Abu dhabi: Strategic Development Fund (SDF), a wholly-owned investment entity of EDGE Group based in Abu Dhabi, has announced the establishment of an initial partnership and investment agreement with Machina Labs. Machina Labs, a US-based company specializing in next-generation AI-driven manufacturing and robotics, finalized the agreement with SDF during the Dubai Airshow 2025.
According to Emirates News Agency, this collaboration aims to establish a joint venture focused on producing advanced metal structures in the region by leveraging Machina Labs' intelligent, software-defined factory technology. The agreement includes an initial investment from SDF, with additional funding potentially reaching AED125 million as the two companies explore opportunities to implement Machina Labs' manufacturing capabilities in the UAE and the surrounding region.
SDF and Machina Labs will work to address strategic needs across important sectors, including aerospace, defense, mobility, and other key industries. Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE Group, stated that this partnership aligns with EDGE Group's vision to advance the UAE's industrial capabilities and future technologies. He emphasized that exploring next-generation manufacturing solutions is critical to supporting EDGE's developmental roadmap and the nation's industrial sovereignty and innovation goals.
Abdulla Naser Al Jaabari, Managing Director and CEO of SDF, noted that the collaboration with Machina Labs follows SDF's hybrid investment approach. This approach involves investing in startups developing new technologies for dual-use industries while forming strategic partnerships to localize high-value technologies. He added that SDF has identified several potential requirements where the project with Machina Labs could contribute to the EDGE ecosystem and SDF portfolio.
Machina Labs' technology, centered on its RoboCraftsman platform, is a software-defined robotic manufacturing cell that integrates various processes such as forming, scanning, trimming, and drilling, along with advanced systems for welding and assembly, without conventional tooling. This technology supports rapid production cycles, flexible designs, and scalable manufacturing of complex metal assemblies.
Edward Mehr, CEO and Co-Founder of Machina Labs, highlighted the UAE's commitment to industrial innovation and the strategic vision of EDGE Group and SDF's investment strategy as key factors in fostering the adoption of next-generation manufacturing technologies. He mentioned that the partnership would enhance Machina Labs' ability to expand its business through quickly deployable production capacity for defense and strategic sectors.
The technology developed by Machina Labs is designed to enable the swift deployment of full-scale manufacturing capacity, reducing lead times significantly and allowing the establishment of new production environments in weeks rather than years. This capability holds the potential to strengthen the UAE's advanced manufacturing ecosystem and enhance supply chain resilience.
SDF will collaborate with its partners to evaluate the feasibility and advantages of adopting such technologies in the local market.