercial development. Outside investors and potential customers will also have access to participating companies after completion of the prestigious programme.

The challenges will be announced and applications will opened to the world in the coming weeks. Anyone can apply, from start-ups to large companies, as long as they have a working prototype that addresses one of the key challenges to be announced.

Source: gulfnews.com