Dubai Future Accelerators appoints key team members

Two key team members have been appointed to the newly launched Dubai Future Accelerators program.

Part of the Dubai Future Agenda and run by the Dubai Future Foundation, the program provides innovative companies around the world access to leading government partners to test new technologies that address 21st century challenges.

Jon Bradford will serve as executive advisor, while Paul Smith has been named program head.

Bradford is known as the "Godfather of European Accelerators," as he has assisted in the launch of nine accelerators spanning from Montreal to Moscow. He also launched the first accelerator bootcamp outside of the United States and co-founded one of the largest social networks for entrepreneurs in the world called F6S.

Smith co-founded European accelerator program Ignite, as well as the award-winning co-working space Campus North dedicated to supporting technology startups. He was previously an entrepreneur-in-residence at Techstars and has helped coach more than 200 entrepreneurs.

"We have no doubt that Jon Bradford's and Paul Smith's experience and deep knowledge -- coupled with their ability to achieve outstanding results -- will support our efforts to attract the best and most innovative startups, and to overcome the challenges facing the economic sectors of the cities of the 21st century," Dubai Future Foundation CEO Saif Al Aleeli said. "We are certain that these experts will bring immense experience to their roles in the Accelerators program, and contribute to building our national capacities."