In a bold move that has captured global attention, the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park) has unveiled a revolutionary flying car in collaboration with Dutch aerospace innovators PAL-V. This unveiling was the highlight of SRTI Park’s first Business Breakfast of 2025, an event that not only showcased technological marvels but also marked an evolution in the UAE’s broader strategy to embrace future-oriented innovations in mobility.
Flying Car Innovation Takes Center Stage at SRTI Park
The flying car, a gyroplane model developed by PAL-V, represents a dual-function vehicle combining elements of an automobile and a helicopter. Equipped with two engines and folding rotors, this vehicle is capable of moving seamlessly on land while also taking to the skies with ease. During the demonstration held indoors at the Sharjah park, PAL-V officials elaborated on the technical sophistication of the vehicle, underlining its ability to transform into flight mode quickly, offering door-to-door mobility solutions previously limited to science fiction.
This technological feat isn’t just a concept but is backed by serious regulatory progress. PAL-V has completed its full certification basis with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), a significant milestone in making flying cars commercially viable. The vehicle has been under development since 2008, signaling a long-term commitment by the Dutch company to redefine how humans commute.
SRTI Park Positions Sharjah as Innovation and Investment Destination
The Business Breakfast event served as a major milestone for SRTI Park, an innovation hub that has steadily grown into one of the region’s most dynamic ecosystems. The presence of entrepreneurs, investors, and strategic partners underscored the increasing importance of Sharjah as a destination for technological advancement. Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SRTIP, emphasized during the event that the park is more than just a showcase venue for futuristic concepts—it is a living platform where innovation meets real-world implementation.
Al Mahmoudi stated, “The demonstration of the Pal-V Flying Car is not only about showcasing a groundbreaking innovation, but it reflects a broader vision we uphold at SRTIP — to serve as a regional hub for enabling emerging technologies and connecting them with the market. We’ve built an integrated ecosystem that blends innovation with investment, making SRTIP the platform of choice for entrepreneurs and investors looking to reach customers and achieve real-world impact.”
Business Breakfast Merges Innovation and Strategic Collaboration
The flying car launch was not the sole highlight of the Business Breakfast. The event also marked the integration of two of SRTIP’s signature programs — the Business Breakfast and the Partner Council — under a unified format. This restructured event format is designed to encourage stronger cross-sectoral engagement and facilitate deeper collaboration between public and private sectors.
Among the key features of the event were presentations on partner services offered by SRTIP and the startup support platforms that have been instrumental in enabling the park’s dynamic growth. Participants also engaged in one-on-one networking sessions and strategic discussions during the Shuraka’ Majlis, a dedicated roundtable where ideas flowed freely and collaborations began to take shape.
Robert Dingemanse, Founder and CEO of PAL-V, led a comprehensive session detailing the development of the flying car. He discussed not only the technical prowess and design journey of the vehicle but also its potential for commercial scaling in the Middle East. Dingemanse revealed that PAL-V has already secured paid pre-orders worth over 150 million euros, a sign of the growing appetite for disruptive mobility solutions globally.
Sharjah’s Broader Strategy to Attract and Support Scaleups
Beyond the flying car, SRTIP has been expanding its reach and influence by forging strategic partnerships. Recently, the park entered into a cooperation agreement with the AIM Congress, a global platform aimed at fostering foreign direct investment and promoting cross-border trade and innovation. This partnership is expected to attract a fresh wave of technology scaleups into Sharjah’s innovation landscape.
Under this agreement, SRTIP will offer tailored packages to scaleups introduced through AIM’s extensive global network. The focus will be on accelerating their market entry, providing them with the tools and resources to flourish within the park’s high-tech environment. The collaboration will also promote the Sharjah Advanced Industry Accelerator (SAIA), a flagship program designed to support late-stage startups by providing them with exposure to advanced industry markets and direct engagement with key decision-makers.
CEO Hussain Al Mahmoudi welcomed the partnership, stating, “SRTIP, one of the region’s dynamic innovation zones, is delighted to team up with AIM Congress as we pursue our ambitious growth plans. We share synergies with AIM Congress whose goal is to foster investment opportunities and create stronger trade bonds between nations.”
The Future of Air Mobility and the Regional Impact
The unveiling of the PAL-V flying car and the strategic moves made by SRTIP come at a time when the global market for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is projected to reach a staggering $2.9 trillion, according to data by Morgan Stanley. This sector encompasses not just flying cars but also drones, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicles, and other futuristic mobility solutions that promise to redefine urban transportation.
Sharjah’s foray into this space reflects a regional commitment to diversify economies and invest in cutting-edge technologies that have both commercial and societal applications. As cities across the world grapple with congestion, pollution, and inefficient transport systems, air mobility offers a compelling alternative. The PAL-V vehicle fits perfectly into this vision by promising door-to-door transportation that bypasses traffic and utilizes underutilized air corridors.
SRTIP’s Role in Regional Innovation and Policy Influence
The Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park isn’t merely a testbed for gadgets and innovations—it is increasingly becoming an influential player in shaping regional innovation policy. The park has been instrumental in introducing forward-thinking regulatory frameworks, supporting intellectual property creation, and building strong relationships with academia, industry, and government.
In recent years, SRTIP has launched several initiatives aimed at fostering R&D, encouraging patent registration, and bringing academia into closer alignment with market needs. The presence of the flying car at this year’s Business Breakfast underlined this commitment by demonstrating how long-term research investments can translate into tangible innovations.
Investors and Entrepreneurs Find Fertile Ground in Sharjah
What makes SRTIP particularly appealing to startups and scaleups is its well-rounded ecosystem that offers not just infrastructure but also mentorship, funding access, and strategic partnerships. Entrepreneurs who attended the Business Breakfast lauded the park for its openness, collaborative spirit, and focus on actionable innovation.
The one-on-one investor meetings held during the event provided fertile ground for seed funding, partnerships, and even international expansion discussions. As entrepreneurs continue to seek ecosystems that value creativity, collaboration, and calculated risk-taking, SRTIP seems to be positioning itself as a regional hub where ideas don’t just survive—they thrive.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Ideas and Realizing Global Impact
The journey of the PAL-V vehicle, from a concept first introduced in 2008 to a viable dual-function vehicle that has already attracted hundreds of millions of euros in pre-orders, offers a blueprint for what can be achieved when innovation is supported by the right ecosystem. For Sharjah and the broader UAE, such developments are more than just technological feats; they are signals of an economy in transition.
As SRTIP continues to open its doors to global innovators and entrepreneurs, the region is steadily cementing its reputation as a forward-thinking destination for emerging technologies. Whether through partnerships like the one with AIM Congress or through spectacular demonstrations like the PAL-V flying car, Sharjah is making a strong case for its role in the future of global mobility.
The integration of transportation, technology, and entrepreneurship into a unified strategy speaks volumes about the potential that exists when cities invest in innovation. Sharjah’s recent showcase isn’t just about a flying car—it’s about flying into the future with intention, structure, and vision.
