The UAE’s flagship industrial platform, Make it in the Emirates, concluded its fifth edition this week, highlighting the country’s dual strategy of backing market-ready industrial technologies while investing heavily in its next generation of tech talent. The event featured a high-stakes pitch competition alongside the launch of a new national initiative to develop AI skills among Emirati youth.
Quick Facts
- Pitch competition winners: AC3D, Electrogenos Magan Ltd, Waverity.
- Focus on deep tech and industrial cybersecurity.
- New ‘Shabab AI’ initiative targets Emirati youth.
Showcasing Industrial Innovators
A central feature of the event was the Start-up Pitch Competition, which provided a stage for entrepreneurs from the UAE and beyond. Startups competed for cash prizes, mentorship, and direct access to investors.
The competition focused on five priority sectors: electric mobility, autonomous systems and drones, industrial robotics, smart manufacturing, and industrial cybersecurity. Winners AC3D, Electrogenos Magan Ltd, and Waverity were selected based on their innovation, scalability, market potential, and national impact. The competition was open to startups with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3 to 9, indicating a focus on companies moving from development to market-ready solutions.
Investing in the Next Generation of Talent
Beyond the competition, the event signaled a strong governmental push towards building a skilled local workforce. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Advisor at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced the Shabab AI initiative. Led by the Abu Dhabi Youth Council, the program targets Emiratis aged 18-35 and aims to equip them with practical AI application skills.
“This initiative seeks to equip youth with the necessary skills and motivate them to develop innovative, applicable solutions,” said Sheikh Mohammed.
The focus on youth is supported by data from the event itself, where 61% of participating SMEs and startups were youth-led. Dr. Farah Al Zarooni of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) emphasized this point, stating, “The young people are the true makers. If you invest in the human being, you invest in an entire economic ecosystem.”
Aligning Education with Industry Needs
Speakers stressed the need for education to keep pace with rapid industrial changes. Ghannam Butti Al Mazrouei, Secretary General of Nafis, called on the private sector to help adapt university curricula to market needs. “If we reach a 90% alignment rate between education outcomes and market requirements, we’ll have an excellent education sector,” he noted.
Echoing this, Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, confirmed that the university is on track to embed AI across every field of study by 2028, ensuring graduates are prepared for a transformed industrial landscape.
About Make it in the Emirates
Make it in the Emirates (MIITE) is the UAE’s national industrial platform, led by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). Now in its fifth edition, the platform brings together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and manufacturers to drive industrial growth, localization, and global competitiveness. It supports the UAE’s long-term economic diversification ambitions under “We the UAE 2031” and “UAE Centennial 2071”.
Source: Zawya
