Introducing Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity,
a major evolution in our ten-year programme fostering impactful innovation.
In collaboration with the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), and with the generous support of the Hussain Sajwani-DAMAC Foundation, Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity is a strategic program which aims to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges by empowering innovators, academics, and entrepreneurs to bring forward tangible solutions. Dubai Future Solutions is part of the DFF’s portfolio of initiatives which seeks to reimagine, inspire and create a better tomorrow for people and communities around the world.
Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity is a programme which is overseen by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture). The programme aims to foster the development and implementation of innovative prototypes and pilot models, delivering transformative solutions from Dubai to the world.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and the Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Foundation (HSDF), which pledged AED100 million (USD27 million) to support innovation and technology in Dubai and across the UAE. Signed by His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of DFF, and Hussain Sajwani, Founder and Chairman of DAMAC Properties, the agreement makes HSDF a strategic partner of the Dubai Future Solutions initiative, where Prototypes for Humanity is a programme.
His Highness affirmed that Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity serves as a comprehensive programme to support innovators and designers of future solutions around the world and nurture top talent and creative thinkers across all future-oriented sectors. It is a pivotal step towards realising the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a global innovation hub, he said.
“The objective of the ‘Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity’ initiative is to create a dynamic platform that attracts leading innovations, projects, and experimental ideas from across the world, including contributions from bright students, top universities and international institutions, with the aim of transforming these ideas into impactful solutions benefiting humanity. We extend our gratitude to Hussain Sajwani for supporting Dubai’s innovation journey and his dedication to advancing future technologies across sectors,” His Highness added.
Under the guidance of HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, the collaboration between DFF and HSDF will establish a global framework to enhance partnerships with academic institutions, students, laboratories, startups, and leading innovators worldwide. Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity is designed to attract leading global innovations to Dubai, offering a platform for innovators to exhibit their work, drive community improvement, address significant global challenges, and convert experimental projects into thriving startups.
In addition, the programme supports innovators and startups across various future sectors, enhancing job creation, investment opportunities, and market expansion. It aids in patenting innovations and helps transition ideas into viable companies, while providing investment avenues for innovators looking to expand from Dubai to global markets. These objectives will be realised in collaboration with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Dubai Culture.
Furthermore, an annual exhibition is hosted at the Dubai Future District, showcasing the most impactful 100 innovations from the programme. From these, five top innovations are honoured during an annual ceremony.
DFF will also support the Dubai Future Solutions initiative through various national programmes, including the Dubai Research and Development Program, and the Dubai Robotics and Automation Program. Leveraging its integrated ecosystem, DFF will promote entrepreneurship through AREA 2071 and the Dubai Future Accelerators, spotlighting promising projects and talents.
Prototypes for Humanity has evolved over the years, starting life as the Global Grade Show in 2015. Renamed in 2022, Prototypes for Humanity is now a well-established community of professors and their students from more than 800 universities around the world, including from amongst the top institutions, such as MIT, Imperial College London, ETF Zurich and the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The Art Dubai Group oversees this community and, working with it, runs the Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity program.
Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, Prototypes for Humanity has showcased hundreds of innovative projects from over 10,000 applications submitted by students from more than 800 universities worldwide.
Prototypes for Humanity is supported by its founding partners: Dubai Culture, DIFC, A.R.M Holding, and the Investment Corporation of Dubai. In 2024, the community submitted more than 2,700 researched-backed concepts and prototypes, encompassing more than 200 fields across diverse technological and future-oriented sectors, towards the Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity programme.