The Competitiveness Office of Abu Dhabi, part of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Added), has launched a new programme aimed at helping innovators turn their ideas into commercial projects.
The Abu Dhabi innovation incubators programme will support a “diversified, robust, smart and sustainable economy”, Added said on Friday.
It is part of the 14 initiatives under the “Abu Dhabi Innovates” programme that was launched in May to boost the emirate's innovation ecosystem.
The new programme focuses on developing clusters with high growth potential including the Internet of Things, data centres, cloud services, e-commerce, smart manufacturing, clinical research, asset management, commodity trading, tourism, FinTech, and AgriTech.
It will enhance the innovation ecosystem, support the development of business environment and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s status regionally and globally, said Sameh Al Qubaisi, director general of economic affairs at Added.
“This programme ... [also] provides regulatory and institutional frameworks that support innovation and research and development in vital economic sectors," he said.
“This will be achieved by following a set of policies and regulations to ensure that innovation incubators are well equipped and have the right operating model to support innovators at different stages.”
Abu Dhabi’s economy rebounded strongly last year on the back of government measures to curb the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The growth momentum carried into this year has picked up pace and the emirate’s economy is expected to grow by 6 per cent to 8 per cent over the next two years, Mohammed Al Shorafa, chairman of Added, said in April.
S&P expects Abu Dhabi's economy to accelerate to more than 5 per cent in 2022, with output reaching 2019 levels in 2023.
Innovation incubators are among the top drivers that encourage individuals and provide incentives. They support and convert ideas or scientific inventions into commercial opportunities.
This programme is in line with Added’s commitment to support and develop prosperous projects and provide regulatory and institutional frameworks that support innovation and research and development in vital economic sectors.
Sameh Al Qubaisi,
Added’s director general of economic affairs
Public and private institutions that are investing in innovative technical solutions and supporting research and development are eligible to earn innovation incubator licences, after a thorough review by experts, Added said.
In the past, various academic and private institutions were granted incubator licences. They include Khalifa University, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi University, Higher College of Technology, Khwarizmi International College, New York University Abu Dhabi, Plug and Play and Fat6lab.
“The programme will also facilitate access to financing opportunities and business deals as well as encouraging entrepreneurs and investors to deal with trusted incubators, select innovations to invest in and support innovators to navigate their way through challenges to success,” said Hala Al Ameri, executive director of the Competitiveness Office of Abu Dhabi.
MATCH INFO
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Kane (50')
Newcastle United 0
Company Profile
Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Arabian Gulf League fixtures:
Friday:
- Emirates v Hatta, 5.15pm
- Al Wahda v Al Dhafra, 5.25pm
- Al Ain v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, 8.15pm
Saturday:
- Dibba v Ajman, 5.15pm
- Sharjah v Al Wasl, 5.20pm
- Al Jazira v Al Nasr, 8.15pm
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Specs
Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km
HAJJAN
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
SPECS%3A%20Polestar%203
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
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