30 April 2015
• Program targets young entrepreneurs interested in innovation & smart services to refine or redesign business models, processes & strategies

• Launch Pad to apply innovative methods from renowned global universities to develop expertise & competenciesto launch new ventures

UAE - Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) will organize the 'Smart City Start-Up Launch Pad' program from May 2 to 6, 2015 at its campus in Dubai Academic City. The Smart City Start-Up Launch Pad is designed to help young entrepreneurs who are interested in better understanding the new trends in 'smart cities,' so that they can refine or redefine their current business model. Theprogram is based on materials coming from the latest research on innovation and entrepreneurshipconducted at INSEAD, Stanford University, Harvard University, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachussets Institute of Technology. However, it is adapted to suit the requirements ofDubai's 'smart city' environment.

The Start-Up Launch Pad is the third event organized by HBMSU during the current academic year to promote innovation, encourage and support entrepreneurship and prepare the official launch of its business incubation centre 'H(in)3 business incubator'.

The 'Smart City Start-Up Launch Pad' programis intended to prepare attendees to structure professionally the business strategy of their newborn start-ups. By the end of the Launch Pad week, each participant is expected to have revisited the business model of his/her start-up and to have learnt how to pitch his/her idea in front of an investor. The participants will have an opportunity to present their business ideas to a panel of potential investors and senior members of well-established, multi-national companies, who are also partners of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) Incubator, such as Microsoft or Veolia.

Beyond its assets from international research on innovation and entrepreneurship, the Launch Pad takes advantage of HBMSU'sown experience in technology integration. It is specially designed for founders of new ventures as well as traditional business families, looking to innovate their business models by leveraging the latest technologies in the new environment of a Smart City.

Dr. Mansoor al Awar, Chancellor, HBMSU,and Chairman of the Governing Board of the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE) said: "The Smart City Startup Launch Pad is designed for entrepreneurs who see themselves as innovation champions and are keen to redesign their business model or initiate a new venture that will be their contribution to Dubai's shift to a 'smart city' in line with the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and the directions of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of HBMSU. The course will help participants to ensure that their startup is on a firm footing to become successful in line with the Dubai Plan 2021 of Dubai's Government. The Launch Pad will enable them to learn and select the tools needed to develop an idea into a prototype and gradually into a minimum viable product. Moreover, it will train future business leaders to prepare an elevator pitch and give a presentation in front of potential investors and experienced entrepreneurs. The Smart City Start-up Launch Pad is a pioneering initiative in the region and we are confident that it will bring a definite change in perspective for future entrepreneurs with regards to their new and refreshing business ideas."

The Smart City Start-up Launch Pad will be conducted by experienced professionals, namely: Prof. Alain Senteni, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, HBMSU and Dr. Philippe Bouvier, Adjunct Professor, Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai. The five-day course comprises of topics such as 'Understand What a 'Smart City' Environment Is,' 'Complete the Business Model Canvas,' 'Design the Value Proposition,' 'Define Your Minimum Viable Product,' and 'Prepare a Business Pitch.' To ensure that all ideas produced during the Launch Pad remain the property of the author and are not developed without his/her consent, a non-disclosure agreement will be signed by all participants.

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© Press Release 2015