World’s Largest Accelerator Initiative Launches in Dubai

If countries had a tag line, the United Arab Emirates might do well to adopt “Go Big or Go Home” for its own. The tiny country is known for its grand visions and even greater wealth as home to air conditioned beaches, man-made islands in the shape of palm trees, and towers of every shape, form, and innovation. The national animal may as well be the construction crane and that’s just the way the government likes things.

Never shy about supporting business and innovation initiatives, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council and Crown Prince of Dubai, has announced the creation of a new accelerator campaign for Dubai called Dubai Future Accelerators. It is not timid entrance, but instead will exist as the world’s largest accelerator program for government services and will be managed through the Dubai Future Foundation. The idea is to make substantial funding available to ensure that all those who can contribute to the rapid deployment of transformative technologies have the opportunity to do so. Mohammed Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future and Vice-Chairman of the Dubai Future Foundation explained the idea with enthusiasm:

“Those lucky enough to be selected will get to experience firsthand how readily we can move mountains together, how quickly we create change, and how anything is possible. Let it start here in Dubai, but let it touch the entire world.”

One of the technologies to which the accelerator is dedicated is 3D printing, and nowhere is this more obvious than in the office building in which they have their headquarters. The entire building was created in just 17 days using 3D printers as the primary means of fabrication, an area in which Dubai is rapidly becoming a world leader. So there is no doubt that this accelerator will be receptive to applications from those who can help push the boundaries of the application of 3D printing to a wide variety of situations. Sheikh Hamdan described Dubai’s ongoing commitment to taking a leading role:

“Throughout history, Dubai has created and recreated the government and industries it needs in order to take advantage of the world’s most important trends and opportunities. From the creation of Emirates Airlines to our world leading ports, business centers and tourist infrastructure, we have always identified what is needed next and done what was necessary to make it happen. Today we continue that process by launching Dubai Future Accelerators. 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.”

These aren’t just empty promises. Truly, Dubai is ready to put its money where its mouth is and has shown an ongoing commitment to doing so. Obviously, there is a vetting process in place and a call is being issued to innovators the world over to submit their proposals. The ideas that are deemed the most promising will see their creators flown to Dubai where they will be given dedicated work space, full access to state of the art technologies, area experts, and government support to push their ideas from paper to project. The CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, Saif Al Aleeli, insists this is different than traditional accelerator programs in more than just scale:

“This is not a traditional accelerator program. This isn’t about marketing plans and search engine optimization. This is about connecting your ideas and innovations with the people who have the power to make them real. This is about creating and testing real proof concepts and prototypes at the city-wide scale.”

So those with great ideas may be set to Go Big and Go to Dubai. Discuss further in the Dubai Accelerated Technology forum over at 3DPB.com.

[Source: Emirates 24/7 News]