TECOM Group, a member of Dubai Holding, has announced the launch of a new innovation centre ‘in5? to support the emirate’s design and fashion industry allowing entrepreneurs, students, and start-ups to transform creative ideas into commercial ventures.
Story originally published on Design MENA
The in5 space will be located in the Dubai Design District (d3) as the third business incubator under the in5 network.
Current plans outlines the opening date to be January 2017.
The centre will feature specialised facilities as well as offering industry-focused training and mentorship to its members. It will also include co-working spaces, offices and community areas that are “designed to inspire creativity”.
Members will be able to connect with community-wide networking events, as well as gaining access to investors and industry-led marketing research.
The in5 facility will also provide a prototyping lab inclusive of 3D printers, electronics and other forms of modern machinery for designers to create with materials such as metal, wood, plastic as well as textiles.
Members will also have access to a dedicated library for raw materials and design workstations to help develop concepts into prototypes.
” in5 was first launched as we recognised a gap in industry resources catering to the specific needs of entrepreneurs setting up their businesses in Dubai to create impact across our region,” said Malek Al Malek, CEO, TECOM Business Parks.
“Having started with technology, in5 has evolved to supporting start-ups in the media sector and now with our entry into design, we will aid in setting a new benchmark in creativity. in5’s innovation centres will enable us to remain at the forefront of economic progress and Dubai’s future transformation into a destination for economic growth,” he added.
“Mentoring the creative community is a key part of d3’s vision and through in5, we see our vision becoming a reality, supporting the design and fashion industry through offering students, entrepreneurs and new businesses the opportunity to transform their ideas into successful commercial ventures,” said Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, COO of Dubai Design District.
“in5’s technology innovation centre has successfully helped incubate 160 start-ups which have secured over AED 58 million in funding till date. In 2015, in5 established a multi-sector presence announcing the first of its kind media innovation centre in the UAE.”
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