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Innovator Show 2016 Demonstrates Growing Innovation Culure in The UAE

06 Mar 2016

  • Around 20,000 visitors attended this year’s show
  • Six exceptional innovations awarded development funds
  • Development fund winners gain free access to INNOVATOR Space to take their ideas forward

ABU DHABI, March 06, 2016: INNOVATOR Show 2016 has drawn to a successful close with around 20,000 attendees turning out to view unique and inspiring creations from over 100 UAE-based innovators. Organized by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and the Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee (TDC), INNOVATOR Show 2016 took place from 3rd to 4th March 2016 at Corniche-East Plaza in Abu Dhabi. During the event, twenty one innovators were chosen to receive development funds that will enable them to take their creative projects to the next level. As part of their prize, each winner will gain free access to INNOVATOR Space, a permanent maker space where they can use industrial-grade equipment, connect with like-minded peers and learn from experts through training classes and hands-on mentorship.

Comprising “The Best Project Fund” which is selected by a judging panel, and “The People’s Choice Fund” which is decided by attendees of the show, the development funds awarded at INNOVATOR Show provide support to stand-out innovations that have been featured at the event. The Best Project Fund is made up of five categories and judged based on a set criteria. This year’s winners are:

  • Mohammed AlShehhi for Smart Solar-powered Ventilation System for vehicles innovation in Sustainability category.
  • Hamdan Al Hosani, Saad Sultan, Pranav Mehta, Titas Geryba, for Versatiles innovation in Art & Design category.
  • Mishal Al Marzooqi and Saeed Al Nazari for Drones in HealthCare Sector innovation in Aerospace category
  • Marwan Yasir for Two Way Exhaust innovation in Mechanics & Digital Fabrication category.
  • Mohamed Elwazer, Catherine Bentley and Adnan Haider for KinTrans innovation in Robotics and Electronics category.

Sadjyot Biswa, Shobhit Deva, Aman Gupta, Azan Barodawala, Abdul Muqueet Baba, Dev Gupta, Manik Sharma, Aravind Prashant, Vedant Bajaj, Yash Patni won “The People’s Choice Fund” for Gear Shifters innovation in Automotive, Mechanics & Digital Fabrication category.

Congratulating the winners of the development funds, Majid Al Mail, Senior Manager and Head of INNOVATOR Programme said, “Across the board, the participants of this year’s INNOVATOR Show have set the bar high and demonstrated the wealth of talent that exists in the UAE when it comes to creativity and innovation. The winners of the funds produced particularly exceptional work and we are pleased to help them realize their ideas further.” He continued, “We will now be focusing on supporting and growing the INNOVATOR Community through our permanent facility, the INNOVATOR Space and we expect to see this community developing significantly over the coming months… next edition of INNOVATOR Show will definitely be another step forward.” 

Al Mail added, “We thank all government and private entities that supported and collaborated with us to make the INNOVATOR Show 2016 such a success. By joining our efforts and working collectively, we have been able to spread the message of innovation even further among the UAE community while taking a closer step to realizing a truly innovative society.”

INNOVATOR Show 2016 featured 117 projects - a 20 percent increase compared to last year - across six diverse categories: Aerospace; Art and Design; Automotive, Mechanics and Digital Fabrication; Robotics and Electronics; and Sustainability and Life Sciences. The Robotics and Electronics category proved to be the most popular field of interest with 37 innovators showcasing their work in this category.  Now in its third year, the annual interactive event inspires budding innovators to showcase their home-made creations and collaborate with like-minded enthusiasts.

INNOVATOR Show forms an integral part of the INNOVATOR Programme, a government initiative launched to support the development of human capital in the science and technology sectors. The Programme facilitates the creation and realization of home-grown innovation, supporting talented tinkerers aged 13+, both beginners and professionals alike, throughout the different stages of their innovation development - from inspiration to creation.

INNOVATOR Show 2016 is brought to you by Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and the Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee (TDC), and in partnership with INTEL, INNOVATOR Programme’s Technology Partner, The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City as ‘Community Partner’ and other partners including ADMAF and TECHSHOP. More information about INNOVATOR Programme and the Show can be found at www.innovator.ae.