startAD, entrepreneurship platform that supports start-ups, has invited innovative start-ups to apply for UAE’s first hardware Venture Launchpad, an immersive 10-day entrepreneurship programme at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD).

The programme will help start-ups develop a scalable, repeatable, and capital efficient venture. The programme will take place from December 4 to 13, while the deadline to apply is set for November 15.

The programme is open to any early-stage hardware start-up and is free of charge to accepted teams. It will culminate in a demo day where finalists will showcase their start-ups to investors, corporate partners, media, and the UAE start-up community. Finalists at the demo day will win a prototyping grant and be considered for investment and mentoring by startAD and will have the opportunity to travel to Shenzhen, China to get a firsthand look at the hardware ecosystem.

“There is a growing interest in this space. We look forward to making Abu Dhabi the centre for innovation in hardware and to help start-ups graduating from the programme create global impact,” said Ramesh Jagannathan, managing director of startAD and vice provost for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at NYU Abu Dhabi.

In addition to refining their prototypes, start-ups accepted into the programme will gain a foundational understanding of design thinking methodologies, development of a go-to-market strategy, financial planning including valuation and funding as well as the chance to connect with manufacturing sources and prototyping labs in China.
 
“Unlike software, where you can build your product from anywhere in a few hours, hardware makers need a platform with access to cutting-edge simulation tools, prototyping assistance, exposure to the manufacturing and supply chain processes, and business, technology, and industry-specific mentoring to iterate quickly to get off the ground. If you are entering the Mena market, domain-specific, value-added guidance is critical. The hardware venture launchpad provides start-ups with the resources, tools, and network to accelerate significantly in a short time span,” Jagannathan added.

Participants will have the opportunity to build their prototype at Al Warsha, the startAD lab equipped with the latest in prototyping tools, including 3D printers, laser cutters, PCB Printers and an assortment of hand tools along with guidance from startAD’s innovation engineer.
 
“Technology such as 3D printing and Arduino have disrupted hardware similar to how open source disrupted software. Today, anyone with an idea can make intelligent hardware as long as they have access to the technology. At startAD, we are excited to support deep technology start-ups that will contribute to the diversification of the economy of the UAE” said Erkki Aaltonen, executive director at startAD. – TradeArabia News Service