Technology Innovation Labs for Youth

For unemployed graduates, the technology innovation labs will train youth on new technology such as Internet of Things, robotics, augmented and virtual reality, renewable energy for the purpose of developing creative solutions that can be sold in different channels

Introducing multinational technology innovation labs in different technology areas such as internet of things, augmented and virtual reality, robotics, 3D printing to train unemployed graduate youth to integrate with multinational global value chain including selling in Arabic speaking emerging markets at the same time promote creative innovative applications by Palestinian youth using these new technologies.

Multinationals would provide access to new technology and equipment, training, mentoring, investment and channels to market for the benefit of Palestinian youth employment either as a new startup or as a service center team that would outsource to the multinational sales and marketing channels.

The physical location of these labs can take place at the Palestine Techno Park, which promoted knowledge base industry and creating new job through technology to Palestinian youth.

The ethos of this proposal is that there is a narrow window of opportunity to skill Palestinian youth on newly developed technologies that are developed by multinational technology companies.

The hypothesis is that these technology innovation labs would empower Palestinian youth to be the future workforce that can integrate with the multinational regional and global eco-systems and support its expansion.

This is one way how disadvantaged Palestinian youth can be helped to gain new skills and be employable.

The Technology Innovation Labs Theory of Change is explained below:

Impact:

• Align with New 21st Century Technology Jobs to Palestinian youth
• Increase income to youth

Outcome:

• Youth skills improved
• Improve entrepreneurship eco-system in Palestine
• Youth voice and choice are improved
• Integration with global multinational value chains achieved

Output:

• Training of Youth on New Technology Achieved
• Establishing the Innovation Labs
• Training of Trainers Achieved
• Establishing a Mentors Network with Multinational Achieved
• Market to Multinational Channels Achieved
• Establishing New Startups Achieved
• Establishing New Service Centers Achieved

Activities:

• Developing Partnership with Multinationals on Establishing Innovation Labs
• Procurement of Tech and Equipment
• Training and Capacity Building
• Business Development
• Technology Transfer
• etc

Input:

• Funding
• Management Team - Palestine Techno Park
• Innovation Lab Physical Space - at Palestine Techno Park

• Training Teachers on New Technology
• Training Graduates on New Technology
• Training Mentors on New Business Models

Project reporting - 30 - 50 teachers trained on new technology and training 1000 graduate on new technology

Project reporting

New markets accessed - New applications developed

Project reporting

Number of financing secured

New team formation

New markets accessed - New start ups created

This is a pitch specifically designed to create new jobs for the Palestinian context since it is a challenge for multinationals to be attracted to the Palestine Techno Park on pure commercial basis, while at the same time, it will allow Palestinian youth to access new technologies and be exposed to multinational staff.

The Innovation Labs will produce many new applications and products for the benefit of the social and economic sectors in Palestine. These new applications and products will be developed by trained Palestinian youth.

The Innovation labs will be open to youth, graduates, academics, private sector

The revenue generated from leasing office space at the Palestine Techno Park and leasing access to innovation labs to private sector

Little market traction and appetite to new technology

Lack of support by multinationals throughout the process of establishing the innovation labs and setting up the management processes for it

Create more new tech related jobs in Palestinian targeting unemployed graduates

Increasing the income of youth and improve their living conditions and provide them with hope

Government of India is providing the Palestine Techno Park with a generous donation to establish the Techno Park building, green landscape and infrastructure.

Other Accelerators, Incubators and Tech Hubs in Palestine who might want to execute on this idea