News

Hub71 Launches Exclusive Capital Club In Abu Dhabi

The global tech ecosystem’s new venture will help family offices to access technology and startup investments in the region.

Published

2 years ago

October 28, 2022

Nour Nasir

Hub71

Abu Dhabi’s tech ecosystem, Hub71, has just launched a new platform called Tech Barza, an exclusive capital club dedicated to increasing investment in technology companies and startups in the region.

The platform targets regional family offices for exclusive entry to Hub71’s community of nearly 200 startups, with an aim to accelerate funding. In 2021, $2.6 billion was generated across the MENA region for startup-related projects, representing a massive 138% improvement from the previous year. Tech Barza will help to continue this trend, helping startups and tech innovators to hook up with investors and get products to market faster.

The inaugural meetup of Tech Barza included leading family offices at Hub71, which is based in the international financial center Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Members of the exclusive club will gain access to pitch days, investor networks, and other business events, with many led by Hub71’s partner Mubadala Investment Company.

Also Read: 10 Best VPN Services For The Middle East (Free & Paid)

“The private sector has a key role in shaping the next 50 years of our nation, and family offices are, without a doubt, the heartbeat of the economy. With the launch of Tech Barza, we will not just support the economic growth of the region, but we will also bring diversity and inclusivity to family offices, removing the misconception of crowding out, and reinforcing the mission of knowledge sharing,” says Badr Al-Olama, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Hub71.

Since the launch of Hub71 in 2019, the global tech ecosystem has channeled AED 3.2 billion into the startup community and secured funding to grow several sustainable ventures which will positively impact the UAE’s capital.

News

Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent

According to Korean sources, the new wearable will launch alongside the Galaxy S25, with the accompanying software platform unveiled this December.

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2024

Nour Nasir

samsung smart glasses teased for january software reveal imminent

Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated smart glasses in January 2025, alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25. According to sources in Korea, the company will first reveal the accompanying software platform later this month.

As per a report from Yonhap News, Samsung’s unveiling strategy for the smart glasses echoes its approach with the Galaxy Ring earlier this year. The January showcase won’t constitute a full product launch but will likely feature teaser visuals at the Galaxy S25 event. A more detailed rollout could follow in subsequent months.

Just in: Samsung is set to unveil a prototype of its augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently in development, during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event early next year, likely in the form of videos or images.

Additionally, prior to revealing the prototype, Samsung plans to introduce…

— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) December 3, 2024

The Galaxy Ring, for example, debuted in January via a short presentation during Samsung’s Unpacked event. The full product unveiling came later at MWC in February, and the final release followed in July. Samsung seems to be adopting a similar phased approach with its smart glasses, which are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.

A Collaborative Software Effort

Samsung’s partnership with Google has played a key role in developing the smart glasses’ software. This collaboration was first announced in February 2023, with the device set to run on an Android-based platform. In July, the companies reiterated their plans to deliver an extended reality (XR) platform by the end of the year. The software specifics for the XR device are expected to be unveiled before the end of December.

Reports suggest that the smart glasses will resemble Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in functionality. They won’t include a display but will weigh approximately 50 grams, emphasizing a lightweight, user-friendly design.

Feature Set And Compatibility

The glasses are rumored to integrate Google’s Gemini technology, alongside features like gesture recognition and potential payment capabilities. Samsung aims to create a seamless user experience by integrating the glasses with its broader Galaxy ecosystem, starting with the Galaxy S25, slated for release on January 22.