Forging Future Frontiers: Urban Futures Spa Explores Abu Dhabi and Signs MoU in Dubai for MEA Urban Innovation
During the past week, two members of our Board, Davide Rota and Massimo Favini, embarked on a bold mission to Abu Dhabi. The objective? To explore the exciting possibilities of establishing a local presence for our startup studio in this vibrant capital.
During his stay, Davide and Massimo had the privilege of meetings with prominent figures who could play a pivotal role in our entry into the Emirati market:
- GOP Lawyers: Legal experts who provided valuable insights into navigating the local regulatory environment.
- An influential member of the ruling family, as well as the founder of a pioneering company facilitating connections between the United Arab Emirates and the rest of the world. His support could be crucial in ensuring a smooth and advantageous transition for Urban Futures Spa.
- A distinguished Italian manager with a strong track record in local business development. Her background and knowledge of the territory could prove to be an invaluable asset to us.
Discussions highlighted some key points:
- Strategic Localization: The ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) emerged as the ideal location to establish our presence. This global financial center attracts high-profile companies and offers a conducive business environment.
- Local Partnerships: It is essential to establish strong partnerships with influential figures in the local community to ensure the long-term success of our operations.
- Technological Opportunities: Abu Dhabi offers a fertile ground for the development of new technologies. This positions us uniquely to capitalize on the growing opportunities in the sector.
In tandem with these developments, Urban Futures Spa, thanks to several months activities by our President Bas Boorsma, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with esteemed partners: DUBAI INTEGRATED ECONOMIC ZONES AUTHORITY, an authority established pursuant to Dubai Law No. 16 of 2021, BABLE GmbH, URBAN INNOVATORS INC. and RIT DUBAI. This MoU serves as a cornerstone agreement, laying the foundation for collaborative efforts in advancing urban innovation throughout the MEA region.
The purpose of this landmark agreement is to formalize and solidify our collective commitment to exploring further collaboration and business opportunities. Together, we aim to leverage our expertise in advisory, education, assessment, venture building, and other business modalities to enhance urban life and foster positive economic outcomes for all stakeholders involved.
Based on these promising steps, we have outlined a series of potential developments for our local branch that we are planning to establish:
- Expansion of Existing Businesses: Bringing our studio's companies into Abu Dhabi's and Dubai dynamic ecosystems.
- Creation of New Ventures: Leveraging our proven methodology to create new innovative ventures directly in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
- Focus on Artificial Intelligence: Harnessing the best of emerging technologies, including the verticalization of AI as proposed within some of the EU programs where we could be involved.
- Participation in Local Ventures: Using our local branch as a platform to actively participate in promising ventures in the Emirati market.
The vision of the future is clear: Urban Futures Spa is poised to take significant strides forward in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, embracing the challenges and opportunities of this fascinating global market. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting new phase of our entrepreneurial journey!