Arab Science & Technology Foundation

What Arab Science & Technology Foundation does

The Arab Science & Technology Foundation (ASTF) is an independent, non-profit non-governmental organization established in 2000 at the Sharjah University symposium under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. ASTF serves as the Arab world's central platform for executing scientific programs, connecting 70,000+ scientists, researchers, technologists, and innovation supporters across 120+ countries. The foundation operates a portfolio of over 20 specialized scientific networks covering biotechnology, nanotechnology, microelectronics, radiation oncology (AMSTRO), emerging pollutants (EPN), women in science, and investor matching, alongside programs such as the Hope for Future scholarship initiative, Technology Business Plan Competition, ASTF-ONE virtual training platform, and biennial Scientific Research Outlook conferences. With headquarters in Sharjah, UAE and an executive office in Cairo, Egypt, ASTF is governed by a three-tier structure (Board of Trustees, Board of Directors, Advisory Board) and funded through a $1 million initial endowment (targeting $100 million), donations, corporate sponsorships, and program partnerships with organizations including WHO EMRO, the European Research Council, ALECSO, and multinational technology firms.

ASTF does not develop proprietary technology products. Its core "platform" is a coordination layer comprising direct membership, digital channels (astf.net, Instagram @astf.official, email newsletters), virtual training delivery via Google Meet and ASTF-ONE, and a global ambassador network of 40+ representatives. The organization derives revenue from donations and endowments (including a $100 million sustainability target with 80% allocated to operations), event sponsorship and conference support (such as the Technology Business Plan Competition with prizes up to $50,000 and Investing Forums), and corporate partnerships. Core services are provided free of charge to members, with charitable contributions processed via Stripe at suggested tiers of $50, $100, $250, or custom amounts. The primary customer segments are Arab scientists and researchers (primary), technology innovators and entrepreneurs, students from conflict zones, academic institutions, corporate partners and investors, and oncology professionals via AMSTRO.

Name

Arab Science & Technology Foundation

Legal name

Arab Science & Technology Foundation

Website

https://astf.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Arab Science & Technology Foundation (ASTF) is an independent non-profit NGO founded in 2000 in Sharjah, UAE, connecting 70,000+ Arab scientists, researchers, and innovators across 120+ countries through 20+ specialized networks, scholarship programs, conferences, and training platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Research & Technology Foundation Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADANAB

Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/International Standards, Policy & Regulatory Cooperation

SECONDARYEDABAFAO

Emerging Tech & Specialized Computing (IoT, Edge, AR/VR, Blockchain, HPC)

Education/Corporate Training & Professional Development/Technical & IT Skills Training

SECONDARYBPAEANAB

Custom Corporate IT Training & Upskilling Programs

Business & Public Services/IT & Digital Services (Managed Services, Systems Integration)/IT Training & Technical Enablement Services

Keywords

• Scientific research networks
• Technology innovation programs
• Scholarship programs
• Research collaboration platforms
• Scientific conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Sharjah

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations & Endowments: ASTF operates as an independent, non-profit NGO funded primarily through donations, endowments, and grants. The foundation received an initial $1 million endowment from H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi and has set a target of reaching $100 million minimum, with 80% allocated for operations and 20% reinvested into endowment growth for long-term sustainability.
2. Program Fees & Sponsorships: Revenue generated through event sponsorship, conference registration fees (though many programs like ASTFv2 Conference offer free admission), and corporate partnerships supporting specific initiatives such as the Technology Business Plan Competition (prizes up to $50,000) and investment forums.
3. Donation Processing: The foundation accepts charitable donations through online payment processing (Stripe), with suggested amounts of $50, $100, $250 or custom amounts in USD, directed toward general operations or specific initiatives like Hope for Future scholarships or Nafhum science education.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ASTF operates as an independent non-profit foundation that advances science and technology across the Arab world by managing a portfolio of specialized scientific networks (EPN, AMSTRO, biotechnology, nanotechnology, etc.), running programs and scholarship initiatives (Hope for Future, Edison Experience, ISEF Egypt), organizing scientific conferences (Scientific Research Outlook biennial series, ASTFv2 Conference), and providing the ASTF-ONE online professional development platform. Its core offering is the orchestration of community-building, research coordination, technology commercialization support, and capacity-building programs connecting 70,000+ Arab scientists and technologists across 120+ countries with funders, institutions, and policymakers.

