IndustryMeetsTalent is an initiative run by Next Arabia in partnership with Mastercard Foundation. This initiative aims to solve some of the major industry pain points by leveraging talents and solutions at universities and TVETs. Unlike traditional approaches that focus on training and education (supply-driven), this initiative focuses on identifying real industry pain points and then using existing or newly developed talents to solve these industry pain points in order to create dignified work and entrepreneurship opportunities (demand-driven).

The main objectives of IndustryMeetsTalent are to solve major industry pain points, create dignified work opportunities, and promote entrepreneurship. By leveraging the talents and solutions available at universities and TVETs, the initiative aims to address industry challenges and provide sustainable solutions for the benefit of both industries and academia.

This initiative is unique because it is industry-driven, meaning it focuses on solving real industry needs. It identifies suitable solutions and skill sets at universities and TVETs to address these needs. Selected teams will undergo a training, coaching, and industry engagement program to enhance their capacity. The initiative concludes with a Deal Day where the industry can onboard the selected teams as suppliers of solutions or as employees.

• Access to industry through visits, access to experts, site visits
• Impact-oriented training program to learn market-relevant skill sets
• Hands-on 1-on-1 coaching to implement learnings into action
• Access to all training materials
• Support towards transport costs for team members to attend sessions
• Publicity/visibility of teams and their projects
• All activities are free of charge for the participating teams

The application portal opens on July 21st 2023, and closes on August 21st 2023.