in5, the innovation centre launched by Dubai Internet City in May 2013 aimed at supporting the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Dubai, has been named the ‘Incubator/ Accelerator of the Year’ at the second prestigious Arabian Business Start-Up Awards, organised by ITP Publishing. in5 was recognised for the unwavering support it provides to start-ups and entrepreneurs, commitment to driving innovation and the role it has played in pioneering Dubai’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Competing against a group of shortlisted incubators, including HI2, Impact Hub, Silicon Oasis Founders – DSOA and TURN8, Majed Al Suwaidi, Managing Director of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone accepted the award on behalf of in5 at the ceremony.

A number of in5’s members were shortlisted for several other categories at the awards, including Ibrahim Colak, Founder of MrUrsta and Thea Myhrvold, Founder of the Online Tutoring Platform for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award; Benjamin de Tressac, Founder of Carpool Arabia and Lojain Jibawi, Founder of Votek, the Arabic speech recognition technology for Entrepreneur of the Year, and Fishfishme for the Start-up of the Year.

Speaking after the ceremony, Majed Al Suwaidi, Managing Director of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone said;

“I am delighted to have accepted this prestigious award on behalf of in5, and extend my warm congratulations to all of the in5 members who were shortlisted in the various categories this year. Since its inception, in5 has grown to become a thriving and dynamic community, home to some of the region’s leading start-ups and talent, and the success stories seen within its first year are testament to the support in5 provides to its members.

“The volume of entrepreneurs and start-ups setting up businesses in the region continues to grow year on year, and the availability of investors, access to thousands of international businesses and a thriving ICT industry all contribute to making the UAE a compelling destination for entrepreneurs and new start-ups.

“In line with the new vision of Dubai’s leadership to transform the Emirate into an innovation-driven economy, in5 will continue to focus on stimulating creativity and the development of new technologies, and will play a major role in this next stage of Dubai’s growth.”

Since its official launch last year, in5 has received over 500 applications from tech start-ups and entrepreneurs, and is currently home to over 50 companies from across the technology value chain. in5 provides its members with logistical and set-up support, mentoring, training, access to funding and a dynamic and engaging environment from which to launch a product or service.

Further information about In5’s application and selection process can be found at www.in5.ae.

-END-

About in5

in5, an innovation centre launched by Dubai Internet City (DIC), part of TECOM Investments, aims to foster and promote entrepreneurship and innovation in order to further develop the technology start-up ecosystem in Dubai and the region.

In5 provides infrastructure, support and a dynamic and engaging working environment to entrepreneurs from the early stages of idea creation through to idea implementation and the commercial launch of a product or service.

Further information about in5 and its selection process can be found at www.in5.ae

Contacts

Alexa Hooft Graafland

AHooftGraafland@bell-pottinger.com

+971555597404

Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/12947/en