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Unifonic Selected in First Cohort of National Technology Development Program’s Bridge Initiative

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Unifonic has been selected as one of the companies in the first cohort of the Bridge Initiative by the National Technology Development Program (NTDP). The program aims to support high-growth startups to expand into global markets by providing various financial subsidies.

The selection of Unifonic in the initiative was announced during TechXpand, a premier technology event organized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in Riyadh. In addition to the support provided by NTDP and the Ministry, the startup’s accomplishments further link to the significant support from various other authorities in the country, including Saudi Unicorns.

Ahmed Hamdan, CEO and Co-Founder of Unifonic said: “We are delighted to be selected in the Bridge Initiative’s first cohort. This accomplishment reinforces our pioneering role in the industry, recognizing our relentless efforts to provide an affordable enterprise-grade multilingual omnichannel communications platform across the Middle East. We extend our gratitude to our team, clients, partners, and the government for their unwavering support, which has bolstered our position as a global market leader in the SaaS sector.”

The National Technology Development Program plays a crucial role in advancing the technology ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. Through various interventions and support mechanisms, it enhances effectiveness and fosters sustainable growth, aligning with the initiatives of other stakeholders. Additionally, the program empowers key enablers in the technology market, who strive to position the country as a preferred regional hub for innovation and industry investment.

Under the program, Bridge Initiative participants, including Unifonic, can leverage various benefits to enhance their regional and global presence. One of the key benefits for national companies in the IT and emerging technologies sector is the extensive support to increase local market share and global exports. Similarly, the program encourages the local private sector to embrace IT solutions, initiatives, applications, and services. It also helps attract both local and global companies that support innovation and research centers that are key for the IT sector. Furthermore, NTDP contributes to the localization of the IT sector, particularly by increasing local content in the field of emerging technologies.

Unifonic’s selection in the initiative marks a significant step in its long-standing commitment to support its client base in the Middle East region. Since its inception in 2006, the company consistently developed its product line and offers an affordable enterprise-grade multilingual and omnichannel communications platform across the region. Furthermore, Unifonic achieved a groundbreaking milestone by securing over USD 21 million in the largest-ever Series A financing for a Saudi startup in 2018. The subsequent Series B round saw an impressive increase, with the startup raising a remarkable USD 125 million.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia experienced substantial growth in its entrepreneurial ecosystem, driven by the Saudi Vision 2030. The growing startup community reflects the country’s commitment to diversifying its economy and decreasing its dependence on oil trade. Currently, the Saudi startup community is well-positioned as a hub for innovation and disruption in the region, especially with the support of the government, investors, and startup incubators. Additionally, by embracing change and creating innovative solutions, these startups are poised to meet the demands of both local and international markets.

Unifonic, honored to be selected for the prestigious Saudi Unicorns Program earlier this year, is on an inspiring trajectory to become a software unicorn. Over the years, Unifonic has assisted numerous clients in implementing omnichannel customer experiences as part of their digital transformation. This has reshaped the brands’ engagement with their audiences, surpassing expectations for seamless digital interactions. It has also enabled contemporary, dependable, and effective business messaging across industries with its no-code, automation and orchestration platform. The strategic acquisition of Sestek’s AI-powered conversational suite in 2022 further strengthened Unifonic’s AI solutions, empowering the customer interaction platform to automate personalized end-to-end omnichannel experiences.

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Vertiv and Caterpillar announce Energy Optimization Collaboration to Expand End-to-End Power and Cooling Offerings for AI Data Centers

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Vertiv, a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, and Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), a global leader in power systems, today announced the signing of a strategic undertaking to collaborate on advanced energy optimization solutions for data centers. This initiative will integrate Vertiv’s power distribution and cooling portfolio with Caterpillar’s, and its subsidiary Solar Turbines’, product and expertise in power generation and CCHP (Combined Cooling, Heat and Power) to deliver pre-designed architectures that simplify deployment, accelerate time-to-power and optimize performance for data center operations.

A Powerful Collaboration:

This collaboration directly addresses the growing demand for on-site energy solutions that deliver reliable power and cooling. Together, the companies are able to offer a fully integrated solution with validated interfaces and performance, enabling customers to accelerate design, installation and deployment.

