Volkswagen Middle East has announced its second Mobility Challenge in partnership with Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (Dtec); a wholly owned tech co-working space by Dubai Silicon oasis Authority (DSOA), STEP, and The Assembly.
The challenge targets young entrepreneurs from the UAE and KSA with innovative ideas which could change the face of the mobility industry. With the rise of smart cities and urban mobility, the initiative – in line with Volkswagen’s vision to move people forward – encourages participants to identify achievable solutions.
The challenge is already receiving ideas online on the STEP conference website. Up to 20 teams will be able to participate in the challenge which will include a bootcamp, mentorship and pitch practice, set to take place at Dtec in January 2020. Those with the most interesting ideas will participate in a public pitch competition at STEP conference on February 12th, 2020.
Victor Dalmau, Managing Director at Volkswagen Middle East commented, “Young entrepreneurs in the region can help generate a wealth of innovative concepts with the potential to influence the future of the mobility industry, especially in a city with a vision focused on smart solutions. We are looking forward to identifying fresh ideas and working with these individuals to bring their concepts to life through our Volkswagen Mobility Challenge.”
Speaking on the initiative, William Chappell, Chief Financial Officer at DSOA and EVP Technology & Entrepreneurship at Dtec, said: “We welcome this initiative that aligns with DSOA’s core values of collaboration and responsibility towards our society to build a stronger technology industry for the greater good. Youth in this region has tremendous untapped potential that, if properly leveraged, can disrupt and advance the mobility and smart city industry. We appreciate this unique opportunity to directly engage with today’s bright young minds and are keen to welcome them to Dtec.”
The winning group will receive a one–year membership at Dtec that includes a business license and hot-desk facilities, in addition to access to mentoring and prototyping at The Assembly lab under the collaborative community team’s guidance on electronics, coding and 3D printing, a one–year car lease from Volkswagen, and a trip to the company’s headquarters in Germany to meet industry leaders in mobility and smart cities.
