Dubai: The 'Dubai Future Solutions - Prototypes for Humanity' programme is advancing its first cohort of global university ventures into pilot projects and commercialisation in the UAE. This initiative, known for being one of the largest programmes fostering university innovation and entrepreneurship globally, is currently supporting ventures from Switzerland, the United States, and Egypt.
According to Emirates News Agency, the programme is organised annually in Dubai and operates under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. The initiative selects 100 startups from thousands of submissions worldwide, facilitated through a partnership involving the Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Art Dubai, and the Hussain Sajwani - DAMAC Foundation.
The programme is supporting three ventures - Oxara, P-Vita, and Virufy - in deploying their innovative technologies in the UAE. These ventures are focused on AI-powered disease monitoring, agricultural biotechnology, and the development of high-efficiency construction materials. Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, highlighted the programme's role in transforming scientific research into real-world solutions by fostering an environment where government, industry, and capital collaboratively scale solutions.
Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, emphasized the programme's ability to attract and support global innovators to build competitive advantages for Dubai's public and private sectors. The programme is designed to translate research into scalable projects, with the first cohort already making significant strides.
Oxara, a company that converts mineral and construction waste into low-CO2 building materials, is moving into commercial-scale deployment following a successful pilot in Dubai. The company, founded by Dr. Gnanli Landrou and Dr. Thibault Demoulin, aims to decarbonise the construction industry while reducing waste management costs.
P-Vita is focused on developing cost-effective raw materials for the agriculture, food, and pharmaceutical industries using biotechnology and AI. Founded by Mohamed Tarek Abdelzaher and Naglaa Mohamed, the company is expanding its operations in the UAE to support smallholder farmers and larger commercial farming ventures.
Virufy is enhancing its smartphone app to detect respiratory diseases through cough sound analysis. Founded by Amil Khanzada, the company is advancing a pilot clinical study with Dubai Health, aiming to create a screening tool to support respiratory health in developing nations.
The programme is also working with a new batch of ventures from prestigious institutions like Harvard University and Imperial College London, aiming to advance their projects in the UAE by 2026. The 'Dubai Future Solutions - Prototypes for Humanity' programme offers comprehensive support to academic founders, helping them translate scientific research into commercially viable solutions. Applications for the programme's annual summit are now open, inviting graduates and researchers globally to participate in the upcoming November showcase in Dubai.