UAEU Highlights 31 Startup Innovations at ‘Ideas to Prototype’ Demo Day

The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) hosted the ‘Ideas to Prototype’ Demo Day at its Science and Innovation Park, celebrating thirty-one startup projects selected from over 181 applications by aspiring student entrepreneurs. The event marked the conclusion of an intensive acceleration program designed to transform early-stage ideas into tangible prototypes and business solutions.

Held in the presence of His Excellency Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University, the event brought together students, faculty members, mentors, judges, and strategic partners from both public and private sectors.

In his opening remarks, the Chancellor highlighted the importance of fostering innovation and empowering youth through practical learning experiences.

“Today we gather to witness the outcomes of many remarkable entrepreneurial journeys. These have transformed ideas into innovation, imagination into impact, and vision into viable ventures,” he stated. “These are real-world solutions addressing pressing challenges in health, sustainability, education, and advanced technologies. Each team demonstrated creativity, resilience, and leadership. These are qualities that reflect the spirit of innovation we nurture here at UAEU.”

Throughout the program, the selected teams received expert mentorship, developed working prototypes, engaged with potential users, and presented their solutions to a panel of judges and stakeholders. The prototypes presented included smart glasses for the hearing impaired, an AI-powered sign language trainer tailored to Arabic dialects, a smart maternal and foetal monitoring system, and humidity-to-water technologies for sustainable access to drinking water. Other innovations similarly demonstrated the students’ awareness of market-entry conditions for future-oriented solutions.

The Chancellor offered his deep gratitude to the mentors, faculty, judges, and strategic partners, acknowledging that their contributions were key to the program’s success. In conclusion he said, “Today is a celebration of what is possible. It reminds us that innovation is not a distant dream, but a practice. Innovation starts with an idea and the courage and determination to bring that idea to reality.'"

Dr. Shawqi Kharbash, CEO of the UAEU Science and Innovation Park said, “The Science and Innovation Park exists to drive UAE innovation by forging connections between stakeholders, by facilitating the commercialization of ideas, and by preparing the next generation of business leaders.”

This event is an example of UAEU’s culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and demonstrates how educational institutions can support the development of an economy based on knowledge and ideas.