Gitex Technology Week: Make room for new startups

Dubai - The event hosts more than 700 innovators and entrepreneurs across 19 different sectors.

The UAE's buoyant startup sector was displaying its potential in full swing on Sunday as the world descended on the Gitex Future Stars.

The four-day event which concludes on October 17 is showcasing innovation from both local and global players. The event will host more than 700 innovators and entrepreneurs across 19 different sectors, all of whom will be given opportunities to network with 1,500 investors, accelerators and incubators from the likes of Google Ventures, the Amazon Venture Fund, IFC-World Bank Group, IDG Ventures, Draper Associates and the European Business Angel Network.

The technology ranges from iB Cricket to Satsure, a satellite-led farming aid that will multiply crop output and a startup that has already secured an MoU from Bill Gates. Throw in the likes of sit-in pods that provide a full health check-up in seven minutes (BodyO), to the world's smallest and most lightweight robotic lunar rovers and lunar landers (ispace) and you barely even scrape the surface of the scope and life-changing nature of the creative tech ready to be explored at Gitex.

Etisalat launched Future Now which introduces new ways of innovating and collaborating with startups, IoT developers, government entities, enterprises and end-users. Future Now has four key pillars: scale-up programme, a co-creation Lab, an IoT partner ecosystem and an innovation centre.

Francisco Salcedo, SVP, Etisalat Digital, said: "The future is taking shape from our actions today, and we believe that the best way forward is to collaborate and innovate in the way we work with our partners and clients. 'Future Now' by Etisalat Digital will open doors for these collaborations to happen, and with Etisalat's infrastructure and wide reach, we are committed to supporting innovators to bring their disruptive technologies to reality."

New entrants are making their mark by exhibiting their products and ventures. The Dubai-based studio FlamingoSkies launched PlanetPegasus which enables you to take a super horse across multiple experiences with the powers of blockchain, 3D printing and mixed realities.

Anish Krishnan, chief experience officer, FlamingoSkies, said: "PlanetPegasus represents one of the earliest attempts in the region to deploy blockchain technology for recreational and leisurely purposes using emerging technologies. We are grateful for the support of in5 and Dubai Internet City for helping us bring this experience to a larger audience in the Middle East."

Sarah Bacon, cofounder and CEO of We Share Property, said: "We want to connect and learn from the latest in cutting-edge technology and thought leadership. And see some robots."

Similarly, Dara Alsulayman, founder and CEO of Jaazi, said: "Going to Gitex is a good opportunity to connect and engage with all stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. I'm excited to be inspired by innovative startups and also connect with investors in the region."

Joseph Debs, co-funder, Healthigo, said: "Gitex is all about innovation. Gitex Future Stars is the apt platform for disruptive technologies to be showcased, for start-ups driving this disruption to talk about how they are bringing this change to make the world a smarter, safer and healthier place. Since it brings together the investor community and like-minded organisations, it is a matter of networking and connecting to see how we can all collaborate to achieve these goals."

- sandhya@khaleejtimes.com