  • Caterpillar and Solar Turbines will supply power generation solutions, such as natural gas turbines and reciprocating engines, to deliver dependable, scalable electric power and thermal energy for CCHP.
  • Vertiv will provide a complete portfolio of power and cooling solutions and services, packaged as modular, pre-designed blocks, to shorten design cycles and standardize deployment.

The Customer Advantages:

  • Accelerates Time-to-Power – by utilizing predesigned, modular reference architectures to speed up deployment time.
  • Lowers PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) – enables improved energy efficiency and carbon footprint because the system is optimized end-to-end: power, cooling, distribution and dynamic load management, compared to traditional design.
  • Global lifecycle support – the offering is backed by the trusted, global service and support networks of both Vertiv and Caterpillar.

“This collaboration with Caterpillar and Solar Turbines is a cornerstone of our Bring Your Own Power & Cooling (BYOP&C) strategy and aligns seamlessly with our grid-to-chip framework by offering resilient, on-site power generation solutions. This is optimal for customers looking to reduce or eliminate grid dependence,” said Gio Albertazzi, CEO, at Vertiv. “By combining our complementary technologies, portfolios and expertise, we are enabling coordinated integration. Our pre-engineered, interoperability-tested building blocks let customers execute design, build and deploy concurrently, with predictable system performance.”

“As AI-driven workloads continue to accelerate, the demand for robust and scalable power infrastructure and cooling is becoming increasingly critical,” said Jason Kaiser, group president of Caterpillar Power & Energy. “Our collaboration with Vertiv will enable us to deliver integrated, on-site energy solutions that lower PUE and meet customers’ evolving needs.”

This initiative directly addresses the growing demand for on-site energy solutions and offers a coordinated, customer-first approach to solution design and implementation. The Vertiv and Caterpillar Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) represents a pivotal step in further refining this ecosystem, enabling customers to overcome energy constraints and deploy optimized AI centers.

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ASUS Presents “Design You Can Feel” at Dubai Design Week — A Multi-Sensory Journey Through Craftsmanship, AI, and the Future of Laptop Design

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ASUS Presents “Design You Can Feel”

ASUS has opened the doors to its most immersive exhibition yet, Design You Can Feel, at Dubai Design Week 2025 — where emotion, functionality, and innovation collide to shape the future of personal technology. Featuring the exclusive Zenbook Ceraluminum™ Signature Edition and the world’s lightest Copilot+ PC, the Zenbook A14, the showcase invites visitors to experience how ASUS is transforming everyday devices into objects of desire — built to be felt, owned, and adored.

Held at Atrium Building 5 in Dubai Design District (d3), the interactive exhibit replaces the traditional tech display with a sensory journey — spotlighting not just what ASUS builds, but how it makes people feel. It is a rare chance for consumers to get up close, try the devices, and even purchase them at exclusive Design Week prices.

“Zenbook has always been about design that connects emotionally. With the Copilot+ PC lineup, we’ve reached a new era — one where your device responds to you, understands you, and becomes a seamless part of your creative and personal life,” said Coraline Lin, Marketing Director of, ASUS.

WHAT VISITORS EXPERIENCED INSIDE “DESIGN YOU CAN FEEL”
Zenbook Ceraluminum™ Signature Edition

The centerpiece of the exhibit, crafted from ASUS’s proprietary Ceraluminum™ — a material that blends the durability of ceramics with the weightlessness of aluminum. Available in four finishes inspired by nature, this ultra-premium collectible edition laptop was built to redefine what luxury tech feels like. The tactile experience is unforgettable — and so is the fact that visitors can purchase it on-site.

Visitors can also explore the AL-FORM Furniture Range — a collection of sculptural chairs that explore the materiality of Ceraluminum™. One chair in the collection is made entirely from Ceraluminum™ — and visitors are encouraged to touch, guess, and interact. It’s design that tells a story — and acts as the perfect lead-in to a purchase moment.

To complement the experience, a bespoke Ceraluminum™ Bukhoor burner adds a UAE-inspired sensory layer to the space — signaling ASUS’s deep respect for local culture while showcasing just how far the material can go.

 INTERACTIVE HIGHLIGHTS

“Thincredible Table”

A hands-on disassembly experience where visitors can explore what makes ASUS laptops ultra-thin, ultra-durable, and ultra-desirable — from board design to external finishes. The more visitors understand what’s inside, the more they’ll want to own one.

