DUBAI, UAE, July 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Emirates airline joins the Dubai Future Accelerators 

Region's first Humanitarian Accelerator combines technology for good 

Program develops regulatory friendly environment to support deep technology 

Dubai is calling on the world's most innovative companies to help find solutions to the biggest challenges of the 21^st century. The third cycle of its flagship Dubai Future Accelerators program, run by the Dubai Future Foundation, focuses on building partnerships and developing regulatory friendly environments that support deep technology start-ups with the potential to radically improve the world.

     (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/536319/Dubai_Future_Foundation.jpg )
  

Beginning in October this year, government entities and technology partners will join forces to develop innovative solutions for healthcare, education, travel, energy, water, and more. The program integrates 4th Industrial Revolution-inspired technologies such as AI, robotics, blockchain, 3D printing, genetics, and virtual reality, with the government providing regulatory support to develop pilot projects at the city-wide scale.

The first two editions of the program recorded overwhelming success, attracting more than 4,000 applications from the world's most innovative companies. Out of the 65 accepted companies in the first two cycles, 74% signed a with a government partner to work on pilot projects.

In the third cycle, the program will launch a new humanitarian accelerator in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Initiatives. This is a first of its kind in the Arab World that will connect technology start-ups with UAE's humanitarian sector to multiply their positive impact. It will focus on creating job opportunities for refugees, educating refugee children and increasing Arabic literacy, as well as testing new solutions for water sanitation in underprivileged countries.

Emirates is also joining the Accelerators to drive new opportunities in the aviation sector, using autonomous robotics and personalisation to transform the airline into a, greener, more responsive and sustainable platform for global travel.

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Accelerators, said: "Over the past year, we have enjoyed remarkable success in terms of the enthusiasm of participating government entities and the number of partnerships signed with pioneering companies. This year, we will see new partners come on board to collaborate with global innovators to create advanced working models and future solutions. This will consolidate the UAE's - and Dubai's - position as a leading test bed of government support for technologies that tackle the biggest challenges of our time."  

# For more information on the challenges and the application process, please visit http://www.dubaifutureaccelerators.com

Dubai Future Foundation  

Dubai Future Foundation was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in April 2016, as an independent transformation unit that helps shape the future of Dubai.

The Foundation cooperates with governmental and private entities to co-create the future of strategic sectors in the medium and long term, through the Future Agenda, which focuses on supporting individuals and institutions.

Email: fatma.bujasaim@dubaifuture.gov.ae

SOURCE Dubai Future Foundation