Expo Live lets innovators build on ideas

WINNERS TO GET GRANTS OF UP TO $100,000 EACH IN FOURTH CYCLE OF PROGRAMME

Creative solutions for social and environmental problems were showcased at the first-ever Expo Live Global Innovators Summit in Dubai yesterday.

Previous winners of Expo Live’s Innovation Impact Grant Programme (IIGP) discussed their innovations at the event, part of Expo 2020 Dubai’s global social impact programme.

Now in its fourth cycle, IIGP awards successful projects with grants of up to $100,000 (around Dh367,000) each.

Applications for the fourth cycle close on December 2.

The launch of the IIGP’s fourth cycle coincided with the three-day inaugural summit, which ended yesterday. The event was attended by ‘global innovators’ from nearly 40 countries who received grants.

It included UAE-based startup Smart Labour, a mobile app that helps blue-collar workers improve their reading and writing skills, while offering rewards such as vouchers.

Since securing Expo Live’s support, Smart Labour has partnered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation to implement the app across the country and develop it further. The firm has also signed a contract with Dubai Taxi and more than 3,500 drivers have already used the app to take courses.

Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, said: “The true legacy of Expo 2020 Dubai will be measured by the connections it creates, the people it inspires and the future it builds. Expo Live also enables Expo 2020 Dubai to deliver on its promise of social innovation and to inspire future generations. Through initiatives such as [IIGP], we have an opportunity to empower individuals and communities around the world to solve pressing challenges.”

Yousuf Caires, Vice-President — Expo Live, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “Expo Live is proud to support passionate visionaries who are having a positive social and environmental impact all over the world. All 70 Global Innovators reaffirm our belief that innovation can come from anywhere, to everyone.

“We know there are more innovators impacting their communities in all corners of the globe and we encourage them to apply for funding, assistance and exposure.” ■

Pictures: Clint Egbert/Gulf News Global innovator Fernando Botelho addresses the media at the Expo Live Global Innovators Summit in Dubai yesterday in the presence of Yousuf Caires (second from left). Global innovators Siddharth Hande and Abu Muadh are present.