Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Plug and Play, the largest global innovation platform, and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the leading international financial centre based in Abu Dhabi, today announced Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi as the founding corporate partners for their new Travel and Hospitality accelerator program.
The Plug and Play ADGM
team, Etihad Airways and the Department of
Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi will be working together to dictate the
focus of the program based on their current use cases and curating a selection
of highly rated startups sourced via their global network. Plug and Play ADGM will work hand in hand with both
partner’s business units to expedite the engagement process and encourage
fruitful collaboration.
Plug and Play ADGM is
also proud to announce that Miral, Abu Dhabi’s creator of destinations, will
participate in the accelerator program, allowing them to engage with the
selected startups and support the growing entrepreneurial ecosystem across the
region. Startups participating in the accelerator program will be able to
benefit from ADNEC’s community partnership by attending their regular
workshops, private events, and networking sessions.
These partners will
also be able to leverage Plug and Play’s global ecosystem of over 25 travel and
hospitality companies across the globe, from Silicon Valley to Singapore.
“The travel and
hospitality sector is critical to Abu Dhabi’s socio-economic development and we
are delighted to form this strategic partnership with Plug and Play ADGM to
collectively establish an infrastructure which will enable innovation to
flourish in the aviation sector,” said Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive
Officer of Etihad Aviation Group.
“Establishing Abu
Dhabi’s credentials as a world-class destination with universal appeal across
all global traveller demographics is our key mandate at DCT Abu Dhabi, and this
collaboration with Plug and Play ADGM, in tandem with our local partners, will
allows us to forge a framework where innovation can flourish, and the potency
and reach of our global messaging can be enhanced,” said H.E Saif Saeed
Ghobash, Undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi.
“We are proud that the
expansion of our activities into the Travel and Hospitality space will further
support Abu Dhabi’s vision in becoming a regional hub for innovation,” said
Omeed Mehrinfar, Managing Partner, Middle East at Plug and Play.
Plug and Play ADGM
kicked off their first Fintech accelerator program in Q3 of 2018, supporting
five major financial institutions in achieving their innovation objectives on a
global scale, as well as strengthening their competitive advantage within the
financial sector.
Dhaher Bin Dhaher Al
Mheiri, CEO of the Registration Authority of ADGM said, “ADGM is
excited about the new Plug and Play ADGM’s startup programme for the
travel and hospitality sector and looks forward to collaborating with the
corporate partners and startups. This new venture dovetails with ADGM’s
commitment and ongoing efforts in advancing the UAE and Abu Dhabi’s blueprint
to boost the competitiveness and attractiveness of the business environment,
particularly, in empowering and supporting startups and innovators from the
tourism and key industrial sectors.
Leveraging ADGM’s
end-to-end Tech startup ecosystem and its Professional Services Support Programme,
firms and entrepreneurs have access to a nurturing and conducive environment
while focusing on their innovative business solutions to local and
international companies. We will continue to introduce and advocate initiatives
to bring about sustainable development and growth for our country and the
community reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification strategy.”
Plug and Play’s Travel
& Hospitality Innovation Platform was founded in 2016 at their Silicon
Valley headquarters, focused on discovering, supporting and scaling disruptive
technologies that are reshaping the future of travel. The industry’s IT
infrastructure is long overdue for disruption, and there is an inherent need to
connect industry leaders with innovators across the globe. Plug and Play
leverages its global network to source startup technologies that increase
revenue and lower costs, improve safety and security, build brand loyalty, and
create seamless travel experiences for everyone.
The program will
commence in Q3 of 2019, with the first batch of selected startups residing at
ADGM.
For more information
about the program, please reach out to MENA@pnptc.com.