Local content is at its innovative best
dubai — From immersive storytelling to a robot challenging humans in basketball, the clear message from Dubai Internet City (DIC) isn’t just about technology — it’s more about the fact that these innovations are coming from nowhere else but locally-nourished firms.
“From software development, making content from the ground up, and other innovations, we look forward more to things that are amazing,” Ammar Al Malik, DIC’s executive director, told Khaleej
Times in an interview at Gitex Technology Week 2018.
“But we shouldn’t be only looking into what kind of companies are here, but what innovation is actually coming from this region.”
Al Malik, speaking at DIC’s sprawling pavilion at Gitex, stressed the importance of attracting more homegrown firms to come forward and realise their ideas.
Among the companies showcasing their wares are Blink Studios, which “transports” people into one of Microsoft’s data centres through an augmented reality portal experience. Mission 828, the virtual reality game simulating going around the Burj Khalifa using the HTC Vive VR headset, has been beefed up with a new wireless adapter. And there’s even a mechanical arm that’s capable of shooting basketballs into a hoop, waiting for someone to challenge it.
This is all part of the DIC pavilion’s focus this year: evolving into a place where people can experience more of the new innovations coming from homegrown talent.
“You have to create things for this region, from this region,” he says, pointing to the likes of online marketplace Souq.com and ridehailing firm Careem, companies that are coming up, “tackling regional issues and tapping into regional opportunities”.
“We want to focus on what innovations are actually coming from DIC.”
DIC is providing this opportunity for budding firms. The hub has attracted over Dh7.8 billion in funding since it was launched, while more than 140 companies are in DIC’s startup platform, in5.
A DIC study also showed interesting statistics. Al Malik said that 58 per cent of DIC companies have a year-on-year growth of 50 per cent. And of these, 90 per cent say they want to expand today.
“Our strategy in Dubai is to be an innovation-led and knowledgebased economy, but the fact is that you cannot reach that without talent and without people,” Al Malik said.
Which is the reason why Al Malik lauded the involvement of some of tech’s big names at DIC: the region’s premier hub for technology is home to some of the best and brightest tech startups, but a lot of major firms have been giving them a huge lift.
Intel, for example, has assisted DIC firms by pitching in over $120,000 in credit to use their system.
“Our talent is being developed by the participation of bigger clients,” he said. “We have some of the best in the region; they support us by providing [startups] mentorship, training programmes, connections and contact with investors.”
Al Malik also said that DIC has successfully delivered phase one of the Innovation Hub. Once completed, it will have 1.8 million sqft of retail and office space, and will be “a place where people can come together and innovate”, he says.
He also confirmed that DIC will be signing memoranda of understanding with a number of countries at Gitex in order to attract more organisations to the Dubai hub. All these are part of DIC’s efforts to promote an ecosystem in which everyone can help each other out in coming up with the next generation of innovations.
“When you focus on people and develop this ecosystem at DIC, you are sure to get innovation,” Al Malik says.
“Technology has to be fastpaced; it is changing, but what’s important is what will not change is an ecosystem… you still need a place for people to be innovative.”
You have to create things for this region, from this region
Ammar Al Malik, DIC’s executive director