How do airports keep their runways free of debris? How do people with disabilities make their way through airports? These are just two of the challenges that winning UAE-based startups have attempted to solve as part of the GE-supported Intelak Incubator competition.
Two other winners are focused on bringing high-speed LED-based Wi-Fi technology to the UAE and providing families visiting Dubai with the strollers, car seats and carriers they need.
The four winning teams recently demonstrated their solutions at the final Intelak “Demo Day,” which marks the graduation of the second cohort of winners in the incubator program developed by the Emirates Group, GE and Etisalat Digital.
Since winning in October, the four teams have each received AED 50,000, as well as co-working office space at the Dubai Technology Entrepreneurship Centre, to develop their ideas into actionable business models.
They also were assigned local mentors and attended workshops on topics important for startups, including how to leverage technology, market and competitive analysis, financing, budgeting and presentation skills to help during pitch presentations.
The four winning teams were: LiFi Tech, the company focused on LED Wi-Fi; SweepTEQ, which is working on a robot to detect and clear runway debris; Airborne, whose solution helps visually, mobility and hearing-impaired passengers get through airports; and Deliver2mum, the company focused on family travel.
During the Demo Day, the four startups presented the evolution of their concepts from idea to practical business opportunity to senior executives from the Emirates Group, GE, and Etisalat Digital, and the wider UAE and regional investor community.
The Intelak Incubator launched in September 2016 with a goal of working with local entrepreneurs to develop businesses with solutions that make travel simpler, better or more exciting.
For serious entrepreneurs and innovators in the UAE, submissions are now being accepted for the third cohort. Applications will be accepted until January 9, 2018. Please visit www.intelak.com to submit your application.
Read more stories here about how GE is supporting digital innovation across the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and Pakistan region.
