Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 launches second edition of ‘The Outliers’ for startups

Hub71 has launched the second edition of The Outliers programme, bringing together corporate and government partners, including Aldar, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT) and Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), and Thales to present business and operational challenges for tech startups to solve.

The annual programme enables startup collaboration with major corporations and government departments across Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy, offering founders the ability to respond with technology-led approaches that address their challenges. Startups will have the opportunity to customise their product to support the organisation’s business objectives, develop commercial deals, and gain up to Dhs100,000  in value to fund the development of their proof of concept (POC).

The second edition of The Outliers features seven challenges from five leading organisations, including Aldar, DCT Abu Dhabi, DoH and Thales. For the first time, a dedicated category has been created for unicorns to take part in The Outliers programme, with Cars24, an e-commerce platform for used vehicles valued at $1.84bn joining this edition.

This year’s challenges seek to harness next-generation technologies, including Web3 to help these organisations gain a competitive advantage and future-proof their operations.

Through an eight-week programme, successful startups will work closely with each organisation to develop a viable POC and customise their product to support the partner organisations’ commercial objectives. As part of accelerating startups’ potential to scale, the programme also allows founders to further establish product-market fit.

Elodie Robin-Guillerm, head of growth and strategy at Hub71, said: “Beyond fundraising, startups also need to be able to secure commercially viable contracts and partnerships with the business community and government that are increasingly embracing entrepreneurial minds. The Outliers program responds to the demand for the public and private sectors to accelerate their digital transformation processes that increases efficiency and strengthens long-term competitiveness. This mutually beneficial programme is one of Hub71’s many initiatives that enables founders to create true impact and address pressing issues affecting strategically important sectors driving our economy.”

The Outliers’ challenges  

With the advancements of Web3 technologies including artificial intelligence, internet of things and wearable devices, DCT, which is presenting two challenges this year, is seeking to utilise advanced technologies and the most efficient solution to better understand tourist behaviours while visiting attractions or shopping in Abu Dhabi to help inform future marketing campaigns. Similarly, DCT is focused on using Web3 technologies to uncover what the future of tourism could look like in Abu Dhabi.

In healthcare, DoH is looking to reduce waiting times across its healthcare facilities and enhance patient flow. Ultimately, DoH is seeking ways to reduce operational costs without compromising the quality of care that Abu Dhabi’s healthcare system has been renowned for. The solution would improve the patient experience within its healthcare facilities, regardless of the form of care patients are seeking.

Thales, the global technology leader is investing in digital and “DeepTech”– Big Data, artificial intelligence, connectivity, cybersecurity and quantum technology. The company aims to engage startups to develop a consolidated low airspace and urban air mobility system dedicated to the safety of drones and the identification of threats. Through digital platforms that ensure real time global integration, Thales aims to address future security issues around the increased adoption of drones in cities.

Aldar wants to implement strong design solutions that solve problems for its customers and for the community with sustainability at the core.

Cars24 is exploring developing a seamless customer experience by making the customer pay just once for the entire cart value and divide payments across multiple partners in real-time. The unicorn is looking for ways to use digital platforms to sell a car without a test drive and eliminating the need for a test drive during the process of purchasing a car.

In recent news, Hub71 and e& enterprise, part of e& (formerly known as Etisalat Group), have launched the region’s first AI Center of Excellence (AI CoE) in Abu Dhabi.

The AI CoE will provide a platform for AI solutions to be built and scaled from Abu Dhabi. By offering resources and expertise, the center is said to transform the future of AI, support a thriving innovation ecosystem, foster local talent, and boost the country’s socio-economic growth.

Read: Hub71 and e& enterprise to launch UAE’s first AI Center of Excellence