7X Announces Winners of Next Mile Hackathon with 42 Abu Dhabi

7X, in collaboration with 42 Abu Dhabi Academy, has announced the winners of the Next Mile Hackathon, a 24-hour innovation challenge focused on “Shaping the Next Era of Agentic AI in Trade, Transport and Logistics.”

The hackathon brought together 15 student teams from 42 Abu Dhabi, challenging participants to develop technology-driven prototypes that use agentic artificial intelligence to improve operational efficiency across the trade, transport and logistics sectors.

Hackathon Focuses on Real-World AI Applications

The event represents the first milestone of 7X's ‘Build with 7X’ open innovation initiative, which aims to connect real-world industry requirements with academic capabilities, technology talent and startups.

Through the initiative, 7X plans to create an environment where innovative ideas can be tested, developed and transformed into practical and scalable solutions for the Group's operations.

The partnership with 42 Abu Dhabi also reflects efforts to connect emerging digital talent with strategic economic sectors and support the UAE's broader focus on artificial intelligence and innovation.

Three Key Operational Challenges

Participants developed solutions across three priority areas:

• Dynamic Last-Mile Routing – using AI to improve delivery routes and operational efficiency.
• Intelligent Capacity Planning – applying AI to optimise the use of available capacity.
• Predictive Network Optimisation – using data and predictive technologies to improve logistics network performance.

The challenges were designed to demonstrate how agentic AI can support data analysis, decision-making and autonomous task execution.

Nova Dreamers Wins First Place

Projects were assessed based on factors including feasibility, practical applicability, potential impact on operational efficiency and quality of execution.

The winning teams were:

1. Nova Dreamers – First place for its project in the Predictive Logistics Network Optimisation track.
2. CatDoesDelivery – Second place for its project in the Intelligent Capacity Planning track.
3. HUBris – Third place for its project in the Predictive Logistics Network Optimisation track.

The winners received cash prizes of AED 15,000, AED 10,000 and AED 5,000, respectively.

7X Highlights Role of Youth in AI Innovation

Tariq Al Wahedi, Group CEO of 7X, said the future of trade, transport and logistics would increasingly depend on how quickly data can be converted into decisions and innovative ideas into practical applications.

He added that 7X is committed to creating opportunities for innovators and partners to develop solutions that address the evolving requirements of the sector.

Fatima Al Fouladhi, Acting CEO of 42 Abu Dhabi Academy, said the collaboration enables students to apply their technical skills and creativity to real industry challenges while developing solutions with practical impact.

She added that such initiatives help prepare future AI innovators to contribute to the UAE's digital transformation and strategic economic sectors.

Winning Ideas to Be Considered for Further Development

Under the Build with 7X initiative, the organisation will evaluate innovative ideas emerging from competitions such as the Next Mile Hackathon and explore opportunities to apply them within its companies.

The initiative is expected to support the practical adoption of AI technologies while encouraging collaboration between industry, education and emerging technology talent.

The hackathon highlights the growing role of agentic AI in transforming logistics and supply-chain operations, while providing UAE-based students with a platform to turn technical concepts into solutions addressing real-world business challenges.