• HSBC

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation launches 'Philips Innovation Program'

  • United Arab Emirates: Thursday, February 19 - 2009 at 12:06
  • PRESS RELEASE

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation together with Royal Philips Electronics and in local partnership with Berytech Technological Pole announced, during a major press conference held at le Vendome Intercontinental hotel, the launch of a competitive process aiming at stimulating local talents and young innovative entrepreneurs to develop solid business concepts supported by advanced technology innovations.

The conference was attended by Alaa Al Afifi, Director-Entrepreneurship for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, Louis Hakim, Vice President of Royal Philips Electronics and CEO of Philips Middle East, Maroun N. Chammas, President of Berytech, representatives of major Lebanese universities, students, aspiring entrepreneurs as well as media personalities.

The objectives of the "Research Innovation Program" are to promote the development of broader and deeper innovation capabilities throughout the Arab region, which would contribute to future sustainable economic growth and the creation of new employment opportunities. The Foundation and Philips will offer access to sophisticated technology facilities and cultivate innovative concepts from the Arab world with the access to the local partner incubator facilities and technical assistance of Berytech.

Alaa Al Afifi, Director-Entrepreneurship, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, declared in his speech:
"Through this program, we aim at empowering the new Arab generation to innovate and create, which will open new opportunities of a brighter future for the Arab World."


Louis Hakim, Vice President of Royal Philips Electronics and CEO Philips Middle East, confirmed during the press conference, "We strongly believe that the capabilities of the young people in this region will meet the highest standards of professionalism in the field of technological innovations."

And to add: "The winning innovators will have the opportunity to develop their business case during an internship within Philips' High Tech Campuses, R&D and incubator facilities, all expenses paid."

"We, at Berytech, strongly believe in giving entrepreneurs chances. We are proud to be partners in this venture to offer a platform of creativity and a think tank where entrepreneurs can nurture their ideas and from there, run the chance of getting worldwide exposure," declared Maroun Chammas, President Berytech.

Three winning innovators will be selected annually to be hosted at Philips R&D sites for up to six months to develop their innovation into well developed cases. Arab nationals, primarily university students of engineering schools and universities as well as independent entrepreneurs can apply by visiting Berytech website.
Alaa Al Afifi, Director-Entrepreneurship for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. 
Alaa Al Afifi, Director-Entrepreneurship for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.
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Notes and Media Contacts »

About Royal Philips Electronics:

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 121,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR26bn in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare.

About Berytech:

Berytech Technological Pole is the first Lebanese business development centre, providing hi-tech hosting, incubation, training and counseling to SMEs. Since its inception, Berytech become a national reference for SME support, overseeing the establishment of tens of start-ups and created more than hundreds of jobs in technology sectors such as IT and multimedia.

Berytech brings innovation, information and business together while helping people on the road to self-employment by assisting existing and aspiring entrepreneurs to identify new projects and business opportunities, develop their entrepreneurial skills, and help them access information, local and international networks as well as funding.

About MBRF:

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation has been launched with an endowment of $10bn, as a personal initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The launch of the Foundation was one of the key highlights of the speech given by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, during the World Economic Forum on the Middle East 2007, which took place at the Dead Sea, Jordan. Under three strategic sectors: Culture, Entrepreneurship and Employment, and Knowledge and Education, the Foundation aims to develop the knowledge and human capabilities of the Arab World, to introduce a future generation of regional leaders.

Media contact:

Kholoud Arif
Senior Media Relations Executive
JiWin Public Relations
Dir: +971 4 361 3599
Fax: +971 4 368 8001

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