SUSA by Future Facility

A conceptual piece redefining device interaction — made from oxidized Ceraluminum™ and powered by AI. It challenges everything we know — and want — from modern devices.

Tech-Art Installation by Dr. Ahmad AlAttar

A brainchild of Emirati roboticist and artist Dr. AlAttar, this immersive artwork transforms touch into sound — a symbolic bridge between human emotion and machine response. It embodies ASUS’s message: the future of tech is alive, reactive, and emotional.

EXCLUSIVE DESIGN WEEK OFFERS — AVAILABLE ON-SITE AND ONLINE

For the first time ever, ASUS is uniting a design exhibition with a purchase campaign. Visitors can shop exclusive deals of up to AED 2,000 off on select Zenbook and ProArt laptops — both in-person and through the ASUS eShop.

Featured devices include:

  • Zenbook S16 (UM5606) – 16” Copilot+ powerhouse
  • Zenbook DUO (UX8406CA) – Dual-screen innovation
  • Zenbook A14 (UX3407) – The world’s lightest Copilot+ PC
  • ProArt P16 (H7606) – Creator-grade performance
  • ProArt PZ13 (HT5306) – Versatile 2-in-1 detachable
  • ProArt PX13 (HN7306) – Convertible creator experience

Whether you’re a creative professional, a student, or a tech enthusiast — this is the moment to own the most advanced ASUS laptop at the best price of the year.

Visit ASUS at Atrium 5, d3 — feel the design, fall in love, and take it home.

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Corning presents vision to support UAE’s next-level growth through glass innovation

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Corning is proud to present its innovations at the inaugural CORTechX technology symposium in the Middle East, held on November 12, 2025, in Dubai. This event showcases how Corning’s cutting-edge technologies are enabling faster data connections, advancing medical breakthroughs, and creating energy-smart spaces — emphasizing its renewed commitment to the region’s vision for AI, smart infrastructure, life sciences, and sustainability.

Corning in the UAE and Gulf Corporation Council

Corning has had a presence in the UAE for nearly 20 years, empowering in-building networks with optical fiber and cabling solutions.

For over 10 years, Corning’s life sciences products have supported research, diagnostics, and bioprocessing in the region.

Corning maintains a network of local partners, distributors, and integrators in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, fostering collaboration and innovation through training and certification programs.

“For decades, Corning has been quietly enabling progress across the UAE and Middle East – supporting networks, laboratories, and technologies that connect people and data. From AI-enabling technologies, advanced diagnostics, consumer electronics innovations, and energy-smart spaces, Corning’s technologies are empowering industries across telecommunications, life sciences, mobile consumer electronics, sustainability, and smart infrastructure.” – Gokhan Doran, International Vice President and General Manager, Corning International

“The Middle East and especially the UAE is at an inflection point. With its vision for AI, smart infrastructure, life sciences, and sustainability, this region now mirrors everything Corning stands for – Innovation, Quality, Performance, and creating long-term value. We are here today to not only introduce Corning, but also reemphasize our commitment to the region.” – Sudhir Pillai, Managing Director, Corning India, President, Corning India, Middle East, and Africa.

Corning Transforming the telecommunications industry for nearly 50 years.

As the inventor of the world’s first low-loss optical fiber in 1970, Corning revolutionized global connectivity. Today, Corning’s fibers are 100 times better than the original invention, offering unmatched performance.

Corning’s Vision for AI Data Centers – Enabling Generative AI Through Glass

Generative AI (Gen AI) is transforming industries, and at its core is Corning’s revolutionary glass technology, which plays a pivotal role in enabling AI. From optical fiber networks to semiconductor components, Corning’s glass innovations are driving AI forward. Corning holds over 1,000 approved and pending patents related to data centers, with 100 patents filed in the last year alone.

Inside Data Centers: Scaling Fiber Density

Gen AI requires greater fiber density to network GPUs (Graphical Processing Units) effectively.

Optical fiber, invented by Corning over 50 years ago, is critical for high-speed data transmission and allows for compact server environments that maximize processing power.

With 72-GPU nodes, fiber density needs have increased 16x compared to traditional cloud architectures.

Corning is already innovating to meet future GPU demands, ensuring space optimization with slimmer fibers and connectors.

Outside Data Centers: Driving more fiber connections between cities

To accommodate growing GPU cluster sizes with the massive computer power required for today’s Gen AI learning models, data centers are expanding into campuses with multiple data halls. And operators need to quickly build out high-density connections to get these data enters up and running. Corning is uniquely positioned to meet these needs.

