Startupbootcamp partners with Meta to support MENA startups

• American tech giant Meta has joined forces with Startupbootcamp MENA to encourage the adoption of AI use cases in the MENA business environment,
• Startupbootcamp (SBC) is a global network of industry accelerators that supports startups by providing direct access to a worldwide network of qualified mentors, partners and investors.
• The partnership will leverage Meta’s open Large Language Model (LLM) Llama 3.1 for product innovation and development, and will attempt to address key issues facing businesses in the region.
• Startups that qualify for the program will have the opportunity to quickly participate in a global program sponsored by Meta, where they can count on funding of up to $500,000 for further development of their products.

Press Release:

Meta, an international technology leader, and Startupbootcamp, a leading startup accelerator with over 1,600 successful startups, have partnered to strengthen the MENA startup scene. This strategic partnership aims to empower local startups with cutting-edge AI technologies by launching Llama Design Drive, a program specifically designed to address the needs of the MENA region.

The program will consist of three four-week sprints conducted across the region—UAE, KSA, and Egypt. These cohorts will include intensive capacity-building workshops and mentoring sessions to empower participating startups. Strategic partnerships with industry leaders, including RTA (The Roads and Transport Authority), Chalhoub Group, and Dubai Holding, have been forged to guide the definition of design challenges and explore cutting-edge AI-enabled solutions.

The Meta and Startupbootcamp program addresses a critical need: bridging the gap between established companies and the dynamic world of AI startups to support homegrown AI innovation. Llama Design Drive enables MENA startups to leverage the open Big Meta language model, Llama 3.1, to develop products that address real-world challenges in mobility, aviation, energy, retail, and real estate.

Llama Design Drive offers a win-win situation for startups and enterprises. Startups gain invaluable experience by collaborating with leading companies on real-world challenges while leveraging Llama 3.1 to develop cutting-edge solutions. Enterprises, in turn, benefit from the opportunity to explore and co-create solutions to some of their most pressing problems using this AI technology. The initiative aims to demonstrate the power of open source collaboration between ecosystem players to create significant impact and unlock business value.

Startups that qualify for the program will have the opportunity to quickly participate in a global program sponsored by Meta, where they can count on funding of up to $500,000 for further development of their products.

“Our program not only promotes the implementation of AI technologies to develop solutions for corporate challenges, but also facilitates networking among startups, corporations, and industry experts to expand their networks and gain valuable knowledge and technical skills,” explains Ibrahim “Abe” Seksek, MENA General Manager at Startupbootcamp.

“The world is excited to see how AI can add value to people’s lives,” said Joulan Abdul Khalek, Policy Program Manager, Africa, Middle East, and Turkey at Meta. “Llama Design Drive is a great example of how open source can bring people together to create meaningful AI solutions. Through this, we hope to create a thriving community of tech talent across the region, working with them to unlock the potential of these exponential technologies to address real-world challenges.”

MENA is well positioned to embrace AI, with governments and businesses across the region beginning to see a global shift towards AI and advanced technologies. In absolute terms, the Middle East is expected to capture 2% of total global AI benefits in 2030, with AI’s contribution to GDP expected to grow annually across the region at 20-34%.