A med-tech wearable jewel to measure vitamin D deficiency, a tracking device to enhance camel racing, and a sensor to open doors from a mobile have emerged as the winning prototypes of Abu Dhabi's Hardware Venture Launchpad programme by StartAD, the NYU Abu Dhabi and Tamkeen incubator.
Hardware Venture Launchpad is the first intensive 10-day programme designed to help startups rapidly mature into a scalable business within a short time span and last month culminating in a demo day where finalists showcased their start-ups to investors, corporate partners, media, and the UAE start-up community.
The three winning teams receive prototypes grants, US$120,000 in IBM Cloud credits, and get considered for advance mentoring by startAD. A fourth start-up, Project Realise, gets to take its prototype to Shenzen in China, a global manufacturing hub.
In first place at the Hardware Venture Launchpad event was the start-up Stealthy, created by its chief executive Nadiya-Keya Siddique. Some years ago Ms Siddique suffered an accident that taught her about her Vitamin D deficiency and all the health problems associated to it. Her prototype is a med-tech wearable, cognitive sensor to measure vitamin D and folic acid deficiencies during pregnancy. Seventy per cent of pregnant women suffer from Vitamin D deficiency, but it affects to 90 per cent of the GCC population. A lack of Vitamin D can lead to depression, osteoporosis and fertility problems, so Stealthy offers a med-tech wearable with an integrated sensor that looks like a piece of jewellery to ensure that owners achieve their vitamin D and folic acid targets, practice meditation and participate in community activities.
“We are going to produce here and our market is in the GCC. It is on the healthcare agenda and we want to prevent people and mothers having these problems,” Ms Siddique says.
At least 1.3 million women aged 18-40 years live in the GCC and 843,000 babies born every year in the region. Ms Siddique plans to move the prototype forward and perfect it in the lab before marketing it. “For the first batch we want to produce 100 to 150 units for testing and sell it through fertility clinics and mother and baby clinics.”
“There are 70,000 customers owning 160,000 camels,” he points out. His idea puts on the table the old school versus the new school. Traditionally, training 10 camels costs around Dh600,000 and usually results in just one being suitable for racing, so Jamalytics will be dramatically cut the cost by identifying the best specimens for racing without the in-depth training.
“We build the device, and then data is the next wave,” he says, to explain other possibilities for the device in the future. The basic tracker will cost Dh734, version Pro will be Dh2,000 for the device and Dh200 for subscription. “I come from Al Wathba, where the ecosystem [for tracking] exists,” he says to explain how he came by his idea for camel racing. “We have tracked soldiers, ships … you name it. Now we track camels”, he says.
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Maia Systems won the Khalifa Fund Ibtikari 2.0 and the Technopreneur Challenge before becoming a finalist at Pitch at the Palace in London and then at StartAD Venturepad Hardware. “I guess we are going to go to China and make things happen," says Mr Al Nofeli. "Hopefully, we can get [a] product out of it and people can get testing and we go to market. We are going to change the world.
"We have a projection of 20,000 devices for people to start using it. We are going now to the next stage, which is to get customer validation and give us feedback”, he says.
Third place at the Hardware Venture Launchpad went to Smado, a home automation start-up that combines Google API and Blueetooth to open and close home doors from a mobile phone. Midhu V Sankar and his co-founder designed a small, stick motor for the inside of a door, while the outside side remains unchanged. If the homeowner is absent and a cleaner needs access, for instance, the homeowner can send a code to the cleaner´s mobile to gain entry by unlocking the door via the motor.
“This small motor turns and works with a battery,” explains Mr Sankar. “It is the first time to design something in hardware and, seriously, we didn´t think in being in the final three,” he says. Mr Sankar believe Smado's market niche is in the United States, where at least half of the 125 million homes use smart doors. Smado wants to service 1 million: “The US people have a vision in helping new start-ups, they don´t need the product. If something goes wrong with the product in the GCC, they will sue us," Mr Sankar points out. "In the MENA region they need quality product.”
Project Realise, meanwhile, is a start-up that will go to Shenzen to build Protero 1.0. It is behind an electronic device that shreds plastic bottles and extrudes 3D printer filaments to generate more 3D filament, says Phillipus Vorster, the co-founder and CEO of Project Realise. “At university we have to pay for filament, and none of us can afford it," he says.
"At the same time, I wanted to make a difference because there is a tremendous amount of waste of plastic." The start-up intends to install the devices in the 32,600 educational institutions across the GCC to educate customers in a business that Mr Vorstar forecasts will grow to $10 billion in the next 10 years.
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)
On sale: Now
Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final
Esperance de Tunis 0
Al Ain 3 (Ahmed 02’, El Shahat 17’, Al Ahbabi 60’)
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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The biog
Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents
Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University
As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families
Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Race card
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.
2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m.
The National selections:
1.45pm: Galaxy Road – So Hi Speed
2.15pm: Majestic Thunder – Daltrey
2.45pm: Call To War – Taamol
3.15pm: Eqtiraan - Bochart
3.45pm: Kidd Malibu – Initial
4.15pm: Arroway – Arch Gold
4.35pm: Compliance - Muqaatil
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world
New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.
The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.
Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.
“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.
"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
