VChain Technology is one of just seven companies out of 200+ applicants chosen as part of the latest Dubai Future Accelerators cohort, which this year is focused on solving three core challenges. VChain is working as a partner with Emirates and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners (GDRFA) in Dubai over the course of the programme.
The challenge undertaken by VChain and local partners is to enhance the passenger experience for transit passengers in Emirates Airline airports – and Dubai in particular – with VChain’s GDPR-compliant identity-as-a-service solution, which allows airlines and governments to safely verify passenger information. This reduces the need to check and re-check physical passenger IDs in airports by up to 90 percent, delivering a seamless passenger experience while improving airport security.
In total, 245 companies applied to take part in the Dubai Future challenge, with 118 companies shortlisted for the interview process over six months. Based on the strength of its technology, team and proposition, VChain Technology was chosen by Emirates and the GDRFA to receive a Golden Ticket for the programme, which meant that it was accepted onto the accelerator without going through any of the Dubai Future Accelerators’ interview process. It is the only UK company selected for this programme.
“We’re proud to be working with a government and an airline that are so forward thinking, as we work to achieve something that has never been done in the aviation industry before,” said Irra Ariella Khi, Founder and CEO of VChain. “Together with our partners, Emirates and the GDRFA, we are delivering innovation that could potentially set a new world standard in improving passenger experience and ultimately the immigration and security process with innovative passenger ID checks.
“Increasing passenger numbers in airports mean we have to improve security but without negating and compromising the passenger experience. Our vision is to use quality data, powered by the technologies of biometrics and blockchain, to process passengers less while improving security for airlines, governments, and security agencies at the same time. 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 current 6th cohort of the Dubai Future Accelerators, in partnership with Emirates, is focused on overcoming three challenges for Emirates:
· Using the latest technologies in blockchain, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, build a platform that will redefine business-to-business purchasing and procurement for the airline
· Create an integrated platform to support a seamless pre-airport arrival experience for customers travelling on Emirates
· Develop an online system that consolidates all the different processes and steps involved in a cabin crew duty travel
Companies in the cohort benefit from access to senior decision makers at Emirates, state of the art creative workspace, support in accessing businesses and government contacts in Dubai – which creates the potential for game-changing partnerships, mentors to advise the business through growth, and more.
VChain has previously won UK competition Pitch@Palace 9.0, the programme established by HRH The Duke of York to support entrepreneurs with the expansion and acceleration of their business ideas, where VChain was up against 42 other blockchain, big data and cybersecurity contestants. VChain is also a strategic partner to IATA (the world’s association of airlines) and the recipient of its inaugural Innovation Award in Q4 2018. With the winner decided by hundreds of airline executives, the award was focused on delivering One Identity – the aviation industry’s vision of the future of passenger experience.
VChain recently presented at IATA’s annual AvSec World in Miami, where it featured in talks on disruptors and enablers of aviation security and balancing biometrics, facilitation and security. There, CEO Irra Ariella Khi presented VChain’s vision for how the aviation industry can meet rising government expectations for passenger passport details (API details) before travel. VChain is developing and delivering the first steps towards IATA’s One Identity vision; firstly in partnership with IAG, and now taking it further than ever before with Emirates Airlines.
VChain CEO, Irra Ariella Khi and Amna AlRedHa, programme manager at Emirates Airlines recently spoke at the Future of Blockchain summit (31 March – 1 April) in Dubai about VChain’s project with Dubai Future Accelerators. You can see the video of that talk here
