ABOUT IBDÅ
A design-led R&D and innovation studio in Dubai
IBDÅ is a multidisciplinary research, design and development studio based in Dubai Design District. Organizations come to us with an idea, a challenge or an opportunity. We help them work out what to build, then design, build and test it.
The name stands for Innovate, Build, Deliver.
What we do
We turn early questions into strategies, proofs of concept, prototypes and pilots. One team covers innovation strategy and applied research, product and industrial design, UX/UI and software, AI and data, connected products and IoT, material R&D, and advanced manufacturing. Strategy, design, technology and prototyping stay in one process instead of being split between suppliers.
See what we do for services and expertise for the capabilities behind them.
How we work
Projects run in agreed phases, each with defined outputs and a review. R&D involves experimental variables, so outcomes cannot be promised in advance. We test assumptions early, document the evidence, and at each review you decide whether to continue, revise the approach or stop.
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We agree the question the work needs to answer, the phases, their outputs and what is excluded, and list what we need from your side, such as access, data and feedback.
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Research, benchmarking, technical review and interviews establish the constraints before design begins.
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We develop a small set of directions with their trade-offs, review them with you, then refine one into detailed design.
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Prototypes are produced at our lab at in5 Design, and with fabrication and engineering partners where required.
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We define what needs to be tested and what evidence is required. Results are documented and feed a recommendation on what to do next.
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Depending on the project, you receive design files, technical documentation, source code, physical prototypes and an evaluation memo.
Who we work with
We work with government entities, companies, SMEs, institutions and startups in the UAE, the Gulf region and internationally. We can act as your external R&D team, as an innovation partner, or as an extension of an in-house team.
Our work spans healthcare, planning, education, culture, data, governance, manufacturing, architecture, fashion and IT. Public-sector teams can start with government innovation.
Projects shows client work alongside our own research and spin-off ventures, from a biomaterial made of fish scales and desalination salt to an AI-powered business intelligence platform.
Where we are
IBDÅ was co-founded by Joanne Hayek and Dr. Raffi Tchakerian. The studio and prototyping lab are at in5 Design, Dubai Design District (d3), Dubai, UAE. IBDÅ is the brand name of IBDA Innovate Build Deliver FZ-LLC.
You do not need a finished brief.
Tell us what you are exploring and where you currently stand, and we will suggest the most useful way to begin.