GITEX Future Stars’ Supernova Challenge 2020 awards Brazilian startup Jade Autism top prize of US$50,000
By Yushau Shuaib
TECH DIGEST – Brazilian startup hits the jackpot as GITEX Future Stars draws to an end; three runners-up take home US$10,000 each
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Jade Autism, a startup app that stimulates and develops child cognitive function, has been announced as the winner of the 2020 GITEX Future Stars’ Supernova Challenge – bagging the top prize of USD$50,000.
After a hugely disruptive year for the global startup community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, GITEX Future Stars, organised by Dubai World Trade Centre, has provided a much-needed boost to the startup ecosystem through in-person industry interaction and the creation of new business opportunities.
After a judging panel shortlisted the most innovative startups from 30 countries, the final day of GITEX Future Stars, the region’s most electric startup event, saw 73 game-changing startups from across the globe battle it out for the region’s biggest prize, competing in 12 different categories including the coveted Supernova Champion.
After a highly competitive round of pitching which took place on-site at Dubai World Trade Centre on 6th-7th December, the Jade Autism team from Brazil was declared the winner and named Supernova Champion, while the Supernova finalists came from countries including France, India, Israel, Slovakia, South Korea and the United Kingdom.
Jade Autism is a platform that develops gamified therapeutic solutions for children and adolescents with cognitive disabilities. A start-up from Brazil but now based in Abu Dhabi’s Hub71, Ronaldo Cohin, CEO of Jade Autism: “I am so happy; I didn’t expect to be the champion as there are so many special companies here at GITEX Future Stars. I dedicate this prize to all the people and families of autism; we are a community and we care for each other. We are growing as a company and will use the money to invest and expand in the UAE.”
One Moto from the UAE, which specialises in electric vehicle last-mile solutions, and Radix Technologies from Israel, which focuses on classroom management solutions, won the runner-up prizes of US$10,000 each.
BeeFree Agro from Israel, a drone-based autonomous herding system capable of moving large herds over extensive pastures, was the bonus runner-up winner that also won USD $10,000.
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This year’s edition of the Challenge introduced four new vertical prizes, including Best Innovative COVID-19 solution, Best Martech Startup, Best Social and Environmental Impact and Best Fintech Startup – alongside returning categories Emirati Startup, Ai Startup, International Startup, Youth, and Female-led Startup.
Radix Technologies was awarded the title of the Best Innovative COVID-19 solution. French startup Switchy, a leading innovator in social media link optimisation, was named as the Best Martech Startup, while Jade Autism bagged the title of the Best Social & Environmental Impact. BC Labs from South Korea was adjudged as the Best Fintech Startup.
Michael Shoham, Chief Executive Officer, Radix Technologies, said, “GITEX Future Stars is an exciting opportunity for us. We think that our solution will remain relevant even when COVID-19 will become a thing of the past. Participating in the Supernova challenge made a lot of sense for us, as the UAE is a new and exciting market for us in which we want to expand.”
Other winners included:
Best Ai Startup: iERP, a business prediction platform from Slovakia, helping retail, wholesale and manufacturing companies to increase revenue and reduce costs
Best Emirati Startup: Gallant Pump, from the UAE, a reliable valve-less pump solution that offers trouble-free treatment reduce the blocking caused by fluid particles
Best International Startup: BeeFree Agro, the Israel-based autonomous drone herding system designed to help ranchers save time and money, reduce animal stress and their carbon footprint, and increase yields and productivity.
Best Female-Led Startup: Jaaem, the UAE-based ‘shopping while watching’ e-commerce platform for cosmetics lovers that focuses on user-generated content to drive sales
Best Scaleup: One Moto, the last-mile electric vehicle manufacturer based in the UAE
Best Youth Startup: Dreemzrock Ventures, from India, the gamified social media platform to create, share and network using comical characters, objects and backgrounds
Part of the judging panel, Massimo Cannizzo, CEO and Co-Founder, GELLIFY Middle East, said, “GITEX Future Stars is the place to be, not only giving tech talent the chance to showcase ideas and products, but also fostering a great culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. For GELLIFY, it is a unique opportunity to witness great ideas come to life, as well as identify talented B2B tech startups in the region that can join our portfolio to benefit from our program.”
“GITEX Future Stars has provided a critical and opportune live, in-person event for startups that has allowed them to reconnect with the funding ecosystem after the hiatus inflicted by the pandemic. It is a privilege to support startups by reconnecting them to vital stakeholders and industry influencers who are looking for newfound opportunities created by the disruption of the pandemic,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President, Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre.
