Accenture and Microsoft Join Emirates Group and Dubai Tourism to Launch Intelak Hub
Merging the Intelak Incubator and Idea Lab with the Futurism Accelerator programme. Intelak Hub is now Dubai’s only aviation and tourism-focused start-up platform
Unique start-up hub will be led by principal partners: Emirates Group, Dubai Tourism, Accenture and Microsoft
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, 20 July 2020: Dubai is set to further accelerate entrepreneurial growth across the global aviation and tourism industry with the launch of Intelak Hub. Former programmes Intelak Incubator, Idea Lab and the Futurism Accelerator have been brought together under one brand to support ideation and early and late stage start-ups with the foundational structure, coaching, tools and resources needed to address the often complex business challenges present in these industries.
Intelak Hub has a consortium of global leaders that serve as its principal partners. Emirates Group with its established track record as world-class providers of air transport (Emirates) and air travel services (dnata); Dubai Tourism with its extensive knowledge and reputation in destination marketing; Accenture with its deep expertise shaping and connecting disruptive ecosystem start-ups to its clients, and Microsoft with its global scale and deep technology expertise in nurturing start-ups, will all provide mentorship to programme participants. Intelak Hub creates the citys only start-up platform dedicated to identifying innovative solutions across the aviation and tourism industries.
Intelak Hubs programmes consist of:Intelak Idea Lab, a three-week programme nurturing young Emirati talent as part of the UAEs vision to develop and support home-grown innovation and entrepreneurship;Intelak Incubator, a 12-week programme for early stage start-ups offering equity-free funding, market feasibility guidance, pitch deck advisement, and demo day showcases where Dubai is used as a proof-of-concept for their solutions;Intelak Accelerator, an eight-week programme for late stage start-ups looking to scale their businesses, offering comprehensive go-to-market counsel, access to partner ecosystems to test and implement their solutions, exhibition space and exclusive pitching and investor opportunities at GITEX Future Stars a premier technology event for the region.
Commenting on the launch,Yousuf Lootah, Executive Director - Tourism Development Investments, Dubai Tourism, said: "In line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai's vision to position Dubai as a preferred destination for global talents and entrepreneurs, we are excited to be taking a leadership role in promoting innovation at a time where the industry is facing more challenges than ever before. Launching Intelak Hub is one of the many ways Dubai Tourism is strategically investing in and committed to reinvigorating entrepreneurship in the global aviation and tourism sectors."
Alex Alexander, CTO Emirates Group, said: "The launch of Intelak Hub marks an exciting next stage in Dubai's premier programme for aviation and travel entrepreneurs. Dubai's success today as a global aviation and travel hub has been driven by the vision of its leaders, who have actively encouraged industry innovation and partnerships. The Emirates Group is proud to continue our journey with Intelak, and to see this program flourish since it began in 2016. Moving forward, we believe the Intelak Hub can play a key role in building the innovation pipeline for our industry, and further establishing Dubai the global hub for travel and aviation."
Norberto Cibien, Products industry lead for Accenture in the Middle East, said: "We are proud to join this important initiative to create transformative travel and tourism experiences and enhance Dubai's position as one of the leading hubs for business. Together with our partners, we have the opportunity to nurture new talent and develop breakthrough innovations."
"Dubai aspires to be a favourite destination for tech entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to reality and make it a global business," said Sayed Hashish, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. "Intelak Hub is envisioned to become a powerhouse to unleash the potential of budding start-ups and catalyse their success to tackle challenges and propel growth. We look forward to working alongside our partners and mentoring these home-grown innovators focusing on travel, tourism and aviation to push the envelope and bring their ideas to life, by harnessing some of the best-in-class technologies. The post-COVID world represents an opportunity for new innovation that helps the industry accelerate growth and job creation. Start-ups have become an undisputable innovation engine, and together with our forces combined we will empower them to achieve more."
Over the past four years, previously independent programmes Intelak Incubator, Idea Lab and the Futurism Accelerator have invested AED 1.4 million in equity-free funding to start-ups. Now united under Intelak Hub, these programmes will continue to invest in the start-up community, offering cohorts under the new brand. All cohort programmes will have a hybrid structure consisting of physical and digital components. Start-ups do not need to be based in Dubai to take part in the Incubator or Accelerator programmes. Applications for the 2020 programmes will be accepted during their open application windows; Intelak Incubator; 14, July 4, October, Intelak Accelerator; 26, July 6, September, Intelak Idea Lab; 1, October 10, November.
For more information on Intelak Hub and Intelak Hub programme application requirements visit: www.intelak.com
About Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism)
With the ultimate vision of positioning Dubai as the worlds leading tourism destination and commercial hub, Dubai Tourisms mission is to increase the awareness of Dubai among global audiences and to attract tourists and inward investment into the emirate. Dubai Tourism is the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubais tourism sector. It markets and promotes the Emirates commerce sector, and is responsible for the licensing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Brands and departments within the Dubai Tourism portfolio include Dubai Business Events, Dubai Calendar, and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment.
www.visitdubai.com
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About the Emirates Group
The Emirates Groups extensive and diverse international portfolio includes the worlds largest international airline, Emirates, and one of the largest combined air services provider in the world, dnata. Together with its joint venture businesses, the Group comprises more than 50 brands, employing a workforce that represent the best talent from over 170 nations.
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About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services in strategy and consulting, interactive, technology and operations, with digital capabilities across all of these services. We combine unmatched experience and specialized capabilities across more than 40 industries powered by the worlds largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations center. With 513,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture brings continuous innovation to help clients improve their performance and create lasting value across their enterprises.
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About Microsoft
Microsoft for Startups is the companys $500 million commitment to nurturing and guiding start-up partners and ecosystems, at all stages, to be successful using Microsoft tools through programs such as Microsoft Co-Sell, Microsoft ScaleUp and Microsoft Reactors. Managed by proven start-up entrepreneurs, the program aims to accelerate start-ups growth in 140 countriesby delivering access to innovative technology, go-to-market strategies and Microsofts vast network of enterprise customers and partners.
Raj Bhatt
Dubai, United Arab Emirates UAE
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. A must visit for every one !