Al-Baz Initiative for Arab Capabilities
A continuing initiative transforming innovations into actual companies, products, and services that benefit Arab society. Not just awards?real impact.
"It's Time to Work" - ?? ???? ?????
Not Just Another Competition
The Al-Baz Initiative for Arab Capabilities for Development and Innovation is fundamentally different from conventional competitions. This is not about certificates or awards ceremonies?it's about creating real companies that serve Arab society.
The initiative represents a continuing program across multiple future rounds, where finalists receive investor connections and institutional support to launch startups serving the Arab region. The Foundation's objective is establishing actual companies on the ground, not just recognizing ideas.
Initiative Motto
"It's Time to Work"
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Vision
An Arab society strengthened by technological capabilities that achieve innovative social and economic development.
Mission
Provide essential expertise in scientific and technological fields through coordinated mechanisms supporting local development, enabling Arab community members to transform ideas into viable projects with conditions for success and sustainability.
Primary Objectives
Skill Development for Innovators
Help innovators understand what skills and factors they need to transform their innovation from a dream into reality, and work on developing them.
Advancing Arab Innovation
Stimulate the Arab community to convert innovations into tangible outputs—actual companies, products, and services that benefit society.
Bridging Critical Gaps
The initiative addresses three primary dimensions that innovators face during product and service development:
Knowledge Gaps
Educational and informational deficiencies that prevent innovators from understanding market needs, technical requirements, or business fundamentals.
Practical Gaps
Implementation and operational challenges in prototyping, testing, production, and bringing innovations to market.
Investment Gaps
Funding and financial resource needs to scale innovations from concept to commercial viability.
Focus Fields
The initiative prioritizes innovations in six critical sectors for Arab development:
Water
Energy
Industry
Health
Agriculture
Security
Flexible Participation Pathway
The initiative accommodates participants whose innovations are at various development stages, from conceptual ideas to established startups. The maturity level of your innovation determines your trajectory within the program.
Entry Points
Idea ? Lab Results ? Prototype ? Startup
Progression Pathway
Preparation ? Development ? Application or Investment
Participation Requirements
The initiative welcomes participants across all ages, sectors, and specialties. Here are the key requirements:
Eligibility
- Team leader (or individual applicant) must be Arab
- Open to all ages, sectors, and specialties
- Must possess knowledge with economic and development value
- Teams may include non-Arab members
- Maximum team size: 6 members
Project Criteria
- Addresses social or economic development needs in the Arab world
- Contains innovative idea or new application
- Feasible and genuinely viable for implementation
- Does not infringe intellectual property rights
- Priority given to projects targeting economic returns and job creation
Application Process
- Submission via official application form required
- Complete submissions with all required documentation
- Previously submitted ideas to earlier rounds or similar competitions are acceptable
- External experts (Arab or non-Arab) may be consulted if relationships are formally documented
Named After Arab Scientist Dr. Farouk El-Baz
The initiative honors Dr. Farouk El-Baz, a distinguished Arab scientist and founding board member of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation, whose pioneering work in space science and geology has inspired generations of Arab innovators.
Round 1 Success Story
Conducted Under Presidential Patronage
The first round was conducted under the patronage of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, aimed at presenting innovative technological solutions for problems related to Egypt while creating job opportunities for youth through innovation.
Participation Metrics
303
Total Projects Submitted
506
Registered Innovators
11
Countries Represented
Geographic Reach
270 projects from Egypt and 33 from abroad representing Saudi Arabia, UAE, Lebanon, Palestine, Libya, Algeria, Iraq, Yemen, plus Arab teams from Czech Republic and USA.
Participants ranged from 13 to 65 years old, demonstrating the initiative's appeal across all age groups.
Sector Distribution
- Energy: 37% of projects
- Persons with Disabilities: 26%
- Health: 20%
- Agriculture: 10%
- Water: 7%
Additional focus on biotechnology, nanotechnology, information technology, and robotics.
Media Impact
Over 333 publications across the Arab world published approximately 850 news items, with 17+ television interviews on regional and international channels.
Round 1 Winner: Moeen Hyaline
Investment Prize
One Million Egyptian Pounds
Innovation Details
The winning project developed an integrated manufacturing system for wastewater treatment. The innovation created a device that purifies wastewater through electrolysis using aluminum electrodes—without expensive filters or harmful chemicals.
Real Impact
The innovation successfully transitioned from concept to operational company. This exemplifies the initiative's core mission: establishing pioneering companies operating in critical sectors like water desalination and wastewater treatment, addressing practical challenges facing Arab communities through technological innovation.
Organized by Arab Science & Technology Foundation
ASTF serves as the main organizer of the Al-Baz Initiative, leveraging its extensive regional network and expertise in supporting scientific research, technological innovation, and entrepreneurship for sustainable development.
ASTF's Regional Reach
27,000+
Scientists and researchers across Arab nations
8
Specialized scientific and technological networks (biotechnology, women in science, nanotechnology, tech entrepreneurs, microelectronics, science media, renewable energy, materials science)
140+
Annual events across 18 Arab countries
11
Regional competitions encompassing over 50 local competitions
ASTF connects universities and research centers regionally and internationally, linking scientific outcomes with industry, investment, and community needs while promoting emerging talent and youth skill development.
Partnership & Sponsorship Opportunities
The Al-Baz Initiative offers organizations a unique opportunity to support Arab innovation while gaining strategic visibility and market reach.
Sponsor Benefits
Market Reach
Access to a significant segment of society with high purchasing power and economic capacity.
Visibility & Prominence
Distinctive opportunity to display sponsor capabilities and developmental role to Egyptian and Arab society through extensive media coverage, events, and finals.
Strategic Alignment
Direct access to innovative projects that may match sponsor needs while showcasing emerging talent for future leadership roles.
Multi-Channel Exposure
Presence across all initiative stages, public programs, media coverage, and final competitions.
Interested in becoming a partner or sponsor? Contact ASTF to learn more about available sponsorship packages and partnership opportunities.
Ready to Transform Your Innovation?
Join the Al-Baz Initiative and turn your idea into a real company serving the Arab world. This is your time to work.