startAD, the accelerator and entrepreneurship hub anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi, established in collaboration with Tamkeen, has issued a final call out for applications for its inaugural Artificial Intelligence (AI) Venture Launchpad. Teams can apply through startAD’s website and applications close on August 30, 2018.

Open to seed stage AI and Internet of Things (IoT) startups from the UAE and around the world, the AI Venture Launchpad is a 10-day sprint accelerator that helps participants develop a scalable, repeatable, and capital efficient venture. Teams disrupting industries in financial technology (FinTech), insurance technology (InsurTech), regulatory technology (RegTech), airport operations, predictive maintenance, fuel efficiency, and enterprise solutions through AI with Natural Language Processing (NLP), Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, Search, and Data Analytics are encouraged to apply.

Launching on September 30, this sprint accelerator is an opportunity for global startups to enter the UAE market and attract potential investments from key players in the region.  The program is held in partnership with Etihad Aviation Group, a diversified global aviation and travel group comprising of five business divisions – Etihad Airways, Etihad Airways Engineering, Etihad Airport Services, Hala Group and Airline Equity Partners; UAE Exchange, the leading global Money Transfer, Foreign Exchange and payment solutions brand; and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the International Financial Centre in Abu Dhabi.

The AI Venture Launchpad will feature a series of training and mentorship sessions, investor roundtables, pitches, interviews, local customer discovery, and validation activities. Startups will also receive training on how to develop robust go-to-market strategies. Selected teams will be required to attend the full duration of the accelerator.