Calling all startups in the MENA region with Smart City solutions. The Dubai Smart City Accelerator, powered by Startupbootcamp, is making its way across the region this summer – from North Africa, the Levant, to the GCC – searching for Smart City-focused startups to join its next accelerator cohort.
The MENA Roadshow is slated to take place between June 9th and July 3rd in 9 countries across the region. Each event aims to identify the most promising startups in the IoT & Connectivity, Urban Automation & Mobility, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Open City Data, Sustainable Cities & Living, Smart Government, and Smart Retail industries.
The Dubai Smart City Accelerator team will meet companies in each location who fit within the criteria of startups qualifying for the program. Early-stage startups who are post-ideation, pre-series A are encouraged to apply now for their chance to present their solutions and get feedback from the Accelerator’s team, mentors, and industry experts.
The Roadshow includes a stop in Beirut for the regional Arabnet Beirut conference on June 12-13th. The team will also host Smart City-focused events in Amman (July 1st) and Cairo (July 3rd), bringing together a community of ecosystem partners interested in innovation, technology and the future of cities.
Among the startups selected during the MENA Roadshow, a small number will be invited to the final Selection Days for the Accelerator in September 2019. Ultimately, ten companies will be selected from across the globe to join the award-winning, three-month program running from late September 2019 to early January 2020.
Startups selected for the third cohort benefit from an exclusive acceleration package valued at €400k. This includes €15,000 in cash per team to cover living expenses, office space in Dtec, mentorship opportunities from over 100 industry experts, consultation and advisory support, as well as access to Startupbootcamp’s partner organizations and seed funding.
Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority in collaboration with du, Dubai Chamber, Smart Dubai, Visa, Orange Business Services, and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai have joined to fund the Dubai Smart City Consortium. These key partners provide expertise, exposure channels, APIs and unparalleled access to their deep Smart City network of industry professionals and mentors from around the world.
“Through the MENA roadshow, we are looking to meet with promising early-stage companies who want to scale their solutions in Dubai, “ says Ibrahim “Abe” Seksek, Managing Director, Dubai Smart City Accelerator. “The MENA region is undergoing a transformation with a rapid increase in its youth population and trend for rural dwellers to move towards urban hubs. This presents an opportunity for homegrown solutions that will benefit citizens and governments alike, enhancing mobility, healthcare, public safety and productivity.”
Founded in 2017, the Accelerator program has run two successful cohorts comprised of global companies. Applications are now being accepted for the third cohort. The priority application deadline is June 30, 2019.
For more information on the Dubai Smart City Accelerator, visit dubaismartcity.org/ or email dubai@startupbootcamp.org.