Page 13 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2025

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Omantel Innovation Labs Showcases Omani

Startups at Mobile World Conference

Omantel Innovation Labs proudly
announced its participation at 4 Years
from Now (4YFN), the startup arm of the
prestigious Mobile World Congress (MWC)
event in Barcelona, Spain,. The globally
acclaimed event gathered industry leaders,
technology innovators, and visionaries
to showcase the latest advancements in
mobile technology and digital innovation.
This year Omantel Innovation Labs
showcased four graduates from its
programs, demonstrating local talent in
the areas of AI, drones, data analytics,
and e-procurement. In addition to having
a space within the Omantel Innovation
Labs booth, the startups also pitched
their solutions on the 4YFN stage where
they captivated audiences and sparked
interest among global investors and
technology leaders, showcasing Oman
as a hub for technological excellence and
entrepreneurial ambition. Speaking on the
participation, Her Highness Ghada Al Said,
Senior Manager of Omantel Innovation complex operational workflows. hub for innovation and entrepreneurship,
Labs, said: “It’s a pleasure to be back at • Zabonex: An Omantel employee-born while demonstrating their ability to bridge
4YFN to showcase Omani startups on a startup coming from its Entrepreneurship local talent with global opportunities.
global platform. The startups that were program, Fikra, Zabonex helps FMCG Strategic collaborations, such as Omantel's
selected represent the variety of startups manufacturers and retailers to recapture partnership with Alaian, further underscore
within our portfolio, already have customers the full value of their perishable products, the Labs’ commitment to connecting
beyond Oman and are ready to scale. This reduce food waste and manage their Oman’s innovations with world-leading
event comes as part of our commitment stock through ML-powered dynamic tech ecosystems. Omantel Innovation
to bridging local innovation with global distribution and sales prediction. Labs plays a pivotal role in the growth of its
opportunities to advance Oman’s digital Additionally, Omantel Innovation Labs startups by providing access to advanced
transformation journey.” reaffirmed its strong collaboration with technologies, mentorship programs, and
The four participating startups were: Alaian, an international alliance of telecom networking opportunities. From refining
• Bidbid: A B2B fintech and e-procurement leaders, with whom Omantel partnered business strategies to connecting startups
platform revolutionizing live bidding last year. This partnership focuses on with global investors and partners, the Labs
processes while providing actionable advancing startup ecosystems through act as a launchpad for scalable success.
insights through advanced data analytics. mentorship, funding, and global market For the participating startups 4YFN,
• iLab Marine: An automated underwater exposure. Such collaborations continue to Omantel offered critical support in honing
inspection platform for the maritime enrich the Lab’s capabilities in empowering their pitches, preparing them for global
logistics sector, utilizing underwater startups to scale and succeed. audiences, and ensuring their innovations
drones (ROVs) to create digital twins and Through its continued participation in met the demands of competitive
applying AI-powered analytics to identify prestigious global events like MWC and international markets. This successful
anomalies and predict future scenarios. 4YFN, Omantel Innovation Labs reinforces participation underscores Omantel’s role
• Orki: Empowering individuals and online its standing as a key player in the global as a leading innovator, supporting a thriving
businesses with AI-driven agent teams, tech ecosystem. By showcasing Oman- tech ecosystem and paving the way for a
seamlessly managing personal and based startups on such an international brighter digital future.
business tasks, from scheduling to platform, the Labs position Oman as a

13 MARCH-APRIL 2025