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Prototypes for Humanity

About

Prototypes for Humanity is the most diverse assembly of innovations that has the power to change the world, with programmes and activities to raise awareness of global problems, celebrate solutions, and catalyse action for positive social and environmental impact.

Each year, participating graduate projects offer audiences the opportunity to enter a universe of academic ingenuity rarely seen outside the campus, through the work of young minds addressing complex issues around the world. The initiative brings together key stakeholders who can accelerate impact action, including graduates, professors, and leaders in government, corporates, and entrepreneurial ecosystems, leveraging academic innovation and harnessing the power of partnerships to deliver tangible real-world impact.

An initiative by the Art Dubai Group, it is held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation and Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, and supported by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

Celebrating Ingenuity

Each year, we engage with thousands of students and professors across over 700 universities, in 108 countries and 200+ research fields, looking for the most impactful environmental and social innovations, and we gather together in Dubai for a showcase of the top 100 projects. We invite the academics behind each idea to join our showcase and week-long series of activations in-person, aiming to create connections between bright minds and peers, industry, supporters, and global audiences.  Each edition also presents prizes to exceptional researchers from our community, as part of the Prototypes for Humanity Awards.

Venture-building Programme

We bring together training, hands-on venture building support and mentorship to help graduates advance early-stage impact innovations towards implementation and investment-readiness.

Designed to empower and develop projects and founders at the time they need it most, the programme fosters exceptional innovations coming out of academia – an area quite often overlooked by traditional venture capital.

Professors' Collaboration

An initiative launched in 2023 looking for research synergies between the professors in our community, across all disciplines and countries. The programme brings together (in person in Dubai and remotely) curated groups of academics working to address similar challenges, offering a platform for exchange between leading academics across the world.

Patronage

Prototypes for Humanity is held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and member of the Dubai Council.

Art Dubai Group

The Art Dubai Group (ADG) is a commercial public/private partnership that since 2005 has owned and operated the region’s most successful cultural events as well as offering its industry expertise to private and government institutions. The company’s mission is to develop sustainable ecosystems that support the development of vibrant creative scenes through a portfolio of events and programmes.

Partners

Learn more about our partners