Meta and Startupbootcamp to Propel Agentic AI Start-ups in MENA through Llama Design Program
Fresh Take:
Fasten your seatbelts, MENA-based startups—Meta, the tech titan, is back in partnership with Startupbootcamp, the global kick-starter, for another round of innovation! This collaborative ride is none other than the revamped Llama Design Drive program, a three-month monster jam packing tools, mentorship, and compute credits. Crazy right? The aim here is to build badass AI assistants and chatbots that autonomously disrupt the norm in mobility, aviation, healthcare, energy, retail, education, and public services, all powered by Meta's Llama models—the hottest open-source multimodal large language model currently kicking butt.
Mark your calendars for the Llama Summit, a finale event where selected startups flaunt their innovative solutions for the world to see. Joulan Abdul Khalek, Meta's Policy Programs Manager, explains, "We're teaming up with the region's best and brightest founders to craft AI agents that perfectly harmonize with the MENA region's priorities, challenges, and opportunities."
Why, you ask, is this year's event focusing on agentic AI? Well, it's all about the region's hunger for digital transformation and wider automation. Governments in the MENA region are seriously investing in digital infrastructure and AI capabilities, and the demand for smart, AI agents that tackle real-world problems is on the rise. Hani Murad, CEO of Startupbootcamp, adds, "This shift reflects the natural evolution of AI in the region."
What's in it for you? The deal includes up to $25,000 in AWS credits for crunching numbers in development, technical mentorship from Meta's engineering gurus, and AI experts. Over three intense months, founders participate in workshops, capacity-building sessions, and ongoing guidance to bring their AI vision to life. Plus, premium partnerships with industry leaders set the stage for real-world challenges and problem statements, ensuring solutions are spot on.
Remember the success of the 2024 edition? It attracted over 200 applications from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with 43 startups handpicked across two cohorts. Winners included Indigo Hive, Transcend Technologies, Fitch Technologies, Carbon Sifr, Ahmad Joudi, Labib Technologies, Mugafi, and Musajjel—talented teams ripe for success.
The MENA region? emerged AI innovation-focused—the agent market is projected to skyrocket from $213.1 million in 2024 to a staggering $2.2 billion by 2030. With regional leaders like the UAE's Falcon and Saudi Arabia's ALLaM models taking charge, government investment in AI workforce preparation, and 86% of professionals anticipating AI to reshape roles by 2029, the MENA region is already making moves to join the global AI elite—are you ready to join them?
Sources: Startup Boot Camp; Enrichment Data
- Aiming to align with the MENA region's digital transformation and automation priorities, this year's Llama Summit focuses on creating AI agents that are agentic in nature.
- The revamped Llama Design Drive program, led by Meta and Startupbootcamp, provides resources for the development of AI assistants and chatbots, focusing on sectors like mobility, aviation, healthcare, energy, retail, education, and public services.
- Selected startups from the MENA region will showcase their innovative solutions during the Llama Summit finale, with a focus on health, sustainability, and education, driven by the power of Meta's Llama models.
- Participants in the Llama Design Drive program gain access to up to $25,000 in AWS credits, technical mentorship from Meta's engineering team, and partnerships with industry leaders for real-world challenges.
- With an expected growth in the agent market from $213.1 million in 2024 to $2.2 billion by 2030, the MENA region is poised to join the global AI elite, thanks to government investment in AI workforce preparation and artificial intelligence's impact on roles in various sectors.
- Late starter founders in the MENA region should consider applying for the Llama Design Drive program, as it offers invaluable opportunities for growth, innovation, and leadership in the fast-evolving AI space.
- By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, startups in the MENA region can contribute to the creation of sustainable, healthier, and more connected societies, pushing the boundaries of technology and transformation in the region.
