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NYU Abu Dhabi Seeking Startups For Second Edition Of Entrepreneurship Programme
(20 March 2018)

NYU Abu Dhabi innovation and entrepreneurship platform startAD has announced its invitation to the innovative startups to apply for the second edition of the hardware Venture Launchpad, a 10-day entrepreneurship programme that will help startups develop a scalable, repeatable, and capital efficient venture.

The programme will take place from 29th April to 9th May, with the deadline to apply is 15th April.

The Venture Launchpad programme will culminate in an Investor Day programme, where the top 10 teams will receive private one-on-one facetime with 10 active UAE investors. Finalists will also win a prototyping grant and be considered for investment and ADvance mentoring by startAD, including the opportunity to build their prototype at Al Warsha, the startAD lab. The lab is equipped with the latest in prototyping tools, including 3D printers, laser cutters, PCB Printers and an assortment of hand tools with guidance provided by startAD’s innovation engineer. The initiative is open to UAE and global early-stage hardware startups and is free of charge to accepted teams.

NYU Abu Dhabi Research Professor of Engineering, Vice Provost for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and startAD Managing Director, Ramesh Jagannathan, said, "Ever since the introduction of the first Bluetooth headset in 2004, the wearable technologies market has accelerated steadily and is expected to grow from US$20 billion in 2016 to $58 billion by 2022. The time for hardware innovation is now and Abu Dhabi is positioned to be a leader in this area. Startups looking to create global impact should seize this unique opportunity to benefit from startAD’s network of mentors, corporate partners, trainers, investors, prototyping support and the unique innovation ecosystem that Abu Dhabi provides."

In addition to refining their prototypes, startups accepted into the programme will gain a deeper understanding of design thinking methodologies, go-to-market strategies, financial planning including valuation and funding as well as the chance to connect with manufacturing sources and prototyping labs in China.