Dubai Smart City Accelerator
With the vision to support Dubai’s 2021 strategy of becoming the smartest city in the world, the MENA region’s first Dubai Smart City Accelerator was launched in May 2017 by Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO).
The Dubai Smart City Accelerator is a product of DSO’s collaboration with six strategic partners – Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du), Smart Dubai Office, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rochester Institute of Technology New York, Orange Business Services and Visa — altogether investing a total of Dh18.4 million into setting up the programme.
Operated by Startupbootcamp, the global network of industry-focused startup accelerators, the programme targets startups that are developing innovative solutions to help make cities smarter and overcome significant challenges due to congestion, waste, and energy to improve the quality of people’s lives. It will focus on projects that provide solutions to everyday challenges, built around smart buildings, transportation, intelligent logistics, smart lifestyles and smart planning & maintenance.
Scope
The accelerator’s intensive 3+3 month programme provides selected Smart City companies with hands-on mentorship from over 100 industry experts, office space in Dubai, seed funding, and access to a global network of investors and corporate partners from across the Smart City industry.
Startups that get selected for the programme will be given Startupbootcamp’s acceleration package benefits including office space in Dtec, consultation and advisory support, as well as access to Startupbootcamp and its partner organisations and $20,000 (Dh73,460) in cash. Once completed, the startups will join Startupbootcamp's global alumni network consisting of some 400 enterprises from more than 50 countries worldwide.
The programme looks for innovative startups in the areas of
- IoT & Connectivity
- Urban Automation & Mobility
- Artificial Intelligence
- Blockchain
- Open City Data
- Sustainable Cities & Living
- Smart Government
- Smart Retail industry
Achievements and current status
In October 2017, Dubai Smart City Accelerator announced its first cohort comprising of 10 startups, from more than 1000+ startups from across the globe. The first cohort completed with a Demo Day on 28th February 2018.
Dubai Smart City Accelerator is looking to support startups with the potential to significantly impact cities to become smarter, safer and more resilient. If you have an innovative idea in the Smart City space, visit their website for more details