Oman launches 'Space Accelerators Program' to boost local innovation
This initiative is a key component of the Ministry's broader efforts to implement the national space policy and executive programme. It specifically targets objectives such as economic diversification and capacity building, with the ultimate goal of facilitating the transfer and localisation of space technologies and services through national entities. The year-long programme will be delivered by Phoenix Space and Technology Company in collaboration with Exotopic, a UK-based firm renowned for its expertise in accelerator programmes.
The "Space Accelerators Program" is set to qualify ten local startups within the space sector, providing them with essential support to develop prototypes or commercially viable technological solutions. Beyond this, it seeks to enhance national skills in space innovation and establish a comprehensive network of local and international support for entrepreneurial ventures in the space industry.
Dr. Saud bin Hamoud Al Shaaili, Director General of Policies and Governance and Head of the National Space Program at the Ministry, emphasised that this initiative is a dedicated national programme aimed at accelerating the growth of local space startups. He stated that it will enable them to develop commercially feasible space services and solutions within an integrated environment that offers crucial technical guidance, entrepreneurial training, and access to a vital network of partners and experts. This, he noted, will support the creation of a high-value, innovation-driven space industry.
Dr. Al Shaaili further highlighted that the programme will foster a competitive environment, actively encouraging innovative solutions. The top three participating startups will be awarded incentive prizes, designed to help them establish sustainable operations that align with the strategic direction of the space sector. The programme's focus areas within the space industry are extensive, including communications, Earth observation and monitoring, geospatial analytics, navigation, drones, artificial intelligence and machine learning, advanced computing, data storage and preservation, the Internet of Things, spacecraft simulation environments, startup growth acceleration, and technological innovation.
© Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
2 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Nothing unveils Phone (3) and brand's first headphone in the UAE
At Dubai's iconic Museum of the Future, British electronics manufacturer Nothing officially unveiled its flagship Nothing Phone (3) and the brand's first-ever Headphone (1). In partnership with Creators HQ, the Middle East's first dedicated content creator hub, the launch underscored Nothing's growing focus on the creator economy, user-centric innovation, and a product ecosystem that merges function with flair. Founded just four years ago, Nothing has rapidly carved a space in the saturated smartphone market by doing what few dare — standing out. At the heart of its latest offerings is a commitment to make tech fun again. 'If anything, we had to be risk-takers,' said Akis Evangelidis, Co-founder of Nothing. 'But now, we've built an opportunity for ourselves — a seat at the table. With AI coming in, the smartphone experience can finally evolve in a way that benefits the user while staying in the background when needed.' The new Nothing Phone (3) embodies this shift. With its Glyph Matrix — an evolution of its signature LED interface — the phone offers playful and practical tools like a stopwatch, a solar clock, and app-specific notifications. Paired with the Snapdragon® 8s Gen 4 chipset, it delivers a 36% boost in CPU power and up to 16GB RAM. For Evangelidis, though, it's more than specs. 'Having a design that's polarising is a good thing. The Phone (3) is our answer to making tech feel personal again,' he said. Nothing's entry into over-ear audio arrives with a bang, and transparency. Developed in collaboration with British audio legend KEF, the Headphone (1) pairs crystal-clear sound with a futuristic design aesthetic that includes a transparent outer shell, memory foam cushions, and physical controls like the Roller, Paddle, and Bufton. 'From the tactile controls to the transparent construction, every detail is intentional,' said Adam Bates, Nothing's Head of Design. And it's about immersion. With spatial audio, head tracking, and AI-powered noise cancellation, the headphones are tailored to creators, audiophiles, and everyday users alike. Creators at the core The collaboration with Creators HQ is a signal of strategic alignment. 'Content creators love trying new things, and Nothing's slick design and AI integration really speak to them,' said Alia Al Hammadi, Deputy Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office and CEO of the 1 Billion Followers Summit. Al Hammadi is leading an ambitious goal to onboard 10,000 creators by 2027 through Creators HQ, with over 3,500 members already engaged. 'We're not just focused on content creators,' she explained. 'Filmmakers, writers, tech innovators, all of them are part of the ecosystem we're building.' Building a seamless, purpose-driven ecosystem While many brands chase volume, Nothing is playing the long game. 'We're not a commercial company chasing numbers,' said Rishi Kishor Gupta, Regional Director for Nothing in the Middle East and Africa. 'We want to launch products that are meaningful, purposeful, and more fun to use.' Gupta's favourite features include the Essential Space, an AI-powered digital assistant embedded in Nothing OS 3.5 that acts like a second brain; tracking memberships, appointments, and even reminding users to renew documents. 'It's more than tech; it's a lifestyle companion,' he said. As for ecosystem integration? 'That's the objective,' Rishi added. 'From headphones to phones, everything talks to each other. And this is just the beginning.' Pricing and availability in the UAE Ahead of the official retail launch on July 18, Nothing will kick off its #Drops100 campaign at Sharaf DG, Dubai Mall, on July 17 at 7pm, giving early adopters exclusive access to both the Phone (3) and Headphone (1). The offer is that if you purchase the Nothing Phone (3) priced at Dh3,299, you'll get the Headphone (1) at no additional cost. The products will be available in the UAE in black and white variants, with two configurations of the Phone (3): 12GB + 256GB, priced at Dh2,999 and 16GB + 512GB, priced at Dh3,299.