Power and land constraints, as well as varying regulatory frameworks, are prompting data centers to spread out into regional hubs – creating a need for long-haul networks to connect them. We call this our Data Center Interconnect segment, or DCI. DCI cables have to maximize data flow between data centers, and that requires high fiber density, lower attenuation and fast installation.

Corning GlassWorks AI – Tailored Solutions for Gen AI Data Centers

Corning’s GlassWorks AI provides a comprehensive suite of products and services to enable agile, scalable, and high-density networks for the demands of generative AI. Leveraging optical innovation and industry collaboration, we offer solutions that unlock AI’s full potential:

Corning SMF-28 Contour Optical Fiber: 40% slimmer than conventional fibers, enabling compact designs.

Corning Contour Flow Cable: Doubles the density of traditional optical cables for faster deployment.

Corning MMC Connector: Boasts 36x the density of standard connectors.

Customized Connectivity Solutions: Tailored designs for unique network architectures, accelerating installation and reducing errors.

Corning’s Groundbreaking Technologies Across Industries

Life Sciences

Corning has been a trusted partner to the scientific community since 1915, with innovations like PYREX glass. Corning’s investments in bioprocess, cell therapy, 3D cell culture, and genomics research are helping scientists cure diseases and push the boundaries of discovery.

For the Middle East, Corning offers a comprehensive range of innovative, high-quality products and solutions for life science research and bioproduction through an extensive dealer network to serve the local customers.

Corning is advancing medical breakthroughs through technologies like Corning Valor® Glass, which protects drugs better than traditional glass packaging.

Trusted brands like Falcon, Axygen, and PYREX are found in over 100,000 laboratories worldwide.

Mobile Consumer Electronics

Corning Gorilla Glass has revolutionized smartphone durability since its debut in 2007, enabling damage-resistant, scratch-proof devices. Over 8 billion devices globally feature Gorilla Glass.

Innovations like Gorilla Glass DX/DX+ enhance mobile photography with improved light capture and reduced reflections.

In March 2025, Corning introducedCorning Gorilla Glass Ceramic, an innovative, transparent, and strengthenable glass ceramic material to help bring advanced toughness to more mobile devices. Gorilla Glass Ceramic significantly improves drop performance on rough surfaces compared to competitive aluminosilicate glasses.

Corning’s advanced optics are enabling immersive experiences in augmented reality and 3D sensing.

Corning Enlighten Glass is rewriting the rules for window technology

As a long-time innovator, Corning is always looking for synergies where our material science and process manufacturing expertise intersect with critical global macro trends such as high-performance buildings and sustainable construction. One of the latest areas where we are applying our glass science and manufacturing expertise is the architectural industry. 

As one of the largest glass markets in the world, the architectural glass space is a natural fit for Corning, and we believe innovation in the windows industry is an important issue to work on. Nearly 25% of global energy production is used to heat and cool buildings* (Source: Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2019  )

While windows represent around 10% of the total surface area for buildings, they represent nearly half of a home or business’s heat loss**(Reference from Referenced by Stephen Selkowitz at the NGA Glass Conference, Jan 24-26, 2023)

Corning has been working on a suite of solutions to improve thermal performance within the fenestration industry.

Corning Enlighten Glass is an enabling technology for high-performance windows and doors that can significantly enhance the thermal performance, comfort, and aesthetics of built environments. 

Enlighten Glass is a lightweight center pane that that can be integrated into high-performance window and door designs for insulated glazing units or in laminate applications.

Enlighten Glass’ benefits include increased energy efficiency and occupancy comfort with 2-3x thermal resistance; weight reduction by 20-50% in IGUs, making installation and operation easier; and a reduced carbon footprint by 20-40% compared to soda-lime glass alternatives  

Enlighten Glass has an inherently lower Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) than soda-lime glass due to its boro-aluminosilicate composition, which means that Enlighten Glass has lower thermal stress under temperature gradients, so it does not need to be heat strengthened. Heat strengthening is necessary with soda lime glass to prevent its inherently higher risk of thermal field failure with its high CTE.    

Enlighten Glass is formed through Corning’s proprietary fusion draw process which has become the industry’s most efficient method for producing pristine, thin, stable flat glass.

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