Abu Dhabi, UAE - 21 January, 2016

Promising technology startups, focused on technologies for sustainability, today had the chance to present their innovations at the first "Pitch Sprint" held as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The invitation only, half-day, technology showcase was hosted by The Catalyst, the region's first technology startup accelerator focused on sustainability and clean technologies, which was launched in November during UAE Innovation Week. The Catalyst is a partnership between Masdar, BP and Masdar Institute.

The Catalyst helps startups speed up their development through funding, training and mentorship. Approximately 10 startups from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region - including entrepreneurs from Lebanon, Kuwait, Egypt and the UAE - participated in the pitch and mentorship session. Ideas presented represented a wide spectrum of innovations, including apps that support drones that can detect wildfires, an interactive platform that educates consumers on energy savings and regulations, and energy management systems designed for mosques.

Dr. Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar said the aim of the showcase was to nurture The Catalyst's startup pipeline. "Entrepreneurs will drive the next wave of clean tech and sustainability innovation. At Masdar, we want to help transform bold ideas into commercial realities. The Catalyst provides the ideal platform to spur new thinking on sustainability challenges, not just in the UAE but across the world," he stated.

During the Technology Startup Showcase, participants had the opportunity to pitch their ideas to, and get feedback from, a panel of experts comprising Dr. Issam Dairanieh, Managing Director of BP Ventures, Mohamed Hamdy, Director of The Catalyst, and Dr. Steve Griffiths, Vice President of Research at the Masdar Institute. The best ideas will be shortlisted for potential funding by The Catalyst. They also participated in a mentorship roundtable focused on funding and scaling their ideas.

Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost of Masdar Institute, said support for startups is critical to the development of the UAE's innovation ecosystem. "Innovation is the lifeblood of the economy. The Catalyst plays an important role in enabling sustainability innovators, including those from Masdar Institute, to take their ideas from concept to reality."

Launched in November, The Catalyst differentiates itself from other startup accelerators in the region through its unique focus on sustainable technologies and through its highly targeted recruitment process. It supports fledgling innovators with seed funding, training, mentorship and work space. Successful applicants are expected to receive up to US$50,000 funding and  six months of support, training and advice to grow their businesses.

Abdulkarim Almazmi, President and General Manager for BP UAE said technological innovation is at the core of the energy giant's operations. "Our business relies on our ability to innovate. That's why we believe it is important to support startups through initiatives such as The Catalyst, which will create a network of innovators in sustainability that will be the future driving force behind innovation and the development of the knowledge economy in the UAE and beyond."

The Catalyst accepts applications from startups that are one to five years from commercialisation and focused on sustainable technology within the energy sector.. Interested entrepreneurs can apply to The Catalyst through its online application portal www.thecatalyst.ae. Accepted applicants will take part in a programme which includes funding, office space, training, mentorship and access to a world class network of industry experts and investors..

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About Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) is the largest gathering on sustainability in the Middle East -- a ground-breaking global forum that unites thought leaders, policy makers and investors to address the challenges and opportunities of renewable energy and sustainable development through dialogue and action. With a new mandate to address climate change mitigation achieved at the Paris Climate Conference (COP 21), ADSW 2016 is promoting multilateral cooperation and bold decision making to accelerate the adoption of the sustainable solutions needed to realise the economic aspirations of future generations and to accommodate rapid global population growth.

About Masdar
Masdar is Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company which works to advance the development, commercialization and deployment of clean energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today's fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future. Wholly owned by the Mubadala Development Company PJSC, the strategic investment company of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the Emirates' long-term vision for the future of energy and water.

About BP
BP is a global energy company and has been working in the Middle East for over 100 years.  BP played a significant role in the Abu Dhabi oil industry since the 1930s and was at the forefront of the discovery of oil in the Emirate in 1958. Today its interests include shareholdings in the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (BP share 14.67%), the Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company (10%) and the Natural Gas Shipping Company (10%). BP brings global scale and expertise in giant oil fields to help maximize value for Abu Dhabi. BP also supports several community projects in Abu Dhabi. These include a partnership with the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency on the Sustainable Schools Initiative; the BP Young Adventurers training initiative that has hosted over 6000 children over the last decade; investment in future talent through support for Abu Dhabi's Petroleum Institute; and support for the Emirates Foundation for Youth Development.

About Masdar Institute
The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (Masdar Institute) was established by the government of Abu Dhabi as a not-for-profit, private graduate university to develop indigenous R&D capacity in Abu Dhabi addressing issues of importance to the region.

In collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute has developed an academic and research platform that articulates its mission and vision according to critical energy and sustainability challenges.

An important characteristic of Masdar Institute is its focus on complex real-world problems that require a multidisciplinary approach for the development of solutions from an integrated technology, systems and policy perspective. This multi-interdisciplinary and integrated approach is supported by the structure of its academic programs and by the emphasis placed on engaging external partners from industry, government, and other academic institutions in collaborative activities.

Serving as a key pillar of innovation and human capital, Masdar Institute remains fundamental to Masdar's core objectives of developing Abu Dhabi's knowledge economy and finding solutions to humanity's toughest challenges such as climate change.

Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow.  With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.

Masdar Institute offers degrees in:

●      MSc Engineering Systems and Management

●      MSc Computing and Information Science

●      MSc Materials Science and Engineering

●      MSc Mechanical Engineering

●      MSc Water and Environmental Engineering

●      MSc Microsystems Engineering

●      MSc Electrical Power Engineering

●      MSc Chemical Engineering

●      MSc Sustainable Critical Infrastructure

●      PhD in Interdisciplinary Engineering

Please visit our website www.masdar.ac.ae/

© Press Release 2016