Dubai Internet City is open to the idea of building more specialised incubators as it seeks to further support the growth of the emirate's start-up community, its top executive has said.
The potential additions to the existing innovation centres will help budding companies gain market access, Ammar Al Malik told The National.
DIC is under the umbrella of Tecom Group, whose start-up enabler platform, in5, operates three innovation centres – in5 Tech at DIC, in5 Media at Dubai Production City and in5 Design at Dubai Design District.
The newest vertical, in5 Science, was launched in June in collaboration with Dubai Science Park and is dedicated to life, energy and environment sciences, which underlines Dubai's efforts for sustainability in the lead-up to the Cop28 climate change conference to be hosted by the emirate next month.
Tecom Group, the operator of business districts in Dubai, launched the in5 start-up incubator in 2013.
Potential additions to in5's portfolio could include e-commerce, the metaverse, blockchain and artificial intelligence, Mr Al Malik said on the sidelines of the Gitex Global technology conference in Dubai.
“Most of the companies that we deal with already have plans set for sustainability. A lot of our clients, within their portfolio, pursue certifications … we're also working with a lot of these start-ups that are being attracted to this field as well,” he said.
Start-ups across the in5 platform number more than 850 and have so far raised nearly Dh3 billion ($817 million) in funding since its launch in 2013, DIC data shows.
“Our growth and support for start-ups is growing … our main objective is to solidify Dubai as the main hub for both larger corporations and the right ecosystem for start-ups as well,” he said.
During the Gitex event, DIC signed a partnership agreement with German Entrepreneurship, adding to DIC's capabilities of boosting the start-up and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the UAE and overseas.
The agreement will help German start-ups to enter the UAE and the wider Middle East, while also being invited to establish their bases at DIC.
“We try to attract the largest companies from around the world and from the region to be based here,” Mr Al Malik said.
Worldwide, start-ups are booming as they take on the challenges of developing solutions for an increasingly digital world in sectors such as retail, services and commerce.
They have become a key pillar in the UAE's programme to build its digital economy: developing start-ups’ contribution to the economy will help achieve the target of doubling the UAE's gross domestic product by 2031, Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy, said in September.
Earlier this month, the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy formally launched Business in Dubai, a new platform aimed at attracting and supporting digital-focused start-ups.
Last year, the Ministry of Economy unveiled its updated Entrepreneurial Nation programme, which seeks to develop more than 8,000 SMEs and start-ups by 2030.
The Emirates also aims to be home to 20 unicorns – start-ups with a valuation of $1 billion and above – by 2031, double the number initially planned.
“New technologies always come in and we focus on it. We continuously adapt in order to attract different technologies in different areas,” Mr Al Malik said.
“Our priorities always lie with the government, and what will do good for citizens and the economy.”
AI has big potential, given the sudden rise of its popularity stemming from the emergence of generative AI made popular by Microsoft-backed OpenAI's ChatGPT, the conversational platform.
“It is our role to attract the talent and companies that are necessary to support these kinds of technologies,” Mr Al Malik said.
“We see that AI is designed to make life easier for people and anything that supports it, which we're happy to see.”
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Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
Emiratisation at work
Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago
It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.
Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers
The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension
President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.
During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development
More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics
The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens
UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere
The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
