Dubai: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF), an initiative launched by UAE Ministry of Finance to support innovation in the UAE, hosted its first-ever in person Investor Demo Day for its graduating cohort of the Innovation Accelerator Program.
The Demo Day served as a platform for MBRIF members, representing a number of priority sectors including, Health, Technology, Water, Clean Energy, Education and Transport to show case their innovation and capabilities.
Over 90 attendees were present at the Demo Day including investors, partners and MBRIF Advisory Committee members, where the members pitched their unique business model in order to highlight how their product is poised to disrupt and advance the UAE market. Networking sessions followed the demos, where interested investors interacted with the members to learn more about their proposals.
Commenting on the Demo Day, Fatima Al Naqbi, Chief Innovation Officer at the Ministry of Finance, and official representative of the MBRIF, said: “We are extremely proud of our cohort of innovators and the high-quality solutions they have brought forward to strengthen UAE’s position as a leading innovation hub. The MBRIF Accelerator Program is here to equip our members with the tools they need to grow and connect with the right corporate partners, helping them realize their commercial and expansion plans.”
The sixteen MBRIF members who presented include:
- Hayi – A social network for neighbourhoods
- Works – Advanced Enterprise Grade No-Code Platform
- Direct Debit – A digital platform offers low cost digital and legal payment solution
- Dal Global – A digital platform for Impact Investment.
- The Fitting Room – A bespoke digital fashion marketplace
- Krispr – A network of plug & play indoor farms,
- Hawa Water – premium drinking water harvested from the sky
- Ecoloo – an award winning biological treatment solution
- FortyGuard – a cooling platform to reduce street-level outdoor temperatures
- CupMena – Agri-Solutions and Agri-Products from the Spent Coffee Ground
- Cognisigns – Digital screening for early diagnosis and preventive medicine (autism, giftedness, depression and Parkinson’s disease).
- I Hear You – A digital platform that converts text/speech to sign language
- Access Care – an “Oral to Overall Health” Management Service Organization (MSO)
- Count’d – health and personalized nutrition platform
- Terrax – upcycling waste into multi-use durable products
- CamCom – AI powered platform for quality assurance
Over the years, the MBRIF Accelerator program has significantly contributed towards bolstering the innovation ecosystem in the UAE. Since the inception of the program in December 2018, the Accelerator has brought innovators from diverse sectors of the economy such as Technology, Healthcare, Education, Transportation, Clean Energy, Water and Space among others. The Accelerator places emphasis on nurturing and growing local entrepreneurs to advance the innovation in the UAE.
About the MBRIF:
The Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) is a federal initiative launched by the Ministry of Finance and is operated by Emirates Development Bank. Since its launch in 2016, the MBRIF has supported innovators through its first program, the Guarantee Scheme, which offers members access to affordable funding through a government-backed guarantee and without taking equity.
The MBRIF’s second program, the MBRIF Accelerator, was launched in December 2018. Aligned with the UAE National Innovation Strategy, the initiative aims to enhance growth potential of innovative businesses shaping the future of UAE’s economy. The MBRIF Accelerator offers world-class services and coaching to member companies to accelerate their business, elevate capabilities, unlock value and achieve scale.
Additionally, the MBRIF partners with the public and private sector to help facilitate growth, provide support, create opportunities and pave the way to success for its member companies in the UAE.
