logo
UAE Launches Future 50 Initiative to Boost Innovation and Economic Growth

UAE Launches Future 50 Initiative to Boost Innovation and Economic Growth

Hi Dubai29-05-2025

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has launched the 'UAE Future 50' initiative, spotlighting 50 cutting-edge Emirati startups driving the country's innovation and economic diversification efforts.
The initiative, developed by the Government Development and the Future Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, is part of the broader Riyada entrepreneurship ecosystem. It highlights ventures across 15 strategic sectors including fintech, healthtech, edtech, space, sustainability, smart mobility, and the creative industries.
Sheikh Hamdan reaffirmed the UAE leadership's commitment to supporting national entrepreneurs and fostering a startup-friendly environment. He emphasized the role of Emirati innovators in shaping future industries and enhancing the UAE's global competitiveness, aligning with the long-term 'We the UAE 2031' vision.
The launch event gathered government officials, business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs, showcasing the selected startups and their contributions to the future economy. Emirati entrepreneur Faisal Belhoul delivered a keynote speech, underlining the importance of ambition, resilience, and innovation in entrepreneurship.
Minister of State for Government Development and the Future Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi called the initiative a testament to the UAE's global leadership in future readiness. She highlighted its role in positioning national talent at the forefront of transformative sectors.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy Abdullah Al Saleh added that the initiative will accelerate sustainable economic growth by empowering local talent and supporting ventures with high potential.
Building on the success of the Future 100 programme, UAE Future 50 aims to nurture a thriving innovation ecosystem and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs, reinforcing the nation's vision for a diversified and future-ready economy.
News Source: Emirates News Agency

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ministry of Economy and Tourism signs MoU with WORKSTUDIO
Ministry of Economy and Tourism signs MoU with WORKSTUDIO

Zawya

time14 minutes ago

  • Zawya

Ministry of Economy and Tourism signs MoU with WORKSTUDIO

Aiming to build an integrated circular economy project in the food and textile sectors in the country Bin Touq: The Ministry remains committed to advancing circular economy practices across the country. The new partnership is a strategic step towards consolidating the UAE's position as a leading hub for sustainable development. Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Economy and Tourism signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WORKSTUDIO CORPORATION, a Japanese company, to develop an integrated circular economy framework aligned with the UAE Circular Economy Agenda 2031. This strategic collaboration aims to enhance the sustainable management of natural resources, reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen the UAE's transition to a sustainable national economy. The MoU signing was held in Dubai in the presence of His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the UAE Circular Economy Council, and was signed by H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry, and Kazuhiro Hara, CEO of WORKSTUDIO Corporation. H.E. bin Touq said: 'The Ministry remains committed to advancing circular economy methodologies and principles across critical sectors such as food, manufacturing, sustainable transportation and green infrastructure. Our goal is to raise awareness about the importance of preserving natural resources, drive transformation in environmental and financial practices, and promote sustainable production and consumption. We aim to foster investment in natural resources and apply successful economic tools, in line with the wise leadership's vision to accelerate the shift towards a circular economy model based on sustainability and competitiveness.' His Excellency added: 'This partnership represents a strategic step towards expanding the prospects of cooperation in developing national initiatives and innovative circular policies in the country. It paves the way to strengthen the diversity and resilience of the national economy while reinforcing the UAE's leadership in sustainable development and innovation on both regional and global stages. This memorandum also aligns with the goals of the Year of Community 2025 by encouraging sustainable practices in various vital fields and building a cohesive, prosperous, and sustainable society.' The MoU aims to launch a project that includes developing an integrated model for the circular economy in the country, based on WORKSTUDIO's innovative system, PANECO®︎, which was developed in Japan and specializes in recycling textile and food waste in accordance with international best practices. This project supports the efficient use of resources and cost reduction by transforming textile waste into valuable materials and converting food waste into organic fertilizers. In doing so, it helps protect the environment and advance sustainable development. By adopting these innovative waste recycling solutions, the project also reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with burning waste - an improvement over traditional methods of disposing of unused clothing and food and aligns with the national policies that encourage the recycling of organic waste. The project will focus on developing recycling facilities in the country, training national cadres, and establishing a joint coordination committee to follow up on implementation and ensure the participation of both the government and private sectors. The new project seeks to build a collaborative system that brings together production companies, consumers, and manufacturers. It encourages eco-friendly manufacturing in the country, starting from waste collection and recycling all the way to treating it in innovative ways and transforming it into new usable products. The initiative aims to facilitate the participation of investors and stakeholders from the government and private sectors to support the stages of development and expansion across all seven emirates of the country, advancing circular economic solutions throughout the UAE. - Ends-

du Launches Cisco Academy for Emirati Talent
du Launches Cisco Academy for Emirati Talent

TECHx

time22 minutes ago

  • TECHx

du Launches Cisco Academy for Emirati Talent

Home » Latest news » du Launches Cisco Academy for Emirati Talent du, the telecom and digital services provider, has announced a major milestone by becoming the first telecom operator in the region to offer access to the Cisco Networking Academy. This move supports the UAE's Emiratization vision by equipping local talent with essential digital skills. The training focuses on key areas including AI, programming, cybersecurity, networking, and data science. The certification program is part of du's broader talent and development initiative, known as Future X. It is designed to empower young Emiratis with the technical knowledge needed to succeed in a tech-driven economy. The first cohort graduated with 14 Emirati participants earning Cisco certifications. du revealed that the next batch will include 52 UAE Nationals, reflecting a significant rise in engagement. Fatema Al Afeefi, Acting Chief People & Impact Officer at du, stated the company's strong commitment to empowering local talent through this strategic partnership with Cisco Networking Academy. The program offers three specialized tracks: Cybersecurity Track: Focuses on threat detection, monitoring, and securing networks. Networking Track: Covers hardware, OS, and network infrastructure using Cisco tools. Programming Track: Includes Python, IoT, and REST APIs for beginners. Each track is aligned with global standards to ensure job-ready skills for Emiratis. du reported that this effort aims to build a skilled workforce that supports national goals and positions the UAE as a global tech hub.

