Page 231 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - AUGUST 2024

9/2/24, 2:51 PM HE Alia Al Mazrouei Visits Khalifa Innovation Centre, In5 Business Incubator And Masdar Free Zone
'Masdar City': A Hub of Innovation and Technology

During her visit to the free zone in Masdar City, Her Excellency met with Ahmed Baqhoum,
CEO of Masdar City. The Masdar team provided an overview of the city's recent

achievements, emphasising advancements in emerging technologies. They outlined Masdar's
focus on six key sectors: space, energy, life sciences, agricultural technologies, AI, and

mobility.

Her Excellency gained insights into both current and future plans designed to support start-
ups and SMEs. She learned about the diverse range of options and co-working spaces

available for establishing businesses and various activities. The visit underscored how
entrepreneurs can take advantage of the opportunities and resources available in the area,

which is considered an ideal hub for innovation, technology, and emerging businesses. The
zone is home to both local and international companies, along with leading global

organisations across a variety of vital sectors.

The discussion also highlighted the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, including the struggle

to secure funding and obtaining specialised equipment needed to develop innovative
technologies. Both parties emphasised the necessity of enhancing collaboration to create a

joint programme that supports the adoption of emerging technologies and develops tools to
help establish forward-looking companies.

'Khalifa Innovation Center': An incubator for Deep Technology

During her visit to the Khalifa Innovation Centre, part of Khalifa University of Science and

Technology, Her Excellency met with HE Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of the University.
The Centre's team highlighted their key initiatives to support entrepreneurs and outlined their

strategic objectives. Notably, the Khalifa Innovation Centre is the country's first incubator
dedicated to 'Deep Tech,' offering startups a comprehensive network to facilitate market

access. The Centre also arranges promotional tours to other universities and hosts
networking sessions where entrepreneurs can share ideas about the business landscape.
Furthermore, the Centre runs competitions for pitching startup projects, providing

entrepreneurs with opportunities to secure funding for their businesses.

In their meeting, both parties emphasised the significance of boosting innovation outputs at

Khalifa University and aiding the UAE's advancement in the Global Innovation Index. They
noted that this could be accomplished by concentrating on the tangible results and outputs of
the innovation ecosystem. Furthermore, they discussed various challenges hindering

https://menafn.com/1108605384/HE-Alia-Al-Mazrouei-Visits-Khalifa-Innovation-Centre-In5-Business-Incubator-And-Masdar-Free-Zone 3/4