ADVANCING HIGH-IMPACT INDUSTRIES
The Masdar City Free Zone is a dynamic hub where technology and sustainability intersect, creating a vibrant ecosystem for industry clusters in Abu Dhabi. It embodies the vision of the UAE leadership by driving progress in life sciences, smart mobility, AI, and other sectors, while serving as a testament to the nation's commitment to technological advancement and sustainable development.
The industry clusters within Masdar City Free Zone are more than just a collection of businesses; they are the driving force behind our success as a tech and R&D hub. These clusters play a crucial role in advancing Masdar City Free Zone's mission of shaping a sustainable future, fully aligned with the UAE’s strategic goals. Here, industry leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs converge to explore new frontiers in technology and sustainability, making Masdar City Free Zone a cornerstone of innovation in the UAE.
Since its inception in 2020, Masdar City’s life sciences cluster has emerged as a vital hub for health research and innovation. Designed to expand from 18,000 to 70,000 square meters, this cluster is dedicated to fostering a thriving ecosystem that supports businesses, researchers, and healthcare professionals. Our mission is to accelerate advancements in life sciences by providing state-of-the-art facilities, expert advisory services, and integrated community amenities.
The cluster promotes collaboration between academia and industry, enabling the translation of groundbreaking research into commercially viable solutions. With a focus on biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare technologies, the life sciences cluster is positioned to drive transformative changes in health outcomes both locally and globally.
Government Partnerships
Masdar City collaborates closely with the Abu Dhabi Department of Health (DOH) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). These strategic partnerships offer vital resources, and regulatory support, enhancing the growth and impact of the life sciences cluster. The DOH plays a crucial role in ensuring that innovative health solutions align with national health policies, while ADIO provides solutions to attract businesses and talent to the region. Together, these collaborations create a robust environment for innovation in healthcare.
Some of our key tenants
Basic Research
Pre-Clinical Research
Clinical Trials
logistics and service delivery
Since its establishment, Masdar City’s mobility cluster has become a cornerstone of sustainable transportation innovation. Covering an expansive area dedicated to cutting-edge mobility solutions, this cluster aims to redefine the future of urban transport through smart technology, research, and collaborative initiatives. Our mission is to enhance connectivity and sustainability by integrating advanced mobility systems that cater to the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
Central to our efforts is the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system, the first on-demand, autonomous electric transportation system in the world, which operates as a zero-carbon emission solution. The PRT network generates no harmful emissions and eliminates the need for personal vehicles, resulting in a net carbon impact of zero, successfully transporting over 3 million people incident-free. Our Eco-Bus, specifically engineered for extreme heat and humidity, utilizes advanced technology such as Siemens-built motor technology and water-cooled batteries to optimize energy use. The mobility cluster promotes partnerships between industry leaders, technology developers, and academic institutions, fostering a vibrant ecosystem that accelerates the development of intelligent transportation solutions. With a focus on electric and autonomous vehicles, shared mobility services, and innovative public transport systems, the mobility cluster is at the forefront of transforming urban mobility, making it more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Government Partnerships
Masdar City collaborates closely with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to create a dynamic environment that supports the growth and impact of the mobility cluster, ensuring that innovative transport solutions align with national mobility policies. This strategic partnership enhances the region’s capabilities in smart mobility, particularly through the recently launched Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster, established by Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and ADIO in October 2023. Positioned as a hub for smart mobility in the MENA region, SAVI is pivotal in revolutionizing transportation across air, land, and sea. By providing state-of-the-art facilities, value-added services, and an enabling regulatory environment, SAVI fosters innovation and commercialization of smart vehicle technologies. This collaboration brings together relevant stakeholders to advance the value chain, attract global companies, and facilitate funding and investments, ultimately positioning Masdar City as a leader in shaping the future of urban mobility.
Masdar City’s AI cluster is a cutting-edge hub for research and development in artificial intelligence, focused on creating intelligent systems that tackle pressing global challenges and promote sustainable growth. Its mission is to foster innovation and development in AI technologies, enhancing smart city initiatives and driving collaboration among businesses, startups, and academic institutions. By harnessing the power of AI, the cluster aims to enhance operational efficiency across various sectors, from healthcare to energy management, while addressing global challenges like climate change and improving overall quality of life.
Through collaborative initiatives, the AI cluster encourages the exchange of ideas and knowledge, enabling the development of AI-driven solutions that address complex issues. By fostering an environment of creativity and innovation, Masdar City is committed to shaping the future of AI technology and its applications.
