The UAE's biggest listed property company Aldar has chosen three property technology (PropTech) start-ups for its inaugural Aldar Scale Up accelerator programme.
Selected start-ups include German company Envio that offers Internet of Things products to monitor buildings, Finnish company GBuilder that has a system allowing for easier communication between stakeholders on construction projects and UK-based Metrikus, which offers software that focuses on making building and estate operations more efficient.
The accelerator programme has provided a way of tapping into the global PropTech start-up market and harnessing innovative concepts, Maan Al Awlaqi, executive director of strategy and transformation at Aldar, said.
“We congratulate all those who participated in this programme on their excellent concepts, which will undoubtedly drive positive change in the industry,” he added.
The programme, which was launched by Aldar in February in association with StartAD – an accelerator based at NYU Abu Dhabi – aims to help global companies with innovative real estate technology enter the UAE market.
The chosen start-ups will benefit from “tangible growth opportunities” through pilot projects with Aldar and other leading industry players in the region, the Abu Dhabi developer said.
The programme focuses on three key areas – sustainability, data analytics and smart development. It received more than 200 applications from 31 countries and nine start-ups were selected to take part in online training sessions and mentorship. Out of these, three were awarded pilot projects.
The chosen start-ups have also been automatically shortlisted for Hub71’s incentive programme, which offers more than $400,000 worth of equity-free subsidies including free housing, health insurance and office space for up to three years.
The real estate sector accounted for Dh38.4bn of gross domestic product of Abu Dhabi in 2019 [about 4 per cent of total GDP], Ramesh Jagannathan, vice-provost for entrepreneurship at NYU Abu Dhabi, and managing director of startAD, said.
“Real estate constitutes over 50 per cent of the world's assets … however, only 58 per cent of real estate companies globally have a digital strategy in place.
“With technological advancements and digitisation, the quest for sustainability and changes in consumer behaviour, it is clear that there is an undeniable need for the industry to evolve,” Mr Jagannathan added.
The construction sector needs to spend close to $57 trillion by 2030 to keep pace with global GDP growth, according to the McKinsey Global Institute.
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Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP
Group A
Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA
Group B
Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti
Group C
Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia
Group D
Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria
Racecard
6.35pm: The Madjani Stakes – Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.10pm: Evidenza – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,200m
7.45pm: The Longines Conquest – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 2,000m
8.20: The Longines Elegant – Conditions (TB) Dh82,500 (D)
8.35pm: The Dubai Creek Mile – Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m
9.30pm: Mirdif Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,400m
10.05pm: The Longines Record – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,900m
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The five pillars of Islam