Dubai Startup Hub, an initiative of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has launched its Market Access program during the GITEX Technology Week 2017. The program aims to enhance cooperation and facilitate deals between startups, SMEs, leading companies, and government entities in Dubai.

Last year, Dubai Chamber launched Dubai Startup Hub as an online platform to connect startups, entrepreneurs, developers, venture capitalists and students, enabling them to learn about new opportunities and create new partnerships that stimulate economic growth.

Part of this year’s program, startups and SMEs are invited to submit innovative ideas and solutions that solve key challenges faced by prominent companies and organizations in the emirate.The program will be open to startups and SMEs from around the world. Submitting ideas is open till October 31, 2017.  

Emirates NBD, Dubai Chamber, flydubai and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are the four leading entities participating in the first edition of the program. Each entity will present projects or core challenges that they are facing and seek innovative solutions from startups and SMEs that can be implemented within their organizations.

Emirates NBD has identified key areas where the company is seeking new solutions and projects, namely customer experience, acquisition, innovative banking products for retailers and SMEs, corporate customers, digital-only offerings for millennials, operational efficiencies, and staff engagement.

Projects listed by Dubai Chamber are focused on content management and curation, as well as digital marketing for the Dubai Startup Hub platform.

Flydubai’s project is related to tracking and analytics solutions that can monitor personnel in real-time for its facility management activities.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is looking for startups that can develop new innovative technologies, applications, and business models to drive the company’s commercial vehicle sales in the Middle East.

Selected startups and SMEs will get the opportunity to tailor their business ideas to meet specific needs, gain industry experience, and take advantage of opportunities to market their solutions and products to companies and organizations in Dubai.