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Emirates Biotech, UAEU seek value from food waste
Emirates Biotech and UAE University (UAEU) have launched a two-year project to build the country’s first integrated organic-waste valorization pilot plant, turning mixed food waste and compostable packaging into renewable biogas and nutrient-rich compost, according to a press release. Located near the Al Ain campus, the plant will process up to 40 kg of organic waste daily, with installation and commissioning targeted for August 2027, with a full scaling of the plant potentially cutting carbon emissions by up to 89% compared to landfilling.
Making waste work harder. The project will evaluate the process’s technical, environmental, and economic performance through August 2028, creating a potential roadmap for wider deployment. For context: Food waste accounts for nearly 40% of daily municipal solid waste in the UAE.
Musafir moves to take full control of FLYCT
UAE-based travel management group Musafir Holdings is set to acquire full ownership of FLYCT MEA Holdings, the operator of consumer online travel platforms Cleartrip.ae and Saudi Arabia’s Flyin.com, Khaleej Times reports. Musafir currently owns 25% of FLYCT and will acquire the remaining 75% from the founding management team, subject to customary regulatory approvals. No transaction size was specified.
Two travel engines, one roof: The pact brings on FLYCT’s consumer-focused air-booking platforms and established regional customer base into Musafir’s broader regional ecosystem — spanning visa services, holiday packages, corporate travel, and B2B agency solutions.
DFDF backs Nordstar’s AI-focused fund
Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF) is upping its exposure to AI-focused investments, backing UK-based Nordstar Partners’ growth fund, according to a press release. The investment manager’s fund will focus on AI, consumer technology, and fintech. Nordstar already backs Dubai-based rental platform Silkhaus and UAE-based cloud kitchen Kitopi.
The plan: DFDF and Nordstar will support UAE-based firms in their international expansion efforts, with Managing Director Nader Albastaki saying this commitment is about plugging the scale-up gap specifically. Regional late-stage funding is still lagging behind global markets, with more muted funding windows for Series B and beyond.
Nakheel moves Bay Grove into construction
Dubai state developer Nakheel has awarded an AED 800 mn+ construction contract for 537 homes at Bay Grove Residences on Dubai Islands, tapping Metac General Contracting for Phases 1 and 3 of the sold-out waterfront project, according to a press release. The seven buildings are due for completion in late 2028.
There’s still more to come: Bay Grove will eventually comprise 1,154 homes across 15 buildings, with contracts for the remaining 617 homes in Phases 2 and 4 still to be awarded. We covered the project’s launch with 296 homes in Phase 1, while Nakheel has also been pushing ahead elsewhere in its waterfront pipeline, including an AED 2.6 bn contract for 636 Bay Villas homes on Dubai Islands and AED 3.5 bn of Palm Jebel Ali villa contracts.
