Fikra Labs to accelerate travel and tourism innovation

As part of UAE Innovation Month in February, which aims to strengthen the country's position as a global innovation hub and celebrate innovators across the UAE, four Abu Dhabi organisations – The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Miral Asset Management, the Abu Dhabi government organisation responsible building lifelong visitor value for the Emirate, Etihad Aviation Group and Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) – supported by international financial centre Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), have partnered with Wamda, an entrepreneurship empowerment platform, to launch a new acceleration programme called Fikra Labs.

Aimed at driving innovation and fostering entrepreneurship in the Abu Dhabi travel and tourism sector, the Fikra Labs acceleration programme will provide startups with mentorship opportunities and the chance to win a potential monetary investment. Held at the Etihad Innovation Center, the acceleration programme will take place across multiple phases and is open to startups across the MENA region. 

Following the initial registration and screening process, selected participants will take part in a four-week incubation process where they will tackle specific travel and tourism challenges set by the four partners. They will be mentored on their ideas throughout, before refining their business plans and developing prototypes in partnership with industry experts as well as major travel and tourism players Abu Dhabi.