News

Hub71 Accepts 16 New Tech Startups To Join Its Community

The selected startups specialize in industries including fintech, healthtech, foodtech, cleantech, and logistics.

Published

2 years ago

August 31, 2022

Nour Nasir

Hub71

Launched back in 2019 as a means of bringing together investors, organizations, and strategic partners, the tech ecosystem known as Hub71 has recently accepted 16 new startups into its fold from the USA, UK, Italy, and more to further the progress of innovation and entrepreneurship in Abu Dhabi. The recent news comes as the company plans to expand its operational reach, scaling into other markets along with the UAE.

Over the next two years, the new startup additions will join Hub71’s incentive program that will include large-scale funding, access to a rich ecosystem of academic and corporate investors, and potential government partners. The latest round of financing at Hub71 has raised $467 million overall and will help drive progress in diverse industries, including fintech, healthtech, cleantech, edtech, foodtech, and logistics.

“Our value-driven programs continue to attract high-tech startups to Abu Dhabi that are driving transformation within key sectors of the economy. As partners to over 170 startups in our community, we always strive to connect founders to our global network of blue-chip corporations, government bodies, and investors. With our ability to unlock real growth opportunities for founders, we expect this new cohort to gain tremendous traction over the next few months within the vibrant tech ecosystem that Abu Dhabi offers,” says Badr Al-Olama, Acting CEO of Hub71.

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Hub71’s startups include the Green Future Project, a platform supporting climate projects that track and trace environmental impact, Amwal, a platform enabling people to pay or send money based on their phone number, and Abhi, a fintech startup that lets salaried employees draw on their wages when needed.

In the first half of 2022, Hub71 helped startups land deals worth $700 million in revenues through the ecosystem’s corporate partners. Hub71 has also helped create around 1000 jobs.

News

Viasat Satellite Messaging Tech Showcased In Saudi Arabia

The direct-to-device (D2D) demonstration highlighted the technology’s potential to revolutionize remote communication.

Published

4 days ago

November 28, 2024

Nour Nasir

viasat satellite messaging tech showcased in saudi arabia

Satellite communications firm Viasat announced yesterday that it had completed its first demonstration of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity technology in Saudi Arabia. The live broadcast took place during the “Connecting the World from the Skies” event in Riyadh, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) alongside the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Attendees witnessed successful satellite-based two-way messaging and SOS alerts sent using commercial Android smartphones and a combination of Viasat’s robust L-band satellite network and the Bullitt over-the-top messaging app. Signals were transmitted using the company’s L-band spacecraft positioned over the Indian Ocean, while the infrastructure for 3GPP NTN services was deployed by Viasat’s partner Skylo.

Sandeep Moorthy, Viasat’s Chief Technical Officer, emphasized the significance of the demonstration, explaining, “By expanding our direct-to-device innovation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we’re showcasing the potential for D2D services in the fast-growing Gulf and Asia-Pacific region. D2D could help reduce barriers to connectivity in regions where terrestrial services are spotty and unavailable to help transform industries and supply chains, enable new opportunities, and to become more efficient, sustainable and safer. We’d like to thank the CST for their support in carrying out this exciting demonstration”.

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D2D technology allows devices like smartphones, vehicles, and industrial equipment to connect seamlessly to both satellite and terrestrial networks. Unlike traditional satellite setups, D2D eliminates the need for extra hardware, thanks to emerging global standards that are gaining traction among satellite operators, mobile network providers, and tech manufacturers.

What makes this approach particularly promising is that Viasat uses a licensed, dedicated satellite spectrum to deliver its D2D services. This avoids any interference with existing terrestrial networks, allowing smooth integration with mobile network operators in the future.

The demonstration clearly showed the potential of D2D technology to bridge connectivity gaps in remote regions while opening up opportunities for innovation, improved safety, sustainability, and efficiency.