Is Expo City Dubai the New Hub for Climate Tech Innovation?
In a significant step towards fostering sustainable urban development in the UAE, Expo City Dubai and the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators have teamed up to support climate tech innovations. The two entities have signed a cooperation agreement, merging their expertise to identify, test, and scale up innovative sustainable solutions. This partnership not only strengthens their collective commitment to the UAE’s growing climate tech sector but also contributes to the country's long-term sustainability goals.
A Path to Scalable Climate Tech Solutions
Under the agreement, UICCA will tap into its network of initiatives, identifying innovations that are either market-ready or close to maturity. The most promising projects will be granted access to Expo City’s Urban Lab – an advanced city-wide testbed where these innovations can be trialled within a real-world urban environment. The Urban Lab provides an invaluable opportunity for startups and tech developers to integrate their solutions into Expo City’s existing infrastructure and see how they perform under the dynamics of everyday urban life.
Her Highness Sheikha Shamma on Driving Innovation
Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of UICCA, highlighted the importance of fostering new technologies and enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors to help the UAE meet its ambitious goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
She explained, "Through UICCA’s Launchpad, we are accelerating the growth of green startups and SMEs by providing tailored mentorship, regulatory guidance, and direct access to investors. This ensures that these innovators have the necessary resources to scale their solutions within the UAE. By combining the innovative ventures from the Launchpad with Expo City’s cutting-edge Urban Lab and supportive business ecosystem, we’re strengthening our ability to grow the green economy and support the nation’s bold climate targets."
A Collaborative Vision for Sustainable Growth
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority, emphasised the city’s role in promoting collaboration and innovation for a sustainable future.
"Our agreement with UICCA helps us find and implement solutions to address real-world climate and urban development challenges," she said. "We’re ensuring these solutions are thoroughly evaluated and supported, demonstrating how a human-centric approach to technological development can bring about meaningful, long-lasting change."
The Urban Lab: A Testing Ground for Innovation
Dedicated to piloting new solutions that enhance urban living and promote sustainability, Expo City’s Urban Lab offers a secure and regulatory-compliant sandbox environment for businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators to test their solutions. The lab is equipped with 200,000 live data points from sensors, IoT systems, and other sources, providing real-time insights to validate testing results.
In addition, innovators have access to Expo City’s existing datasets, which can help highlight urban challenges and facilitate the commercialisation of their solutions. With this real-world data, businesses can refine their innovations and prepare them for wider application.
Supporting Green Startups Through UICCA’s Launchpad
Expo City’s role in UICCA’s Launchpad program goes beyond just offering space for testing. The city will organise virtual workshops, offer mentorship, and help startups bring their projects to the testing phase. This program connects climate-focused startups with key stakeholders across the private and public sectors, creating a dedicated pathway for these innovators to grow and scale.
Expo City: A Hub for Innovation and Sustainability
Strategically located near the Dubai Exhibition Centre and Al Maktoum International Airport, Expo City is poised to become a central player in Dubai’s future economic landscape. As one of five hubs outlined in the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, the city’s master plan underscores its importance in driving Dubai’s Economic Agenda and serving as a model for sustainable urban development.
Expo City is already home to a range of local and international organisations focused on sustainability and innovation, and its recent launch of the Changemakers Academy further cements its status as a hub for creativity. This incubator encourages young innovators to tackle social and environmental challenges facing the UAE and rewards bold solutions that have the potential to make a significant impact.
This collaboration between Expo City Dubai and UICCA offers a powerful example of how partnerships can drive meaningful progress towards sustainability. With the UAE’s climate targets in sight, these initiatives will play a crucial role in shaping the future of urban development and the climate tech sector.
