• Access to 3D printers, prototyping labs, mentors, investors and networking opportunities among the benefits

Dubai-UAE – in5 has announced three winners in its competition challenging entrepreneurs and startups to create an innovative product or service to boost the UAE’s response to COVID-19 using next-generation technology, media or design.

Dubai-based ventures Robomask, CoviBot Pro and Vision Health came out on top. The trio have won a year’s free membership with in5, a business incubator and enabling platform launched by TECOM Group in 2013. This includes 30 days unlimited use of in5’s prototyping labs, 3D printers and state-of-the-art facilities. Membership and access to the facilities has an equivalent value of more than AED 125,000.

The membership includes access to exclusive workshops and talks, one-on-one advisory and mentorship sessions with global experts, networking opportunities with entrepreneurs and investors,

Majed Al Suwaidi, Managing Director of Dubai Media City and an in5 leader, said: “We have continued to nurture startups during these challenging times and today’s winners emphasise the tremendous depth of talent, knowledge and creativity in the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“We kicked off this competition to highlight the multifaceted problem-solving role technology, media and design can play in our ongoing global efforts to combat COVID-19. These are exceptional times for everyone – including small businesses, startups and scale-ups. Providing access to the excellent infrastructure across our three innovation centres will, I hope, enable today’s winners to take their ideas to the next level as Dubai enters a new phase and the economy gets moving again.”

in5’s open-call competition was launched in May and attracted dozens of entries. Ideas ranged from multimedia content, digital tools to help people cope with stress and anxiety through to creative products designed to sterilise food deliveries, groceries and retail spaces.

The winning team from Robomask – Co-Founders Mohamed Ishag Hassan and Mohammed Saqeeb Mandlik – proposed a sustainable and technologically-superior facemask that purifies the air with tiny ultraviolet light LEDs. Designed with soft textures to provide a comfortable wearing experience, its durability will combat the growing build-up of non-biodegradable PPE waste and provides greater health and safety benefits.

To help retailers, restaurants, businesses and commercial establishments implement effective thermal screening, hand sanitisation and capacity control, Paul Anand created CoviBot Pro. The autonomous vending machine dispenses sanitiser, surgical gloves and masks within 20 seconds, simultaneously scanning the body temperature of every person walking into a school, coffeeshop, gym or any other public space.

Najia Maqsood created Vision Health, an app to bridge the gap between different generations by matching young and old people together to encourage COVID-19 volunteering initiatives that address feelings of social isolation.

All three startups now have an opportunity to take their concept to the next level through their membership with in5.

The winners were selected by a three-person panel of startup experts who, between them, boast decades of experience supporting and enabling Dubai’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

-Ends-

About in5

in5 is an enabling platform for entrepreneurs and startups, offering five key benefits through its robust startup framework, creative spaces and specialised industry centres, training and mentorship programmes, community wide networking events and access to investors. in5 nurtures ideas and businesses to their next phase of growth.

Launched by TECOM Group, in5’s three specialised Innovation Centres provide aspiring students, entrepreneurs and startups with access to a diverse community of creative minds, facilitating the constant exchange of knowledge and passionate debate conducive to ideation.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Oscar Rousseau
APCO Worldwide
Email: orousseau@apcoworldwide.com

Khaled Al Khatib
APCO Worldwide
Email: KAlKhatib@apcoworldwide.com 

Send us your press releases to pressrelease.zawya@refinitiv.com

© Press Release 2020

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.