Government Partnerships
Collaborations with governmental bodies, including partnerships with institutions like Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), ensure that AI innovations align with national objectives. These alliances foster an environment that encourages the practical application of AI technologies to enhance urban living and efficiency. By supporting research initiatives, the government plays a crucial role in advancing the cluster’s goals. This synergy not only benefits Masdar City but also contributes to the UAE’s vision of becoming a global leader in AI and technology.
Some of our key tenants
Masdar City’s energy cluster stands at the forefront of advancing renewable energy technologies and sustainable practices. As a pivotal hub dedicated to addressing the global transition to a low-carbon economy, the energy cluster focuses on fostering innovation in clean technologies, energy efficiency, and sustainable energy solutions. By bringing together leading organizations and thought leaders, the cluster facilitates collaborative research and development efforts aimed at tackling pressing energy challenges.
This cluster aims to enhance energy security while promoting environmental stewardship. Through groundbreaking projects and initiatives, Masdar City seeks to lead the way in establishing sustainable energy systems that not only benefit the region but also serve as a model for global best practices.
Government Partnerships
Strategic partnerships with the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DOE) and Tabreed amplify efforts within the energy cluster. These collaborations ensure optimal integration of sustainable practices and resources, ultimately enhancing the region’s energy landscape. DOE is committed to ensuring reliable, safe, and affordable energy services while also developing our people and harnessing technology to support the economy, society, and environment. By working closely with cluster participants, the Department implements policies that encourage innovation and investment in clean energy, ensuring that it is available to support companies where needed. This synergy supports the overarching goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing renewable energy technologies, contributing to a sustainable future for all.
Some of our key tenants
Masdar City’s space-tech cluster is at the forefront of pioneering advancements in satellite technology, and related research. Committed to harnessing the power of space technology, this dynamic cluster explores the vast potential of satellite data and its applications in addressing global challenges such as climate change, resource management, and disaster response. By promoting innovative research and collaboration, the space-tech cluster aims to enhance our understanding of the universe while providing practical solutions for life on Earth.
The cluster serves as a platform for organizations dedicated to exploring the frontiers of space and its implications for sustainable development. Through interdisciplinary research and cutting-edge technology, the space-tech cluster is poised to make significant contributions to both scientific knowledge and practical applications.
Government Partnerships
In partnership with the UAE Space Agency, located in Masdar City, the Space Economic Zone was launched in 2022. This collaboration aims to facilitate access to funding, expertise, and international collaborations, thereby attracting quality competencies and raising the productivity of research and development in space programs. By aligning with national space initiatives, Masdar City is not only advancing its own goals but also contributing to the UAE’s position as a leader in space exploration and technology.
Some of our key tenants
Masdar City’s agri-tech cluster is dedicated to revolutionizing food production and enhancing water security. Focused on sustainable agricultural practices, this cluster emphasizes innovations that maximize efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as vertical farming, hydroponics, and artificial intelligence, the agri-tech cluster seeks to address critical issues related to food security and resource management.
The cluster’s core mission is to develop solutions that not only ensure a stable food supply but also promote ecological balance. By creating a collaborative environment for agri-tech innovators, Masdar City is paving the way for a resilient agricultural framework that meets the needs of a growing population while preserving our planet’s resources.
Government Partnerships
Abu Dhabi is creating a dynamic ecosystem that addresses global challenges of food security and water scarcity while propelling economic growth and job creation. Led by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the AgriFood Growth & Water Abundance (AGWA) cluster in Masdar City, serves as a global hub for farmed and novel food products as well as potable water, maximizing commercial opportunities and enabling Abu Dhabi and the UAE to lead in tackling food shortages and water scarcity. Partnerships with governmental entities play a crucial role in supporting AGWA’s mission, facilitating opportunities and establishing regulatory frameworks that encourage sustainable agricultural innovations.
By aligning with national food security initiatives, Masdar City ensures that agritech developments are not only technologically advanced but also strategically positioned to benefit the broader community. AGWA will drive advancements in areas such as alternative proteins, functional ingredients, algae farming, and reverse osmosis membranes. This integrated cluster provides advanced infrastructure, skilled talent, and collaboration with R&D institutions and academia, fostering an ecosystem where innovative solutions can flourish and ultimately contribute to a sustainable food system.
Some of our key tenants
