Dubai Innovation Office Seeking Startups for $20k Blockchain Contest
Dubai’s government is on the hunt for startups to take part in a new blockchain contest, offering prizes of up to $20,000 for the winning projects. The competition, dubbed the SDO Blockchain Challenge, was announced late last month by the Smart Dubai Office (SDO), in conjunction with US-based startup incubator 1776. In a statement, SDO director general Dr Aisha Bin Bishr said her office hopes to use the contest to identify companies with solutions that could have an impact on Dubai’s plans for modernization. She said of the initiative: “Our partnership with 1776 on the Blockchain Challenge....
Related News
German automaker Porsche is seeking founders and startups in the blockchain industry to participate in a contest as it seeks to explore blockchain solutions for the company. Announced this month, the Porsche Innovation Contest is luring developers and startups in the blockchain space with prize money and possible participation in an accelerator program. It is the first clear indicator of the sports car manufacturer’s interest in the innovative technology. Notably, the path taken by the auto manufacturer is to engage startups in the industry rather than the path taken by other industry....
An innovation center established by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and emir of Dubai, has announced the formation of a research council focused on blockchain technology. Launched in 2015, the Museum of the Future was created with the mandate to encourage innovation and help foster investigation of new technologies within the Middle Eastern nation. The keystone of the project will be an architectural centre (estimated to cost $136m) and set to be completed in 2017. According to the release, the Global Blockchain Council will....
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai has initiated a push to authorities to invest one billion dirhams ($275 million USD) into financial technology and blockchain acceleration within the country. The ambitious project aims to get Bitcoin and blockchain startups together to advance R&D in Dubai by paying for flights and accommodation and support....
The Dubai Museum of the Future Foundation held the second meeting of its Global Blockchain Council to consider initiatives it will address this year, according to a release from the Dubai government. The council formed last month as part of the foundation’s efforts to adopt the latest technologies and innovation practices at a global level and explore their impact on various sectors. The participants explored organizing a global blockchain conference in May for blockchain experts and enthusiasts. The activities will include a Hackathon to serve as an incubator that provides incentives for....
The head of the Dubai government’s Smart Dubai initiative provided new details on how she believes blockchain can help drive the city’s modernization efforts in a speech at industry conference Keynote 2016 yesterday. In remarks, director general at the Smart Dubai Office, Dr Aisha Bin Bishr, spoke broadly about her organization’s plans to help make Dubai the best connected and "happiest" city in the world. Further, Bin Bishr discussed how blockchain fits into this larger strategy, while touching on her work with the Global Blockchain Council (GBC), the public-private tech....