Cultivating WANA's tech and innovation ecosystem for global impact

In the May edition of our Peers Around the World series, we speak with Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park) and IASP WANA Division President. Under his leadership, SRTI Park has rapidly evolved into a global hub for innovation with a focus on sustainable initiatives, championing key sectors such as clean mobility and Healthtech. We caught up with Hussain to explore the park’s latest projects and to hear his perspective on the power of international collaboration and the values that shape his vision for Sharjah’s future and that of the region.   

With Sharjah seeing a surge in international investment and global visibility, how does SRTI Park contribute to the Emirate’s broader economic and innovation strategy, and what makes it an attractive destination for global innovators and entrepreneurs?  

SRTI Park is one of the fastest growing technology parks in the Middle East, diligently shaping the future of research and technology. SRTI Park is driving an innovation ecosystem that promotes research & development and supports enterprise activity through the triple helix collaboration of industry, government and academia. It provides an environment conducive to creativity and innovation by creating a sustainable park with world-class infrastructure and services.  

Our strategy is aligned with Sharjah’s vision of becoming a knowledge hub of the region. The Emirate was recognized as the 5th fastest-growing city globally in FDI attraction in 2024 by FDI Markets. Sharjah’s position as a leading entrepreneurial hub was also boosted by the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) which placed it 4th in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, and 7th in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s startup ecosystem rankings. Our park is dedicated to the development of the region by continuously striving to improve our ecosystem and ensure the success of our resident companies.  

SRTI Park has recently made major strides in clean transport, Healthtech, and future mobility — from converting combustion trucks to electric vehicles to launching flying car initiatives. Which of these projects do you feel best reflects your vision for the park, and how do you identify the right initiatives to support? 

Our vision for SRTI Park has always been to be a beacon of innovation in our region, and to enable the core priority areas we’ve identified – healthcare, advanced manufacturing, mobility & logistics, and sustainability – to thrive in our ecosystem.  

As Healthtech is one of our key focus areas, many innovation-driven healthcare companies seek partnerships with us. Recently, we welcomed ONE Paris, a French startup that is revolutionizing skincare and wellness through sustainable longevity-focused products, to our ecosystem and aim to bring some amazing longevity products to the region as a result of this collaboration.   

In mobility, we’re also working to drive innovation, with the acclaimed Flying Car of the renowned Dutch company PAL-V making the headlines. The vehicle – the first to complete the full certification basis with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency – functions as a conventional vehicle on ground but can be quickly converted into an aircraft. Talks are ongoing between PAL-V and SRTI Park to establish a long-term collaboration. Aside from flying vehicles, the UAE’s first high-speed electric Skypod network is in trial phase at the Park on a 2.4 km suspended track that will allow pods hanging on a super-strong string rail to travel at high speeds.   

The work being done in AgriTech and clean energy is genuinely impressive. These are fields I feel a strong personal connection to, understanding their critical value for our future. 

It's incredibly fulfilling to contribute to the success of these innovative companies and actively engage with them as they develop. 

The recent partnership with Roche is a milestone in SRTI Park’s journey toward building a Healthtech innovation ecosystem. How do collaborations like this shape the Park’s strategic focus and its role in the region? 

The new partnership with Roche Diagnostics Middle East forms the core of our Healthtech focus, with the shared goal of finding solutions that enhance patient care at every touchpoint.   

The partnership aims to drive environmental sustainability in laboratory operations through the implementation and advocacy of sustainable lab certification standards. The scope also includes working together to develop opportunities for healthcare innovation that employ biotech and digital health solutions to enable personalized medicine and strengthen regional capabilities.     

As an IASP Board Member, WANA Division President, and someone deeply engaged in building international bridges, how do you see global connections influencing the future of AOIs, IDs, and STPs, especially in the WANA region? How do these interactions with international peers impact your own perspective? 

The world has truly become a global village, and collaboration is the name of the game. In the WANA region, AOIs, IDs, and STPs are in a nascent stage but the pace of development is rapid, as governments are keen to boost startup ecosystems.   

As WANA Division President, I would like to use my position and expertise to help spread the culture of innovation and assist regional countries in setting up new hubs based on global models. Hence, interaction with international peers is of vital importance. Already, I can see accelerated activity in this field in the WANA division, but I also believe there is a lot of work to be done. 

Your leadership approach blends public sector insight with private enterprise experience, and you’ve highlighted the importance of creativity and storytelling at SRTI Park. What core values guide your leadership, and how do culture and community play a role in shaping your innovation ecosystem? 

The pivot of SRTI Park’s model is the tripartite collaboration between industry, government and academia. The private sector is certainly the kingpin, but the public sector too holds major importance. Blending the best of both worlds to create great partnerships is the key.  

One of the most effective tools is to adopt Adaptive Leadership – a practical framework for addressing complex challenges that require behavioral changes and new learning. This approach is not focused on maintaining stability and solving technical problems with known solutions but instead, on specifically tackling problems without clear answers that demand innovation and organizational adaptation.  

Understanding cultural nuances and emotional intelligence are two key requisites for good leadership. We at SRTI Park go the extra mile to ensure that our stakeholders abide by these principles for the sake of the common good.