Product overview

The Arab Science & Technology Foundation (ASTF) operates as an independent non-profit NGO serving as a platform for scientific networks, programs, and initiatives rather than a single unified product. The organization manages a portfolio of over 20 specialized scientific networks including the Emerging Pollutants Network (EPN) and AMSTRO (radiation oncology), along with legacy networks in biotechnology, nanotechnology, microelectronics, science journalism, and women in science. ASTF's programmatic offerings include the Hope for Future scholarship initiative, Technology Business Plan Competition (TBPC), Edison Experience innovation learning, Investing in Technology Forum, and the ASTF-ONE virtual training platform. The foundation organizes major conferences including the biennial Scientific Research Outlook (SRO) series and the ASTFv2 Conference, positioning itself as the Arab world's central platform for executing scientific programs and connecting researchers with funders and communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Biotechnology Network: Network advancing biotechnology research and development across medicine, agriculture, environment, energy sectors
• Arab Science Journalists Association (ASJA)
• Women Network For Research and Development
• Investors and Entrepreneurs Technologists Network
• ASTF-ONE Virtual Training
• Emerging Pollutants Network (EPN)
• AMSTRO
• Handasa Arabia
• Scientific Research Outlook

Products and services

• Emerging Pollutants Network (EPN) The first professional membership network in the Arab region specialized in emerging pollutants, addressing environmental challenges related to PFAS, microplastics, PPCPs, and other contaminants of emerging concern through a One Health approach. Target audience: environmental researchers and professionals across the Arab region.
• AMSTRO (Asia and Middle East Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology) Society dedicated to advancing high-quality, equitable cancer care across Asia and the Middle East through innovation, collaboration, and education in radiation oncology. Target audience: radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and oncology professionals across Asia and the Middle East.
• ASTF-ONE Virtual Training Platform Comprehensive online learning platform providing courses, workshops, and resources in STEM fields with expert instructors, interactive content, and certificates. Target audience: Arab scientists, researchers, and STEM learners seeking professional development.
• Hope for Future Scholarship Initiative Scholarship initiative providing educational support to students from conflict-affected regions including Palestine, Sudan, Yemen, and Syria under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan. Has provided 9 full scholarships and 100 partial scholarships.
• Scientific Research Outlook (SRO) Conference Series Premier biennial conference series bringing together the Arab scientific community to collaborate on research priorities, bridge science and technology, and strengthen regional cooperation for sustainable development. Held 5 times since 2000 with 2,800+ research papers presented.
• Technology Business Plan Competition (TBPC) Annual entrepreneurship competition with prizes up to $50,000 supporting technology business plan development across the Arab world. Target audience: technology entrepreneurs and innovators.
• Investing in Technology Forum Technology investment platform connecting Arab technology innovators with global investors, having facilitated over $12 million in startup funding across seven forums with 60 startups presented and 22 investment deals closed.
• Biotechnology Network Network established in March 2008 advancing biotechnology research and development across medicine, agriculture, environment, energy, media, and training sectors across the Arab region.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70,000+ members connected across 120+ countries worldwide as of 2025
• +5 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPN (Emerging Pollutants Network) has become an official member of IPEN, a global NGO network bringing together civil society organizations working to eliminate hazardous chemicals and toxic pollutants. This membership strengthens EPN's international presence and collaboration with global partners to address emerging environmental pollutants.
• WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMSTRO (Asia and Middle East Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology) has established official partnership with WHO EMRO for regional health initiatives, working together to advance equitable cancer care across the region.
• European Research CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASTF signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Research Council in November 2025, opening doors for collaborative research programs between Arab and European scientists.
• King Abdel Aziz City for Science and Technology (Saudi Arabia)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the 3rd Scientific Research Outlook Conference (SRO 2004) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, focusing on science and technology as the key to Arab human development.
• 18+ Scientific OrganizationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSRO 2002 was organized by ASTF in collaboration with 18 scientific organizations, fostering cooperation among Arab scientific institutions and facilitating the development of collaborative scientific projects.
• Multinational Corporations (Intel, IBM, HP, Raytheon, Schlumberger)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor technology corporations participated in the Investing Forum and SRO 2008 Corporate Panel, presenting social responsibility initiatives and exploring technology partnerships supporting Arab scientific development.
• Silicon Oasis (UAE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArab Microelectronics RDI network partners with technology parks including Silicon Oasis in UAE for regional microelectronics industry collaboration.
• International Institutions (Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArab Microelectronics RDI network facilitates cooperation with international technology companies from Japan, Korea, China, and Malaysia for technology transfer and capacity building.
• CPSCO (Pakistan Society of Clinical Oncology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMSTRO regional alliance with Pakistani clinical oncology society for education and clinical excellence collaboration.
• ESRO (Emirates Society of Radiation Oncology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMSTRO regional alliance advancing radiation oncology standards in the UAE.
• Global Village Oncology NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network for global oncology collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• ALECSO (Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSRO 2002 coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Arab Strategy for Science and Technology established by ALECSO, with collaboration on regional scientific strategy.
• Egyptian Society for Advanced Materials and NanotechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization collaborating with the Nanotechnology and Materials Science Arab Network on research initiatives and knowledge sharing.
• Spain (Spanish-Arab Innovation Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership program with Spain supporting innovation in Arab small and medium enterprises through international collaboration and knowledge transfer.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Royal Scientific Society (RSS, Jordan): A leading Arab regional research and development organization headquartered in Amman that conducts applied research, supports innovation, and provides scientific services. RSS is directly comparable as an Arab scientific non-profit serving similar regional and human-capital development objectives.
• TWAS (The World Academy of Sciences): An international non-profit scientific academy based in Trieste that promotes scientific capacity and excellence in the developing world. TWAS shares ASTF's mission of advancing science in developing regions, offering fellowships, research grants, and scientific exchange—directly comparable as a membership-based international scientific organization.
• ATSE (Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering): An Australian non-profit academy of distinguished engineers and scientists providing independent policy advice, awards, and STEM advocacy. ATSE is comparable as a fellowship-based scientific organization advancing technological sciences through networks, though operating in a developed-market context.

