Future of Ports Startup Challenge
Gulftainer is launching the Future of Ports Startup Challenge on June 22, 2020. The challenge is open to startups who’ve developed technologies that will transform the ports and logistics industry.
- The Future of Ports Startup Challenge is aimed at entrepreneurs and startups developing groundbreaking, highly disruptive technologies that could redefine the supply chain and logistics industry.
- The challenge will be open from June 22 through August 15, 2020 to participants from around the world.
- The Future of Ports Startup challenge is seeking founders with a vision for the future and chasing groundbreaking innovation in technology areas that will transform the industry.
- The challenge will award $10,000 to each of the winning startups and provide the opportunity to explore deployment or co-development of their technology.
- Apply here: www.gtinnovationchallenge.com.
We’d like to announce the upcoming launch of the Future of Ports Startup Challenge 2020. The challenge is organized by Gulftainer, one of the world’s largest port and logistics operators, to identify startups disrupting the port management and logistics industries. Gulftainer has partnered with GSVlabs, a leading global innovation platform, to engage startups in four unique areas of opportunity where Gulftainer is pursuing new solutions:
- Internet of Things and Robo-Doctors
- Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Drones
- Big Data and Advanced Analytics
- Blockchain
- Bring Your Own Idea
Gulftainer is challenging entrepreneurs and startups to set their mark in the port ecosystem, to grow, and to position their solution in the industry. Gulftainer isn’t just looking for incremental technology or “easy fixes”. Instead they’re committed to developing long-term partnerships with emerging technology companies and working together to build the port of the future.
How The Challenge Works:
The call for applications will remain open from June 22 to August 15 and startups interested in participating can apply through Future of Ports Startup Challenge website here: www.gtinnovationchallenge.com.
Once all of the proposals have been evaluated, the winning startups will be invited to Silicon Valley, CA, to present their projects to an audience made up of leaders across the port and logistics industry, innovation, and investment on November 5th, 2020. In addition to the introduction to new investors and industry leaders, Gulftainer will award $10,000 to each of the winning startups and provide the opportunity to explore deployment or co-development of their technology.
More Information About The Technology Tracks
IoT and Robo-doctors
The expansion of IoT and AI has created the opportunity for automated monitoring of critical equipment using smart sensing technology. These tools have the potential to significantly reduce maintenance costs and unplanned downtime. In the future, ports will pursue 100% predictive maintenance and repair, autonomous “robot-doctors” with the ability to fix anomalies at greater speed and accuracy and 3-D printers that can print required spare parts on site.
AI and Autonomous Drones
The increasing maturity of artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities combined with reduced costs of drone and geo-spatial technologies, has created unprecedented opportunities to enable fully automated operations, including autonomous inspections and drone-based cargo and container deliveries.
Big Data and Advanced Analytics
Big data and analytics technologies are making it easier than ever to gain real-time insights into business operations and perform automated modeling and simulations. These insights can help port operators optimize terminal operations, eliminate supply chain inefficiencies and maximize utilization of infrastructure. In the future, the movement of all physical objects and infrastructure will be digitally recorded and represented to provide perfect insight into operations.
Blockchain
Blockchain technology will revolutionize the data exchange processes within ports and global supply chains, drastically reducing shipping transit time and cost, with increased transparency. In the future, “cooperating” robots that take over transport and machine handling will use blockchains to transact and validate, integrating seamlessly with supplier systems and reducing human intervention in document heavy transactions.
Bring Your Own Idea
The above tracks and descriptions are guidelines to the disruptive technologies Gulftainer is looking to embed within their operations. Over and beyond these tracks, we welcome pitches from start-ups that encompass exponential technologies and futuristic business models that will completely disrupt the ports and logistics industry.
About Gulftainer:
Established in 1976, Gulftainer is a privately owned, independent port management and 3PL logistics company based in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and for more than 40 years Gulftainer has been delivering a world-class performance to its customers. Gulftainer’s global footprint spans the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, including operations in the UAE, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and the USA.
Gulftainer is excited to create an open, collaborative platform to lead the port industry’s revolution, engaging startups, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to create the future of the ports and logistics industry. For more information on Gulftainer, please visit: www.gulftainer.com
To know more about Gulftainer’s 2020 Future of Ports Startup Challenge open call, please visit: www.gtinnovationchallenge.com.
About GSVlabs:
Global Silicon Valley Labs — GSVlabs — is a worldwide innovation platform headquartered in Silicon Valley with over 19,000 startups, 450 investors and 75 enterprise partners in our network. Our mission is to create the world’s premier global innovation platform — accelerating startups and connecting corporations to exponential technologies, business models, and ideas. With GSV Passport™ we are catalyzing the world’s innovation ecosystem and connecting Silicon Valley to the World and the World to Silicon Valley.