Zawya
2 minutes ago
- Zawya
Trendyol, Baykar CEO, ADQ and Ant International to develop fintech platform in Turkey
ANKARA: Turkey's Trendyol Group, Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar, Abu Dhabi's sovereign fund ADQ and Ant International have agreed to explore a potential joint fintech venture offering digital financial services in Turkey, the companies said on Wednesday. The four parties signed a memorandum of understanding to form a platform that would provide services including digital payments, loans, deposits, investments and insurance. The launch would be subject to regulatory approvals. The companies said the platform would target individuals and small businesses, with a particular focus on Trendyol's network of sellers. "The project aims to combine Trendyol's e-commerce infrastructure, Baykar's AI and cybersecurity tools and Ant's experience in financial technology," a statement said. Bayraktar, best known for leading Turkey's top drone manufacturer, said the initiative would rely on domestic infrastructure and aim for high security standards. Alibaba Group President Michael Evans, representing Trendyol's main investor, said the partnership reflected interest in Turkey's digital economy while ADQ's deputy CEO, Mansour AlMulla, cited the country's growth potential in the sector. Ant International said Turkey's large and digitally active population made it a significant market. The companies did not disclose an expected investment size. (Reporting by Ebru Tuncay in Ankara, Writing by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Zawya
2 minutes ago
- Zawya
Bahrain announces $17bln in US deals during Trump talks
WASHINGTON: Bahrain's crown prince announced on Wednesday plans to invest more than $17 billion in the United States at a meeting with President Donald Trump focused on trade, Iran and regional security issues. Under the plan, Bahrain was expected to sign a deal valued at about $7 billion for its national carrier, Gulf Air, to buy 12 Boeing aircraft with an option for six more and 40 General Electric engines, according to a White House official. "We're very happy to be announcing $17 billion worth of deals that are coming to the United States," said Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. "And this is real. These aren't fake deals." The announcement from Prince Salman came during an Oval Office visit on the heels of foreign investment deals Trump made during a trip to the Middle East in May. During a visit to Riyadh, Trump secured a $600-billion commitment from Saudi Arabia to invest in the United States and agreed to sell the Saudis an arms package worth nearly $142 billion. Sunni-ruled Bahrain is an important security partner of the United States, hosting the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet. It established ties with Israel in 2020 under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, driven in part by shared concerns over Shiite-majority Iran. Bahrain's exports face a 10% baseline tariff under Trump's trade policies but have been spared larger levies imposed on other countries' exports. Trump said the two men would privately discuss Iran, which is under pressure to resume nuclear talks with the U.S. as Washington and three major European countries have agreed to set the end of August as the deadline for a deal. Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities last month, saying that they were part of a program geared towards developing nuclear weapons. Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is purely for civilian purposes. The U.S. official said the new Bahrain deal will support 30,000 American jobs and was secured with help from Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Bahrain is expected to sign deals with Oracle and Cisco, with plans to replace Chinese servers with Cisco products, the official said. Bahrain also seeks to increase its investments in U.S. energy, tech, and manufacturing sectors. The official said the crown prince intends to deploy capital to increase U.S. domestic aluminum production, invest in U.S. LNG production to secure energy supplies and purchase cutting-edge AI chips, partnering with U.S. hyperscalers. During the visit, the crown prince signed various deals and memoranda of understanding confirming those arrangements. One of these memos seeks to advance peaceful nuclear partnership between Bahrain and the U.S. It was signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani during a State Department visit before the Oval Office meeting. Later this year, the king of Bahrain will visit Washington to finalize these agreements and solidify the progress made in building the two nations' economic prosperity, the U.S. official said. (Reporting by Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt; Additional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Jacqueline Wong, Rod Nickel and Cynthia Osterman)
