MUSCAT: Omani innovation hub Terminal 11 has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), one of the world's leading organizations in designing and operating innovation ecosystems.
Through this agreement, Terminal 11 - an investment of Future Fund Oman (FFO) of Oman Investment Authority (OIA) - officially becomes part of the CIC Global Network, marking a significant milestone in connecting Oman's innovation ecosystem with one of the world's most influential innovation communities.
The partnership enables Terminal 11 to benefit from more than 26 years of CIC's experience in building and operating innovation ecosystems while gaining access to a global community of entrepreneurs, startups, corporations, investors, universities, and government organizations. The collaboration is expected to strengthen international partnerships, facilitate knowledge exchange, and attract investment opportunities to Oman.
Terminal 11 and CIC entered into a Master Services Agreement in December 2025, beginning with a four-month advisory phase covering physical space design and operational model development. That initial phase included a Test Fit floor plan and design advisory alongside Terminal 11's local architects, discovery and stakeholder alignment, and development of the Terminal 11 Playbook, a comprehensive operating guide covering CIC's service model, community-building approach, programming strategy and financial modelling.
Dougan Sherwood, Partner at Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), said: “Our work with Terminal 11 has focused on transferring the knowledge needed to launch and operate a world-class innovation hub, while connecting founders in Muscat to a broader global ecosystem.”
CIC operates a global network of innovation campuses across Cambridge, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Rotterdam, Warsaw, Berlin, Tokyo, and Seoul. Its headquarters are located in Kendall Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts—widely recognized as one of the world's most concentrated innovation districts and adjacent to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Terminal 11 connects startups, corporates, investors, and public and private sector organizations to develop, test, and scale technology solutions into regional and global markets through an integrated ecosystem of flexible workspaces, specialized programmes, and international partnerships.
Under this partnership, the next phase of collaboration between Terminal 11 and CIC will be to develop innovation programmes and initiatives, strengthen international cooperation, exchange global best practices in innovation ecosystem development, and connect Oman's innovation community with leading international networks. The collaboration will support entrepreneurship, accelerate innovation, and contribute to the growth of a knowledge-based economy.
Abdullah Al Badi, Managing Director and Founder of Terminal 11, said: "This partnership marks a strategic milestone in Terminal 11's journey to build a globally connected innovation ecosystem from Oman. Joining the CIC Global Network provides our startups, entrepreneurs, and partners with direct access to one of the world's most advanced innovation communities while enabling us to adopt global best practices and develop high-impact programs that connect local innovation with international opportunities."
Tim Rowe, Founder and Executive Chair of Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), said: “Successful innovation ecosystems are built through collaboration, openness, and shared ambition. We look forward to supporting Terminal 11 in developing programmes and initiatives that empower entrepreneurs, accelerate innovation, and create new opportunities for collaboration, investment, and economic growth."
This agreement forms part of Terminal 11's long-term strategy to expand its international partnerships with leading innovation organizations, creating new pathways for Omani technology companies to access global markets, international expertise, strategic partnerships, and investment opportunities while reinforcing Oman's position as a regional hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
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