From Virtual to Real

Technology Park

By

Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar

Dr. Ghada Amer Arab Science and Technology Foundation

About www.astf.net

• Arab Science and Tech Foundation is an Emarati foundation that operates

independently; NGO & Non-for Profit. It works regionally and

internationally to extract innovation and encourage investments in S&T.

• We believe and on collaborative efforts to help Arab countries grow. Best

way to engage decision makers is to realize success stories.

• We have been managing RDI and TT for past 15 years. Many governments

are asking for assistance to realize a workable technology park model.

• One approach is to set model for the TP via establishing factories that are

based on IP and engage academia and the innovative community.

• ASTF has its own developed model to enhance interaction between those

who generate innovation and those who invest on it.

ASTF Programs to Extract, Support and Commercialize Arab RDI

Academia

R&D

Centers

Industry

S&T Parks

Incubators

Government

Planned Existing

M

A

R

K

E

T

Pilot

Inve

stmen

t Read

iness

Inv in Tech Website

Tech BP Comp

Made in Arabia

Eur Sattelite Nav. Comp.

Innovation

Extraction

Patents Catalogue

Tech Trans. O.

Industry BP C

Feasibility S. Support

Grants Program

Comm. & Networks

Core

Activities

R&D Activities Inv. In Tech.

Forum

Start-ups Support

Licensing of Technology

Forum

Technology

Investment

Virtual Incubator

VC Seed Fund

Co

mm

erc

ializ

atio

n &

Tech

no

logy

Tra

nsf

er

Market

Bridging

In 14 years, extending worldwide to 29k+ Arab scientist and ties with 400+ International Institution, with focus on 18 Arab countries. ASTF managed to:

• Dispersed mm$ 30+ Fund for R&D; extending to 750+ Researchers in 142 RDI Projects.

• Collect 1200++ Business Ideas, Finalists 205, while-wise Trained 2500+ Entrepreneurs.

• Supported 110+ Start-ups, and Assisted to Establish 72 Companies

Achievements (despite being Self Funded)

Need to read into existing Tech Parks in the MENA &

UAE

TP

s i

n t

he M

idd

le E

ast Algeria 5

Bahrain 2 Egypt 3 Israel 5

Iran 17

Jordan 3 Kuwait 1

Lebanon 1 Morocco 3

Oman 1 Qatar 1

Saudi Arabia 4 Syria 1

Tunisia 2

TP

s i

n t

he U

AE

• Dubai Technology Park

• Dubai Silicon Oasis

• Dubai Biotechnology and

Research Park

• Dubai Internet City

• CERT in AD

Existing TPs

1. Despite all influence of Country Leaders (by MBR) on

international companies, no R&D moved to Dubai.

2. Despite all investment in Qatar, still no commercial value

for innovative companies to join.

3. Since, one main objective is to “Attract direct foreign

investment”

Then require: Proper infrastructure & Satisfactory ROI

Need to find “workable business model”; cost of staff is 3-4 times

more, despite heavy subsidiary. One way “assured business”

4. Concerns: Lack of local talent, stability and echo-system

UAE, TP’s Challenges and Constraints

Abu Dhabi’s

Economic Vision

2030 encompasses

nine pillars that form

the architecture of

the Emirate’s social,

political and

economic future.

A large empowered

private sector

A sustainable knowledge

based on economy

An optional, transparent

regulatory environment

A continuation of strong and

diverse international relationships

Emirate’s resources

optimization

Premium education, healthcare

and infrastructure assets

A significant and ongoing

contribution to the federation

of the UAE

Maintaining Abu Dhabi values,

culture and heritage

Complete international and

domestic security

Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision

& UAE Innovation Initiatives

UAE Innovation

Strategy, lately

announced,

allocates Billions of

AED to capture

innovation and

become the Innov

Hub for the 2 billion

around..

Academic and R&D

25 out of 81 Higher Education

institution in Abu Dhabi,

including a number of

reputable branches, utilizing

skills of 5900+ staff.

Business

• There exist main line industries that would

love eventually to become innovative and

penetrate international market..

• 95% of local business are SME’s and need

innovation to grow and sustain.

• The UAE is a hub for International giant

Companies. UAE is best suited for

Business. Support for SME’s

• 5 SME support organizations

• 8 Incubators

• 5 SME Banks, VC and

Private Equity

WAMDA Report

However, we are missing … 1. Technology Transfer Organizations

2. Early Stage Finance AF&VC

3. Innovation Firms

Abu Dhabi / UAE Situation (SWOT is needed)

“Science & Technology park” is a vague term used to describe

economic, creative & financial effort to stimulate INNOVATION & the

development of “entrepreneurial, knowledge-based SME’s

within a country or a region within a country.

There are, to date,

212 technology

parks members of

the International

Association of

Science Parks and

295 members of

the Association of

University

Research Parks.

Technology Park; Vague Term

Therefore, We Can have Our Own Approach (This is no way denying the location factor)

ASTF Technology Park; Major Approach

• Utilize/Capitalize on existing :

– recognition and SUCCESS stories

– experience Technology Transfer and Knowledge

Management.

– ties with Academia

– ties with local investment networks

• Establish 2 factories to become the honey “Bee-

House” to scale up level of interest among

“network”

1. ASTF Global Community & TT • Secure TT from local /regional institutions

• Transfer IP from expatriates and Industrial Manufacturing at least 3 over 3 years

2. ASTF RDI • Establish a Focused R Network/Institute

• Create a Human Capital around the TP interests

3. ASTF-AWQAF • Establish a Angle-FUND that comes along with a business

development model.

ASTF Promise