The Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK) has launched the Sharjah Advanced AI Industrial Accelerator at AI Everything Abu Dhabi. The programme aims to attract and scale artificial intelligence-driven industrial companies from the UAE, the wider region and global markets.

Developed under the theme ‘Built for the Super Intelligence Era’, the accelerator will focus on practical industrial applications rather than software development alone. It will help companies turn AI models, algorithms and research into products, pilot projects, production systems and commercially scalable businesses.

Focus Shifts From AI Adoption to AI Creation

SPARK CEO Hussain Al Mahmoudi said the UAE’s next AI challenge is to move from adopting artificial intelligence to creating companies, intellectual property, infrastructure and technologies locally.

He said compute capacity alone cannot build an AI economy. Talent, data, capital, research, regulation, infrastructure and real customers are also essential to commercialise AI technologies.

The accelerator will therefore connect research and intellectual property with prototyping, testing, industrial validation, investment and market access. SPARK also plans to use its innovation facilities as real-world testbeds where companies can validate technologies with infrastructure and users.

Startups to Get Access to Labs, Investors

Selected companies will receive access to SPARK’s ecosystem, including SOILAB, prototyping and fabrication facilities, laboratories and applied research infrastructure. They will also receive specialist mentorship from industry experts, entrepreneurs, investors and commercialisation partners.

The programme will support pilot projects, testbeds, customer discovery and introductions to corporate and government organisations. Participants can also receive support for licensing, business setup, strategic partnerships and expansion across the UAE, GCC and international markets.

SPARK plans to award cash prizes to the top three companies. The first-place winner will receive USD 50,000, while the second- and third-place winners will receive USD 25,000 and USD 15,000, respectively.

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