Dubai pioneers the future of mobility with region's first test flight of Joby Aerial Taxi
Dubai pioneers the future of mobility with region's first test flight of Joby Aerial Taxi

Al Etihad

time22 minutes ago

  • Al Etihad

Dubai pioneers the future of mobility with region's first test flight of Joby Aerial Taxi

30 June 2025 15:30 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)In a significant stride towards introducing Aerial Taxi services, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in cooperation with Joby Aviation, a leading developer of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, announced the region's first successful test flight of the Joby Aerial test flight was conducted at a designated desert test site in on this milestone, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said: 'Dubai continues to lead the way in shaping the future of mobility, guided by the strategic vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai."This achievement also reflects our commitment to placing the UAE at the forefront of transformative technologies that drive global progress. Further, the successful aerial taxi test flight demonstrates our determination to transform breakthrough technologies into practical solutions that enhance quality of life and set new international benchmarks for urban development.' His Highness added: 'As we work to realise the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, within the framework of the UAE's sustainable development vision, the integration of aerial mobility into our transport ecosystem is a step towards ensuring the city's infrastructure is built around the needs of future generations. Our initiatives aim to make life easier for people, creating new opportunities, and reinforcing Dubai's position as the best city in the world to live, work, and visit.' The test flight was witnessed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority; Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General, General Civil Aviation Authority; Ahmed Ali Al Balqeizi, Executive Director of the Aviation Safety and Environment Sector – Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; and Ibrahim Hussain Ahli, Executive Director – Dubai Air Navigation launch of the aerial taxi's first test flight, the first of its kind in the region, was part of a series of daily test operations aimed at evaluating the aircraft's performance within the local environment, in preparation for the commercial rollout of urban air mobility Joby aerial taxi is distinguished by its vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability. It is a sustainable, environmentally friendly vehicle powered entirely by electricity, generating zero operating emissions. Designed with a focus on safety, comfort, and speed, the aircraft incorporates the latest advancements in global aviation design features six rotors and four battery packs, enabling it to achieve a flight range of up to 160 km and a maximum speed of 320 km/ aerial taxi accommodates four passengers in addition to the pilot and operates at significantly lower noise levels compared to conventional helicopters. Thanks to its VTOL functionality, the aircraft is ideally suited for urban environments, requiring minimal horizontal space for take-off and landing at vertiports. Test FacilitiesThe dignitaries reviewed the test facilities developed in collaboration with Shamal Holding. These facilities include a dedicated vertiport for aerial vehicles, a hangar equipped with state-of-the-art systems for flight monitoring and tracking of the Aerial Taxi, and the latest electric charging technologies. The dignitaries received a briefing from Mr. JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, and Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency, on the project timeline and upcoming year 2026 will mark the launch of aerial taxi station operations near Dubai International Airport, during which the inaugural commercial aerial taxi flight is scheduled to take place. Smooth and Fast MobilityMattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) said: 'The launch of the air taxi's trial operation reflects the leadership's vision to advance sustainable and innovative mobility across all public and shared transport modes. It underscores Dubai's commitment to keeping pace with rapid global transformations and developing future-ready solutions to emerging mobility challenges. 'The aerial taxi will introduce a new premium service for residents and visitors seeking smooth, fast, and safe travel to key destinations across the city. A journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah, for example, is expected to take just 12 minutes, compared to approximately 45 minutes by car."The service will also strengthen integration with public transport systems and individual mobility options such as e-scooters and bicycles, enabling seamless multimodal travel and enhanced connectivity across the city, ensuring a smooth and convenient experience for all passengers.' Strategic PartnershipsFor his part, JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said: 'Dubai serves as a launchpad for a global revolution in mobility, and flying our aircraft here represents a pivotal step towards integrating aerial taxi services into the fabric of daily life around the world.' He added: 'Thanks to our forward-looking strategic partnership with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, we are helping shape a future where clean and quiet aviation becomes the new norm. At the same time, we are proud to reinforce the global presence of American innovation.'This achievement is the result of close collaboration and a strong relationship between Joby and the Roads and Transport Authority. It underscores the company's leading role in shaping the future of mobility and reaffirms the UAE's global leadership in adopting advanced air mobility solutions.' Service Launch AgreementAt the beginning of 2024, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority signed an agreement to launch the Aerial Taxi service in collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Skyports Infrastructure—a leading British company in the development of advanced air mobility infrastructure—and Joby Aviation. The agreement positions Dubai as the first city in the world to offer urban air mobility through an advanced network of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) infrastructure for aerial ability to commence operational testing in Dubai reflects the culmination of two years of flight trials in hot-weather conditions at Edwards Air Force Base in the United States, in addition to rigorous testing that demonstrates operational vision is built on a foundation of over 15 years of engineering excellence, more than 40,000 miles of test flights, and multiple successful piloted transition flights, along with the simultaneous operation of several aircraft. The achievements reinforce the company's momentum toward realising its goal of making clean, quiet, fast, and affordable aerial mobility an everyday reality.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store