• UAE-based Farmin and Kanari AI have won the 2021 GITEX Future Stars’ Supernova Challenge for their achievements in the artificial intelligence field.
• Both startups, who are part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) have won $4000 each, after being selected from over 700 entries that were received this year.
• Founded in 2019, Farmin, an AI-powered platform that delivers critical insight for smart cities, was selected as the best Emirati startup. Meanwhile, Kanari AI, founded in 2020, was named the Best AI innovator for its Arabic speech and voice technology solutions.
• The Dh2 billion MBRIF initiative was launched in 2015, aiming to empower innovative businesses through its two key programmes; the Innovation Accelerator programme and the Guarantee Scheme.

Press release: 

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF), an initiative launched by the UAE Ministry of Finance to support innovation in the UAE, today announced that two of its members; Farmin and Kanari AI were crowned winners of the 2021 GITEX Future Stars’ Supernova Challenge. 

Farmin, an Artificial Intelligence-powered platform that delivers critical insight for smart cities, won the award for Best Emirati. Meanwhile, Kanari AI was named the Best AI innovator for its cutting-edge Arabic speech and voice technology solutions. The winners were announced by an expert panel after three rounds of pitching, with the final taking place on-ground at Gitex Future Stars, Dubai World Trade Centre on 20th October 2021.

Speaking of the wins, Fatima Al Naqbi, Chief Innovation Officer at the Ministry of Finance said: “We are incredibly proud of Farmin and Kanari AI for winning the GITEX Supernova Challenge. Both innovators have developed incredible technology and have demonstrated their winning talent and dynamism during the course of this competition. 

She added: “At MBRIF, we support promising entrepreneurs and innovators by providing them with access to tailored mentorship, networking, market access and affordable funding to achieve sustainable growth and impact. Both Farmin and Kanari AI were selected as winners because of their huge positive impact on society, solving real-world problems.” 

Dr Ali AlHammadi, CEO and founder of Farmin, said: “Winning this challenge is another recognition of the achievements of Emirati innovators and a testimony on our advanced technology and its great potential in servicing the UAE and supporting the local innovation ecosystem.”

Ryan Carmichael, CEO and founder of Kanari AI said: “By winning best AI startup at the Gitex Future Stars Supernova Challenge, Kanari AI was recognised not only for having the leading Dialectal Arabic speech technologies, but also for the tremendous potential that exists for this technology in the region.”

Farmin and Kanari AI made their way to the top from over 700 entries that were received this year. The entrepreneurs hailed from diverse sectors AI, fintech, blockchain, e-commerce, education, healthcare, environmental & social impact, immersive tech, smart cities/IoT, software, tourism & hospitality, space tech, sports tech & creative economy. 

 

Since its inception, MBRIF seeks to empower innovative businesses through its two key programmes; the Innovation Accelerator programme and the Gaurantee Scheme.