Dubai-based technology start-up accelerator Turn8, which is founded by DP World, has added 10 new companies, bringing its portfolio size to 32 companies.

Companies in the new round represent a number of technology innovations including peer-to-peer marketplaces, on-demand delivery, facilitation of online and offline connections, paperless e-ticketing for events, and healthcare.  

Turn8 is an early stage seed accelerator which encourages innovation and entrepreneurship globally, starting with Dubai. Teams are selected from dozens of hopefuls that pitch their ideas at Turn8 events and via an online application.

Selected start-ups are invited to Dubai for the Turn8 acceleration programme, which takes place over four months and includes training, mentorship and an investor demo day for graduates. Each team receives $30,000 in services and seed capital to help them launch their new business.

Kamal Hassan, Turn8 accelerator program director, said: “This is the fourth round of teams that we have hosted in Dubai, and with each round we see more involvement and excitement from the entrepreneurial and investor community, both locally and internationally. It is exciting to see the ecosystem for entrepreneurs come together and watch Dubai grow into a start-up hub.”

The start-up companies that will take part in Turn8 Round 4 include:

Paaltao - a peer-to-peer marketplace for handmade, natural and vintage products from craftsmen and artisans

Swappaholics - an interactive online portal that facilitates the trading of items of similar or equal value

Good Game Network – a web application that matches video gamers of similar skills in competition

Keex – a mobile application that uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to connect people with each other offline

Rishar - a social platform for travelers and commuters that uses big data analysis to improve the ridesharing experience

Melltoo - a peer-to-peer social network for buyers and sellers of second hand items including smartphones, furniture and automobiles

KeepVision - a mobile application designed to monitor school children's vision using a smartphone

Presella - an event management platform that provides paperless e-ticketing for the MENA region

CABit - a collaborative delivery solution that enables at-home shoppers to have purchases delivered by taxi from specific retailers

NextMart - an online platform that allows consumers to select and order grocery and other consumer products from a website, and receive the goods from the nearest local supermarket or a grocery store. – TradeArabia News Service