Emirates Group Partners with GE, Etisalat and DSOA to launch Intelak

The joint initiative, called Intelak, will bring together selected entrepreneurs and students from across the UAE to participate in a travel, technology and aviation-focused Incubator. Four winning teams, who will be selected through a rigorous judging process, will be enrolled in the full Intelak Incubator training programme and receive AED 50,000 each to fund and further develop their ideas.

“The aviation industry is constantly changing and being technologically-advanced and innovative is the only way to stay ahead. Intelak is the ideal platform to inspire and work with young entrepreneurs to shape the future of travel through new and original ideas. At the Emirates Group, we are fully committed to redefine the travel experience as we continue to invest in the next generation of technology leaders in UAE,” said Abdulaziz Al Ali, Emirates executive vice president, human resources.

Living up to its meaning in Arabic – taking off – Intelak will support young entrepreneurs in their quest to become part of the innovative ecosystem in the UAE. Whether they’re university students or local start-up entrepreneurs, the programme will provide the winning teams with the necessary resources to be able to pave their own career path, develop their business ideas and turn theory into a practical reality.

Rania Rostom, chief innovation officer for GE in the Middle East, North Africa & Turkey said: “Innovation is at the heart of the UAE’s development narrative, with the nation’s leadership focused on promoting an innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem. Intelak serves the dual purpose of not only nurturing talent in the UAE, but also contributing to the growth of the aviation and travel sectors, both drivers of the national economy. As a long-term partner in the socio-economic progress of the country, GE has been driving a culture of localised innovation and fostering digital industrial entrepreneurship. Our partnership with the cofounders will set the platform for bringing bright new ideas to life.”

Francisco Salcedo, Etisalat’s senior vice president, Digital Solutions, said: “We are pleased to be part of this strategic partnership with three prominent establishments such as Emirates, GE and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority. The importance of this Incubator relies on three key factors; one is its novelty, as it’s one of the few incubators that focuses on aviation, travel and tourism technologies around the world. The second factor is having this Incubator programme backed by leaders in the technology, innovation and aviation industries, which enables local entrepreneurs to learn first-hand from our experts. And the third being its importance as a first step to create niche technology focused incubators that will help create new job and business opportunities and grow the local economy.”

The Incubator will be hosted at Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Centre (DTEC), DSOA’s wholly owned technology incubational centre and the largest of its kind.

Commenting on the partnership, Shahla Ahmed Abdul Razak, deputy CEO of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, said: “We are pleased to host the new Incubator at the Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Centre, which we are confident will significantly contribute to the support of innovative youth, especially in the travel and aviation sectors. We are certain that Intelak will further encourage innovative young UAE national entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into reality, all the while contributing to the GDP of Dubai.”

She added: “Choosing DTEC as the base of the Incubator is proof of the mutual goals we share with the Emirates Group, to back the future generation. Hence, leveraging the capabilities of DTEC as the largest technology incubator of its kind in the region, we will provide this project with all the support needed to ensure its sustained success.”