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Innovation Challenge Launched at GITEX Future Stars

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) is participating in GITEX Future Stars, one of the largest events for startups and entrepreneurs in the region. The event is hosted by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), from 14 to 17 October, in conjunction with GITEX Technology Week 2018. The Innovation Challenge, launched by MBRSC, is a competition for space technology startups to showcase the latest innovations in the space technology field.

Registration was opened prior to the launch of GITEX Future Stars, for companies wishing to participate to submit their presentations and be evaluated by the MBRSC. MBRSC then selects a list of 15 startup companies, who will compete with each other to establish unique partnerships, between MBRSC and the world’s most powerful startup technology companies, to support investment in the space industry.

The competition includes creating technologies for all aspects of spacecraft manufacturing (software and hardware), enabling technologies, data processing and processing systems on board the spacecraft, data processing, ground data processing systems, as well as indirect space-related applications aimed at using existing space technologies to improve the quality of life. MBRSC also included creating low or zero energy houses, as a challenge to life on-ground.

MBRSC allows companies to hold individual meetings with its management team, meet investors from all over the world. MBRSC has also allocated valuable financial prizes, ranging from USD 10,000, USD 20,000, or USD 30,000, to the shortlisted companies. His Excellency Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General of the MBRSC, said, “GITEX Future Stars is an opportunity to introduce our projects and technologies and a platform where we can review our current and future challenges and enable entrepreneurs and start ups to participate to find practical and innovative solutions for them. This supports the UAE National Innovation Strategy, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make the UAE one of the most innovative countries in the world over the next seven years, especially in the field of national space, which is mainly based on innovation. This also comes in line with MBRSC’s objectives and approach.”

Adnan Al Rais, Mars 2117 Programme manager at the MBRSC, said, “Through its pioneering initiatives, MBRSC aims to become an incubator for innovation and innovators in the field of science and innovative technologies from all around the world. MBRSC’s Innovation Challenge is one of the initiatives that seeks to create a stimulating and supportive platform for innovators, entrepreneurs, as well as local and global startups working in the field of space. We provide them with the necessary support to present their creative ideas, introduce their innovative technologies, and compete among themselves, to select the 3 winning companies after the evaluation from MBRSC experts and adopt their technologies in our space programmes.”

GITEX Future Stars is an important platform for more than 400 startups to showcase their business, attract investors, and meet key technology companies participating in other GITEX events. The event promotes business relationships, partnerships, and collaborations, by hosting over 700 entrepreneurs and investors, from 75 countries, and providing investment opportunities and capital projects, with an estimated  USD 11 billion in combined managed funds to the UAE as an attractive global investment destination. The event also includes challenging competitions on innovation.

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