The Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Centre (Dtec), the largest incubational centre of its kind in the Middle East wholly-owned by the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of DSOA.

 

Hosted under the patronage and presence of Sheikh Ahmed, the official opening ceremony was attended by Dr Mohammed Alzarooni, vice chairman and chief executive officer of DSOA, senior officials from Intel, IBM, Microsoft, SAP, and Thomson Reuters, as well as senior DSOA officials and representatives of various Dtec-based start-ups, said a statement.

 

“We are proud to open this mega incubational centre and remain confident it will provide an ideal environment for start-ups and tech-enterprises even while enhancing the status of entrepreneurship in the UAE and the wider region," said Sheikh Ahmed.

 

"The establishment of DTEC complements other initiatives undertaken by DSOA to support the directives of the government in building a sustainable economy and motivating young talent to adopt innovation, especially in the technology and digital economy sectors. At DSOA, we are keen to facilitate emerging entrepreneurs to transform their promising ideas into reality and support new and creative concepts in order to keep pace with the rapid developments in these dynamic areas,” he said.

 

Following the opening ceremony, Sheikh Ahmed toured the Dtec premises and met with senior officials from IBM and Microsoft who briefed him on their role in supporting entrepreneurs and start-up at Dtec. He also visited Dtec based Intel Internet of Things Ignition Lab.

 

Nassir Nauthoa, general manager at Intel Corporation Gulf Countries, said: "Global market opportunities and solutions around the Internet of Things continue to gain more prominence and larger interest. Similarly, we believe that the growth potential for IoT in the UAE market is immense given the move towards transitioning into a Smart City. 

 

"We are confident that Intel’s IoT Lab in Dtec will add great value for Dtec based entrepreneurs and start-ups and help them launch their innovative and creative ideas and turn them into real and successful businesses."

 

During his tour, Sheikh Ahmed met several entrepreneurs who have founded businesses at Dtec. In their interactions with him, the entrepreneurs commended Dubai Silicon Oasis for the advanced technological environment provided by the incubational centre, as well as the financial and consultation support, and the mentorship programs offered to start-ups and entrepreneurs.

 

The establishment of Dtec follows the success of the technology incubation centre Silicon Oasis Founders (SOF) that was launched in April 2012 to support and encourage local entrepreneurs in the IT sector, said the statement.

 

To date, SOF has supported more than 300 entrepreneurs with their business plans and invested financially in 18 businesses, it added. - TradeArabia News Service