UK-based blockchain specialist VChain Technology is one of seven companies selected to work with Emirates Airlines at this year’s Dubai Future Accelerators program.
Based on the strength of its proposition, VChain Technology was chosen by Emirates and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners (GDRFA) in Dubai to receive a ‘golden ticket’ for the program, meaning it was accepted onto the accelerator without going through the standard interview process. It is the only UK company selected for the program.
VChain will aim to enhance the travel experience for transit passengers using its GDPR-compliant Identity as a Service (IaaS) solution, which allows airlines and governments to safely verify passenger information, while reducing the need to check and re-check physical passenger IDs at checkpoints by up to 90%.
The Dubai Future Accelerators program facilitates partnerships between entrepreneurs, private sector organizations and government entities to co-create solutions. In total, 245 companies applied to take part in this year’s event, with 118 companies shortlisted for the interview process. Other partner organizations include Etisalat Digital, Dubai Police, Dubai Health Authority and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.
Irra Ariella Khi, founder and CEO of VChain, said, “Our vision is to use quality data, powered by the technologies of biometrics and blockchain, to process passengers while improving security for airlines, governments and security agencies.
“With VChain, passengers will be able to transit without their passport ever leaving their pocket. Meanwhile, Emirates will be able to deliver high-integrity verifications about each passenger to the GDRFA, well in advance of that passenger entering the airport.”
The sixth cohort of the Dubai Future Accelerators program is focused on overcoming three challenges for Emirates: using the latest technologies in blockchain, artificial intelligence and machine learning to build a platform that will redefine business-to-business purchasing and procurement for the airline; creating an integrated platform to support a seamless pre-airport arrival experience for customers; and developing an online system that consolidates all the different processes and steps involved in a cabin crew duty travel.
Companies in the program benefit from access to state-of-the-art creative workshops; time with senior decision makers at Emirates; and contact with businesses and government figures in Dubai.
The fifth cohort of the program includes 12 government partners and 40 participating companies, and resulted in the signing of 26 memorandums of understanding.