Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Strategic Sector Development Fund (SDC), an investment company wholly owned by EDGE Group,
today announced the signing of a preliminary partnership and investment agreement with Machina Labs.
The American company specializes in next-generation
manufacturing technologies and AI-powered robotics.
This agreement follows discussions held during the Dubai Airshow 2025,
It aims to establish a framework for working towards the creation of
a joint venture focused on the production of advanced metal structures in the region.
This is based on the software-driven smart factory of Makina Labs.
Initial investment to support manufacturing capabilities
This agreement is reinforced by an initial investment
from the Strategic Sectors Development Fund.
With the possibility of providing additional funding that could reach up to 125 million dirhams.
The two parties are working to assess opportunities
for employing Makina Labs’ manufacturing capabilities in the UAE and the region.
This is to meet strategic requirements across vital sectors
including aviation, defense, mobility, and others.
CEO statements
Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE Group,
confirmed that this collaboration aligns with
With the group’s vision aimed at accelerating the UAE’s growth
in advanced industrial capabilities and future technologies,
He pointed to the important role of these partnerships
in supporting the group’s development roadmap
And to strengthen the state’s position towards industrial sovereignty.
Extension of the investment approach
Abdullah Nasser Al-Jabri, Managing Director and CEO
of the Strategic Sectors Development Fund, explained,
The partnership represents an extension of the fund’s hybrid investment approach.
Which combines investment in next-generation technology startups,
Building strategic partnerships that contribute to localizing
high-value technologies within the country.
Support industrial innovation
He noted that this initial investment in “Machina Labs”
will expand as the partnership and areas of cooperation develop.
Edward Mehr, CEO and co-founder of Makina Labs,
expressed his pride in the collaboration.
He emphasized the UAE’s commitment to supporting
industrial innovation and the strategic vision of “EDGE”,
SDC’s investment plans create an ideal environment
for adopting next-generation manufacturing technologies.
Innovative “RoboCraftsman™” technology
The main capabilities of “Makina Labs” are based on its (RoboCraftsman™) platform,
It is a software-based robotic manufacturing system.
This system integrates shaping, surveying, trimming, drilling, and welding processes.
Assembly without the need for traditional manufacturing tools.
This model allows for faster production cycles and greater design flexibility.
And an increasing ability to manufacture complex metal structures.
The “Machina Labs” factory is designed to enable the rapid commissioning
of full-scale manufacturing capabilities.
This reduces execution time and allows for the creation
of new manufacturing environments within weeks.
This provides important potential for enhancing the resilience
and readiness of supply chains in the UAE.
