Convert 6 ideas into investment projects through Ibtikari.

Abu Dhabi, Tuesday October 20, 2015

Number of Emiratis participating in Ibtikari Program, which was launched by Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, Information & Communication Technology Fund, and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority. They were able to transform their business ideas into smart application and uploaded them to the Apple Store and the Android system.

H.E. Abdullah Saeed Al Darmaki CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development said; "3 out of 6 projects nominated at the end of an Ibtikari program has been downloaded as smart applications in the Apple Store, while two applications were downloaded into the Android system, while one project convert his idea into a website".

The Khalifa Fund has provided the necessary support for four Emiratis were able to in the previous session of Ibtikari program to upload their applications on the Apple Store, which brings the total number of smart applications that enable owners of converted into a business venture to 10 applications

Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, Information & Communication Technology Fund, and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority organized Ibtikari Program graduation on Monday at Khalifa University headquarters for the second batch.  Ibtikari program is the first program designed to encourage the Emiratis to develop ideas into innovative ideas in the field of information technology and smart application designs in tourism sector.

"Khalifa Fund will continue to support entrepreneurs interested in the development of ideas in technology and information technology sector, calling the young Emiratis to take the lead and work hard to develop innovative ideas that can be implemented. The Fund is committed to provide all necessary support for the success of any technical project complies with terms & conditions of Khalifa Fund financing programs", added Al Darmaki.

"The Fund works to instill the values ​​of leadership, creativity and innovation among the various segments of the society and to encourage them to adopt these concepts and they contain a permanent behavior to them when seeking to establish their own businesses", explained Al Darmaki.

"The Fund is very keen to contribute to the empowerment of the Emiratis and raise its efficiency and stimulate the abilities and explore their talents so as to enhance the development process taking place in the country. The information technology sector is a promising investment sector in spite of competition from big foreign companies taking place in this sector", added Al Darmaki.

Fatema Mohamed Al Muhairi, head of Ibtikari initiative, Sr. Manager in Entrepreneurship Development Department in Khalifa Fund for said, "the owners of the 6 eligible ideas joined a training workshop organized by the Khalifa Fund over the five-day. The workshop included training in the preparation of feasibility studies as well as practical training in management, marketing, technical and other fields".

"The ideas were evaluated by evaluation committee made ​​up of representatives of Khalifa Fund and other experts from other entities specialized in this sector that cut the ideas to 6 ideas", added Fatema. .

The winning ideas included creating intelligent applications in health, tourism and financial sectors and social networking. Rand Al Hashmi presented Sheefa application which connects patients who are unable to pay for the drug, with those who wish to donate. Mohamed Yahya & Nadim Al Katheri made presentation about Authentic Tour, an application helps to create a real experience tour and community activities of the emirate, as if the tour guide locally provided. Salam Ali made a presentation about the Green Bill application, which aims to help track water and electricity and to follow proper ways to reduce the consumption and earn points through it.

Khadija Behzad presented Tornado application which is an application works on assembling business cards to facilitate the communication process and reduce reliance on paper. Al Anoud Al Khameri submitted iFresh application to help users keep track of expiration of food, by sending reminders and the creation of shopping lists automatically.  Omar & Salah Shamout presented trackmybag application, which helps to keep you connected with your bag.

The Khalifa Fund has launched . Ibtikari initiative aiming to encourage young entreprenures and motivate them to creativity and innovation in the field of information technology and smart design applications.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Director of Khalifa University said: "We are delighted and honored to host the event on the campus of the university and that comes in the context of supporting innovation in the Abu Dhabi through programs, events and initiatives that will provide the necessary for the growth and support emerging Emirati projects in the field of technology environment. Since its inception, Khalifa University is seeking to graduate generations of young Emiratis qualified to the highest degree and enjoy a high level of creativity and innovation to participate and lead of the various vital sectors to achieve a knowledge-based economy".

The qualified ideas have benefited from specialized incubator for 100 days provided by Telecommunication Regulatory Authority.

Fund Khalifa received 40-project ideas from Emiratis specialized in the design of smart phone applications, which were formed groups to develop the ideas and design the action plan after that benefited from the training workshops organized by the Fund.

The Fund has addressed the Emiratis employees in more than 34 governmental and semi-governmental entities and students of four national universities to participate in this initiative, which received an overwhelming response as the number of registered more than 200 citizens.

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© Press Release 2015