Broad incumbents

• ICESCO (Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization): A Rabat-headquartered intergovernmental organization dedicated to educational, scientific, and cultural advancement across the Islamic world. ICESCO is a broader governmental peer to ASTF's non-governmental scientific mandate, with overlapping member geography and scientific cooperation programs.
• King Faisal Foundation (Saudi Arabia): A major Saudi philanthropic foundation established in 1976 with a $100M+ endowment, administering the King Faisal International Prize including the Science category. Comparable as a regionally dominant scientific philanthropy funded by Gulf royalty, but with broader social and cultural programs beyond science.
• KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology): A graduate-level research university in Saudi Arabia with multi-billion-dollar endowment, recruiting leading scientists and producing high-impact research. KAUST is a broad incumbent competing for the same Arab scientific talent pool ASTF aggregates, though operating through a university model rather than membership-network model.
• AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science): A major international non-profit scientific organization, publisher of Science magazine, that advances science across policy, education, and global engagement. AAAS serves as a model for ASTF's member-driven scientific advocacy, though operating at vastly greater scale and global scope.
• Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development: A non-profit foundation chaired by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, encompassing Education City, research institutes, and major scientific funding programs. Qatar Foundation is a regional incumbent with vastly greater capital and institutional infrastructure, comparable in mission of advancing Arab/Qatari science but operating at far larger scale.

Peers

• Al-Fanar Media Foundation: A London-based non-profit media organization covering higher education and scientific research in the Arab world. Al-Fanar is an emerging regional peer focused on science journalism and knowledge dissemination, complementary to ASTF's mission of connecting and informing Arab scientific communities.

Regional players

• Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation: A Dubai-based non-profit foundation focused on knowledge creation, Arabic content, and scientific literacy across the Arab world. MBRF is a regional peer with overlapping mission of advancing Arab-language scientific content, comparable to ASTF's Nafhum initiative but with greater capitalization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/astf.official
• Xx.com/astf_media
• Facebookfacebook.com/arab-science-and-technology-foundation-astf-70873754440
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arab-science-and-technology-foundation---astf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Arab Science & Technology Foundation