Volkswagen has announced its second mobility challenge in partnership with the Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (Dtec), a wholly-owned tech co-working space by the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), STEP, and The Assembly.
The challenge targets young entrepreneurs from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia with innovative ideas that could change the face of the mobility industry. With the rise of smart cities and urban mobility, the initiative encourages participants to identify achievable solutions.
20 TEAMS CAN PARTICIPATE: 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 the STEP conference on February 12, 2020. Volkswagen Managing Director Victor Dalmau said that the young entrepreneurs can help generate innovative concepts with the potential to influence the future of the mobility industry 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,” he said. Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority Chief Financial Officer William Chappell said that the youth in this region has tremendous untapped potential that, if properly leveraged, can disrupt and advance the mobility and smart city industry.
ANNOUNCEMENT FOR WINNERS: “We appreciate this 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.
The winners can 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.
