Dubai Internet City announces
new Innovation Hub, which will provide 1.6 million sq. ft. of
dedicated space to around 15,000 knowledge and creative workers
Dubai Design District’s
Creative Community will provide an inspiring and dynamic destination
covering an area of 1 million sq. ft. for emerging designers and
artists
AED 4.5 billion will be
invested in TECOM Investments’ new innovation driven initiatives
Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Nov 1,
2014 – (ME
NewsWire) In support of
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision to
transform Dubai into an innovation-driven economy, TECOM Investments
has today announced a new strategy focused on stimulating creativity
and the development of new technologies, creating smart and
sustainable infrastructure, and driving entrepreneurship and SME
growth.
Specific initiatives that underpin
TECOM Investments’ new strategic focus include the development of
innovation complexes, creative spaces, technology laboratories and
smart buildings, as well as the launch of new business incubators and
the establishment of a dedicated start up fund to stimulate
innovation.
The combined total investment
allocated towards TECOM Investments’ new innovation focused
initiatives is AED 4.5 billion. This will fund the development of
infrastructure for d3’s Creative Community, Dubai Internet City’s
Innovation Hub, incubator and creative spaces in all of the company’s
communities, and will stimulate start-ups and entrepreneurs through
the creation of a start-up fund and competition. TECOM Investments’
new start-up fund and competition will be launched by Q2 2015.
Over the next decade, TECOM
Investments’ ambition is for this package of initiatives to:
increase the workforce located in its business communities from
70,000 to 100,000; grow its business partner base from 4,500 to
10,000; and to provide an additional 10 million sq. ft. of commercial
office space, resulting in a total of 16 million sq. ft. of dedicated
space across a number of Dubai’s prime business locations.
To further drive innovation in Dubai,
the company is also proud to reveal further detail for two major new
projects: Dubai Internet City’s Innovation Hub and Dubai Design
District’s (d3) Creative Community.
Innovation Hub
Dubai Internet City’s Innovation
Hub will focus on innovation across technology, new media, smart
education and sciences, and phase one will be delivered in Q1 2017.
It will nurture talent and creativity, and foster the continued
growth of the region’s start-up and entrepreneurial landscape.
The Innovation Hub will be a thriving
1.6 million sq. ft. business development strategically located in the
heart of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge
Village. It will directly support His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin
Rashid’s new vision and innovation strategy, by helping to
transform these business parks into innovation-driven platforms and
enablers.
It will offer companies of all sizes
– including start-ups, SMEs and multinationals – world class
facilities and services, robust and adaptable state-of-the-art
infrastructure, and a vibrant working environment. In addition, the
Innovation Hub’s 15,000-strong creative workforce will be given the
opportunity to network and share knowledge with their peers, as well
as access to a comprehensive programme of relevant events and
activities running throughout the year.
This initiative will further
strengthen Dubai’s existing position as a strategic business
destination, and drive the Emirate’s transition into a leading
global innovation-led economy.
d3 Creative Community
The d3 Creative Community will cover
a total area of 1 million sq. ft. within Dubai Design District, and
will act as an incubator for emerging local designers and artists, as
well as providing a natural home for art galleries and studios
looking to engage directly with the region. The Creative Community is
expected to evolve organically with adaptability providing one of its
key attributes, enabling year round use of the built environment to
cater for an active place management programme and flexible working
spaces allowing businesses to grow and develop. Phase One of the
development will be delivered in 2016.
Development of the d3 Creative
Community concept is the result of an ongoing dialogue between d3’s
management team and the region’s existing pool of creative talent,
through focus groups, workshops, and a series of one-to-one workshop
sessions. Inspiration was also sought by visiting thriving design
destinations around the world, including New York’s Meatpacking
District and East London’s Shoreditch, to better understand the
core ingredients that make them popular.
Commenting, Dr Amina Al Rustamani,
Group CEO of TECOM Investments, said: “TECOM
Investments is a committed partner in the Government’s efforts to
transform Dubai into an innovation-driven economy. We see our role as
enabling businesses and creative people to operate efficiently and
effectively, but we are also seeking to actively engage, foster, and
nurture talent and creative industries in order for them to have a
positive impact on the UAE economy.
“Dubai Internet City’s Innovation
Hub is being developed with an unwavering focus on supporting
innovation and creativity, and its prime position among Dubai
Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village will
bring a significant uplift in the volume of talent operating in the
Emirate. With a design that focuses on versatile space, this
community will offer significant flexibility for the many individuals
and companies who will soon call it home.
“d3’s
Creative Community is a pioneering initiative that will help to
foster the growth of the UAE’s design industry, by acting as a
dedicated destination for all things design, fashion, art and luxury.
An exciting year round programme of events and activities will drive
visitor footfall to d3 and increase international appreciation for
regional creative talent.
“We
want d3’s Creative Community to truly inspire creative flair
amongst emerging designers and artists, and to encourage innovation
within people more generally. But, we also want to establish an
easily identifiable yet adaptable urban community that helps expose
the region’s design industry and creative talent to the world, by
enticing visitors and tourists to the site. Our aim is to whet the
global appetite for regional design while also enhancing the
commercial opportunities for regional talent.”
