The UAE's Journey to Becoming a Global Innovation Hub: VentureOne Perspective

The United Arab Emirates has rapidly evolved into a global hub for innovation through strong national strategies and growing support for research and technology development. The Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) plays a central role in nurturing early-stage ventures and building an innovation-driven ecosystem. On July 18, 2025, IDC spoke with Reda Nidhakou, CEO of VentureOne, an ATRC-backed venture builder behind companies such as AI71, Quantum Gate, SteerAI, and Nabat. The discussion focused on VentureOne's mission to create advanced "Made in the UAE" technologies, its global ambitions, and the challenges it faces in scaling innovation."VentureOne is catalyzing the UAE's rise as a global innovation hub and driving the 'Made in the UAE' movement. By commercializing advanced technologies, supporting pioneering research, and nurturing homegrown ventures, it empowers Abu Dhabi to shape the future through regional and global impact - fostering a robust, sustainable innovation ecosystem that aligns with the Advanced Technology Research Council's vision for technological leadership and national prosperity." - Melih Murat, associate research director, artificial intelligence, Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa, IDC.