Gitex 2020: Autism startup takes home Gitex Future Stars top award

Jade Autism, a startup app that stimulates and develops child cognitive function, has been announced as the winner of the 2020 GITEX Future Stars’ ‘Supernova Challenge’ – bagging the top prize of $50,000.

Jade Autism is a platform that develops gamified therapeutic solutions for children and adolescents with cognitive disabilities. Originally from Brazil, the startup is now based in Abu Dhabi’s Hub71. It beat 73 other startups from 30 countries for the top prize.

The startups competed in 12 different categories, culminating in a round of pitching which took place on-site at Dubai World Trade Centre on December 6 and 7. Other finalists came from France, India, Israel, Slovakia, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

One Moto from the UAE, which specialises in electric vehicle last-mile solutions, and Radix Technologies from Israel, which focuses on classroom management solutions, won the runner-up prizes of $10,000 each.

BeeFree Agro from Israel, a drone-based autonomous herding system capable of moving large herds over extensive pastures, was the bonus runner-up winner that also won $10,000.

Read: Gitex 2020: 40th version of the technology exhibition opens in Dubai

This year’s edition of the Challenge introduced four new vertical prizes, including Best Innovative Covid-19 solution, Best Martech Startup, Best Social and Environmental Impact and Best Fintech Startup – alongside returning categories Emirati Startup, Ai Startup, International Startup, Youth, and Female-led Startup.

Radix Technologies was awarded the title of the Best Innovative Covid-19 solution. French startup Switchy, an innovator in social media link optimisation, was named as the Best Martech Startup, while Jade Autism bagged the title of the Best Social & Environmental Impact. BC Labs from South Korea was adjudged as the Best Fintech Startup.

“GITEX Future Stars has provided a critical and opportune live, in-person event for startups that has allowed them to reconnect with the funding ecosystem after the hiatus inflicted by the pandemic,” said Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice president, Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre. “It is a privilege to support startups by reconnecting them to vital stakeholders and industry influencers who are looking for newfound opportunities created by the disruption of the pandemic.”