DUBAI, (Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2019) The Dubai Smart City Accelerator, DSCA, issued an open call for applications from global start-ups dedicated to innovative smart city solutions to join its third edition, with a deadline on 30th June, 2019.
DSCA was launched in May 2017 by the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, DSOA, in collaboration with du, the Smart Dubai Office, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Rochester Institute of Technology, RIT, Orange Business Services and visa.
The programme is hosted by the Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus, Dtec, and supported by 'Startupbootcamp', an international network of industry-focused start-up accelerators. The partners jointly invested AED18.4 million in the programme.
Muammar Al Katheeri, Executive Vice President of Engineering and Smart City at DSOA, said, "Through DSCA, we aim to support entrepreneurship, drive innovation and create solutions that will realise the vision of the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city on earth."
"The DSCA’s first two rounds received over 1,700 applications, supporting 20 start-ups from around the world. The interest of global smart city start-ups reflects the success of the programme. We are delighted to launch its third edition, which will help 10 more start-ups to benefit from Dubai’s experience in smart city transformation, as well as from Startupbootcamp’s network," he added.
Commenting on the programme, Ibrahim Seksek, Managing Director of DSCA, said, "We aim to support start-ups that desire to work in Dubai and the wider region. With a focus on smart cities, our programme provides unprecedented access to government and corporate partners, which will realise Dubai’s vision to become the leading smart city in the world."
The third edition of the three-month programme will run from late September 2019 to early January 2020. A DSCA team will select ten start-ups, which will be eligible to receive various benefits, including 15,000 Euros in cash per team to cover living expenses during the programme.
Once they complete the programme, the start-ups will join Startupbootcamp’s global alumni network, consisting of more than 700 companies, which have collectively raised 500 million Euros in investments from over 200 corporate partners and created around 3,000 jobs.
This year, the team aims to attract start-ups that specialise in 5G applications, connected stadiums, smart retail, smart airports and smart payments.
Startupbootcamp is also launching 'FastTracks', a series of one-day events that aim to bring together promising start-ups to potentially join the programme.
Speaking of the advantages offered by DSCA, Srinath Kandala, CEO of ScaleVR Technologies, an alumni of the programme, noted, "Being selected as one of the ten teams to join the second edition of DSCA empowered us to achieve our goal of entering the UAE market. The programme helped us start our business through connecting us with a network of industry leaders. We will leverage the knowledge gained from the programme’s mentors, partners and trainers to expand our business in the UAE and the wider region."
