Dubai Backs Global Startups with Big Ideas for Health, Farming and Green Building
DUBAI: Dubai is helping smart new companies from around the world turn science projects into real businesses that can help people every day. The “Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity” programme has selected three startup companies from Switzerland, the United States, and Egypt to launch pilot projects and grow their businesses in the UAE.
The programme is held every year in Dubai under the support of Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and brings together 100 startups chosen from thousands of applications from top universities worldwide. The initiative is organised by Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai International Financial Centre, Art Dubai and the Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation.
The three startups Oxara, P-Vita and Virufy are working on new technologies in construction, farming and healthcare. Dubai Future Foundation CEO Khalfan Belhoul said Dubai gives startups a special place where governments, companies and investors work together to test and grow new ideas quickly. He said the programme helps move inventions from university labs into real-life use.
Oxara: Eco-Friendly Construction
DIFC Authority CEO Arif Amiri said the programme helps Dubai attract some of the world’s brightest innovators and supports the city’s growing economy. Swiss startup Oxara is creating eco-friendly building materials by turning mineral and construction waste into low-carbon products. The company uses much less energy compared to traditional cement production.
Founded by Dr. Gnanli Landrou and Dr. Thibault Demoulin, Oxara has already completed a successful pilot project with a major Dubai concrete company and is now preparing for larger commercial projects in the UAE, Europe and Africa. The company’s technology could help reduce pollution from the global construction industry while also lowering waste management costs.
P-Vita: AI-Powered Farming Solutions
Egypt-based P-Vita uses biotechnology and artificial intelligence to create affordable natural materials for farming, food and medicine industries. The company was founded by environmental engineer Mohamed Tarek Abdelzaher and scientist Naglaa Mohamed from Zewail City of Science and Technology.
P-Vita produces fertilizers designed to help farmers deal with global supply shortages. The company already supports more than 4,800 small farmers and plans to launch more farming projects in the UAE this month.
Virufy: AI Health Screening
US startup Virufy is developing a smartphone app that can detect breathing illnesses by analysing cough sounds using artificial intelligence. Virufy founder Amil Khanzada teaches technology management at University of Fukui and studied at University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University.
The company is now working with Dubai Health on a clinical study involving nearly 200 patients. The project aims to create a smart health screening tool that could one day help up to one billion people in developing countries.
Looking Ahead
The programme is also preparing for its next round with startups linked to major universities including Harvard University, Imperial College London, Duke University and Petronas Technology University.
New projects are expected to begin in the UAE during the second half of 2026. The programme offers funding, business support and industry partnerships to help university researchers turn scientific ideas into successful companies.
Applications are now open for the next “Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity” summit, which will take place in Dubai this November. Students, graduates and researchers from universities around the world can apply to showcase their inventions and join the 2027 programme.
