News

Step Conference Announces Dates For 2023 Dubai Tech Festival

The popular technology expo will take place in Dubai’s Internet City and feature a retro future theme.

Published

1 year ago

December 22, 2022

step conference announces dates for 2023 dubai tech festival

Step Conference has announced dates for the 11th Edition of its popular technology festival for emerging markets, which will take place in Dubai’s Internet City. The expo will take place between 22-23 February 2023 in the largest technology hub in the MENA region, which is currently home to Fortune 500 companies, SMEs, and startups.

This year the conference will focus on exploring a “retro future”, where past styles and trends mix with cutting-edge technology. In a first for the popular event, consumer brands will showcase their products to more than 8,000 consumers at a special Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Hub. As well as catching a glimpse of upcoming tech innovation, participants will also be able to enjoy a packed program of events:

Start Track: Covering the tech startup scene and all things digital.
Fintech Track: A deep dive into banks, payment gateways, and fintech.
Future Track: Exploring futuristic transport and autonomous technology.
Digital Track: Bringing together brand managers and digital influencers.
Wellness Track: Covering topics and trends on wellbeing and fitness technology.
Earth Track: Exploring greentech, sustainability, and environmental impact.

“I’m delighted to announce the launch of the 11th Edition of our conference and to provide a platform for the tech industry to come together, discuss and debate the latest and future trends. We wanted to focus on six tracks where we see past trends developing and impacting the future. Exploring retro-futurism and the dynamic between past and future technologies will help to pave the way for what is yet to come,” says Ray Dargham, CEO of Step.

Also Read: How To Find The Best Remote Work Opportunities In The Middle East

The event host, Dubai Internet City, has been home to a tech community of global and local businesses and startups since 1999, and has helped to put the UAE at the center of global technology innovation. Events like Step create important funding and networking opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs and help to raise the profile (and value) of an already booming digital economy.

If you’re interested in visiting Step Conference 2023, head over to the official booking page to register for tickets.

News

Joby To Establish All-Electric Air Taxi Ecosystem Across The UAE

The comprehensive agreement with Abu Dhabi’s government includes a training program, infrastructure development, and a manufacturing presence.

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2024

Nour Nasir

joby to establish all-electric air taxi ecosystem across the uae

Joby Aviation

All-electric aircraft company Joby Aviation has secured three separate agreements with departments of Abu Dhabi’s government that lay the groundwork to develop and scale air taxi services in the Emirate and beyond.

The deal was signed at the recent DRIFTx thought-leadership and exhibition platform and gave Joby exclusive rights to not only operate air taxi services in Dubai but also unlock inter-emirate services between Abu Dhabi.

joby air taxi partnership abu dhabi

Joe Ben Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said: “Today’s agreement demonstrates the incredible momentum behind the adoption of clean flight across the UAE. We’re looking forward to delivering a fantastic experience for our future customers in Abu Dhabi and we’re excited to be unlocking the potential for zero-emissions flight between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. We’re grateful for the support and collaboration of our governmental partners and the entire ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and we remain deeply impressed by their commitment to building out a world-class aviation ecosystem in the Emirate”.

Joby’s all-electric aircraft went on display for the first time in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina at the DRIFTx event. The air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers and can reach speeds of 200 miles per hour (321 km/h). The zero-emission craft is said to have an extremely low acoustic footprint and can travel a maximum of 100 miles (161 km) on a single charge.

Also Read: Lebanese Newspaper Builds AI President To Beat Political Crisis

Once operational, Joby’s air taxi fleet would enable fast, clean travel across the UAE, with journeys between Abu Dhabi to Dubai taking just 30 minutes compared with two hours by car during peak times.

Joby continues to work closely with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to help the Emirates become a world leader in the introduction of air taxis. Additional testing and analysis will be required before inter-emirate travel becomes a reality, but the cutting-edge technology already appears to have great potential.