Meta has joined forces with Startupbootcamp to encourage the adoption of AI use cases in the MENA business landscape.
Meta, a multinational technology giant, and Startupbootcamp, a startup accelerator with over 1,600 successful startups, have collaborated to boost MENA’s 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—in the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. These cohorts will feature intensive capacity-building workshops and mentorship 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 solutions that leverage AI.
The program by Meta and Startupbootcamp addresses a critical need: bridging the gap between established companies and the dynamic world of AI startups to foster home-grown innovation using AI. Llama Design Drive allows MENA startups to use Meta’s open-source large language model, Llama 3.1, to develop products that tackle real-world challenges in mobility, aviation, energy distribution, retail, and real estate.
Llama Design Drive offers a win-win situation for startups and corporations. Startups gain invaluable experience collaborating with leading companies on real-world challenges while leveraging Llama 3.1 to develop cutting-edge solutions. Corporations, in turn, benefit from the opportunity to explore and co-create solutions to some of their most pressing problems using this AI technology. Thus, the initiative aims to demonstrate the power of open-source collaboration between ecosystem players to create meaningful impact and unlock business value.
Startups recruited into the program will have the opportunity to be fast-tracked into a global program sponsored by Meta with the chance of receiving up to US$500,000 to support further development of their products.
