Meta, Startupbootcamp partner to empower MENA startups

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Meta and Startupbootcamp, a startup accelerator with over 1,600 successful startups, recently announced a strategic partnership to empower local startups in the MENA region through cutting-edge AI technologies.

The initiative, Llama Design Drive, aims to address the region’s specific needs by launching a series of intensive programmes.

Llama Design Drive will consist of three four-week sprints across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Each cohort will feature capacity-building workshops and mentorship sessions to empower participating startups.

Partnerships with industry leaders, including the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Chalhoub Group, and Dubai Holding, will guide the definition of design challenges and explore innovative AI-driven solutions.

Leveraging Meta’s LLM Llama 3.1

Using Meta’s open-source large language model, Llama 3.1, the programme will enable MENA startups to develop products targeting real-world challenges in mobility, aviation, energy distribution, retail and real estate.

“This programme not only promotes the adoption of AI technologies to develop solutions for corporate challenges but also facilitates connections between startups, corporates, and industry experts to expand networks and gain valuable knowledge and technical skills,” explained Ibrahim “Abe” Seksek, CEO MENA at Startupbootcamp.

Joulan Abdul Khalek, policy programmes manager for Africa, the Middle East, and Turkiye at Meta, emphasised the significance of the initiative: “Llama Design Drive is a great example of how open source can bring people together to co-create meaningful AI solutions. By doing so, we hope to cultivate a thriving community of tech talent across the region, working with them to unlock the potential of these exponential technologies to address real-world challenges.”

Startups recruited into the programme will have the opportunity to be fast-tracked into a global programme sponsored by Meta, with the chance to receive up to $500,000 to support further development of their products.

In absolute terms, the Middle East is expected to accrue 2 per cent of the total global benefits of AI by 2030, with an expected annual growth of 20-34 per cent in the contribution of AI to GDP across the region.

Read: Abu Dhabi is MENA region’s fastest-growing emerging startup hub, reveals study