News

Flat6Labs Is Seeking The Next Big Levant Region Startups

The program will focus on women, minorities, and internally-displaced entrepreneurs.

Published

2 years ago

March 9, 2023

Nour Nasir

Flat6Labs

Flat6Labs, the MENA venture capital and accelerator, hopes to boost underserved demographics based in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and the Levant region. Announced this week, Flat6Labs’ program will focus on women, minorities, and internally-displaced entrepreneurs.

Open to people aged 18-45, Flat6Labs is searching for entrepreneurs in “education, fintech, financial inclusion, healthcare technology, agriculture, environment, and information and communication technology”.

The program will comprise three main tracks: StartMashreq Academy, the Growth Support Program, and the Incubation program, with the latter featuring interactive sessions, seminars, training courses on specialized topics, and articles from leading regional experts.

Also Read: Nearly All Saudi Gen Z & Millennials Will Be AR Users By 2025

“The Arab world, and the Levant region in particular, has always been full of promising young people with big ambitions. Unfortunately, many of the youth in our region lack access to the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed. Through this initiative, we hope to inspire an entrepreneurial movement and provide the tools and resources necessary to nurture that movement,” says Yehia Houry, Flat6Labs Chief Programs Officer.

For the startup incubation part of the program, four cycles will take place, helping participants to build business plans and growth strategies, along with various mentorship sessions.

News

“AI Seal” Certification Now Required For Dubai Gov Partnerships

The new mandatory certification is designed to build trust in AI companies and create a reliable network of providers for government and public collaboration.

Published

19 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Nour Nasir

ai seal certification now required for dubai gov partnerships

Dubai Media Office

Dubai has introduced the Dubai AI Seal, a certification designed to establish trust in artificial intelligence (AI) companies and solutions. This initiative, directed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, aims to create a reliable network of AI providers which government entities and businesses can collaborate confidently.

Companies must now obtain the AI Seal to qualify for UAE or Dubai government contracts. The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), which developed the certification, sees it as a competitive edge for companies looking to participate in key national projects. Once certified, businesses will be permitted to showcase the seal across their websites and marketing materials, signaling their credibility and dependability.

The evaluation process will consider six main criteria: the company’s services and operations, the number of employees specializing in AI, ongoing and future projects, as well as existing partnerships with public and private sector entities.

dubai ai seal certification

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, which oversees the DCAI, commented on the initiative’s potential: “This initiative will help create powerful partnerships between the public and private sectors, locally, regionally, and globally. It will help drive new economic opportunities by leveraging AI to serve better the economy, society, and the future we aspire to”.

Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East

The Dubai AI Seal’s goals include providing a clear framework for verifying AI providers, fostering business opportunities for AI companies, and acknowledging the industry’s strategic importance to Dubai’s economy. The initiative emphasizes AI’s role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening collaboration between government bodies and technology firms.

All technology companies operating in Dubai and offering AI-related services or products are eligible to apply for the certification at no cost through the official website.