Sheikh Hamdan launches Dubai Future Solutions challenge to spur innovation

A new initiative called Dubai Future Solutions has been launched in the emirate which will feature a series of challenges that are open to scientists, designers, inventors, universities, research centres, companies and startups from around the world to create innovative solutions for improving people’s lives.

The initiative was launched on Monday by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF).

Aimed at developing solutions to challenges faced by vital sectors especially energy, transportation, health, education, AI and data, the initiative allows innovators to test their ideas within Dubai’s integrated innovation ecosystem.

DFF has allocated prizes totaling $10m for selected projects. A specialised committee comprising experts in various sectors will evaluate the entries according to a set of criteria, including quality, scalability for development and practical application, economic feasibility and adaptability to changing requirements.

.@HamdanMohammed launches Dubai Future Solutions, a global initiative aimed at creating innovative solutions for improving people’s lives.https://t.co/ss7NBQx1RJ pic.twitter.com/Xqe0gz33Ko

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) October 11, 2021

Successful ideas will be a starting point for creating new sectors, economies and markets and building global partnerships based on the exchange of experience and knowledge transfer in the field of technology.

The first round of Dubai Future Solutions is the “Extreme Weatherproof Batteries Challenge” that focuses on improving the performance and durability of batteries in harsh weather, thus enhancing their use in sectors such as space or oil and gas, and areas with extreme weather conditions.

The challenge responds to the world’s increasing dependence on batteries, whether in drones, portable devices, electric cars or spacecraft, which has created the need to come up with new sustainable solutions to generate and store clean energy. Companies and research centres across the globe are aiming to develop cheaper, denser, lighter and more powerful batteries.

“Dubai Future Solutions aims to accelerate the implementation of emerging technologies in designing its future. The launch of the initiative reflects the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to scale up Dubai Future Foundation’s successful experience in acceleration programmes, innovative projects, and embedding a testing and innovative mindset, and transition this from a local to a global level,” said Sheikh Hamdan.

In an initiative modelled around a similar theme of spurring innovation within the emirate, Sheikh Hamdan launched a new integrated digital platform called Dubai Next in May this year to allow youth innovators and entrepreneurs of any nationality in the emirate to secure funding to launch their projects. Dubai Next offers crowdfunding solutions, enabling the community to participate in supporting emerging projects and in turn promotes growth of enterprises. It is being touted as an ideal platform for students and innovators to present their projects to potential investors.

Read: Sheikh Hamdan unveils new crowdfunding platform in Dubai for youth entrepreneurs