Abdullah AlSalmani is an Electrical Engineer with a passion for merging technology and sustainability. From managing events to developing smart irrigation systems, he’s committed to creating solutions that address climate challenges in fun, engaging ways. Through his startups and community work, Abdullah is empowering youth to take action. Let’s dive into his inspiring and unique journey!
For Abdullah, success has always been about seizing opportunities. Through volunteering from a young age, particularly with people of determination, he found fulfilment and a passion for initiatives focused on sustainability and human impact. “Working with people of determination taught me very early that nothing is impossible,” Abdullah recalls.
As the co-founder of TYAR and the start-ups within it, Abdullah has kept sustainability at the core of the company. By integrating eco-friendly practices into their production processes and design, whether in the making of satellite kits or mentoring young sustainable designers, he focuses his efforts on engineering solutions that have minimal ecological impact but still deliver excellent results.
The opportunity of an entrepreneurship competition led him to develop AIN, a smart irrigation system designed to retrofit existing farms with sensors and valves, reducing water consumption by 15-20%. With AIN, Abdullah came in the top 3 finalists of the competition and was given the opportunity to be an integral part of COP28. AIN is on track to be launched officially soon!
After a boot camp in 2023 by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Abdullah’s people skills and his determination to create a thriving community led him to create Climatify, a networking platform for sustainability professionals. “While we had WhatsApp and Facebook groups, we were lacking one platform that could bring us all together to share knowledge and ideas,” he says. Since its launch, the website has facilitated webinars, bootcamps, and collaborations with organisations like WaveMakers, helping youth turn sustainable ideas into tangible solutions.
From COY18 to COP28, Abdullah’s journey has taken him to global stages, but his heart remains in Al Ain. “I want to build a community around sustainability, tech, and innovation in my hometown,” he says, reflecting on how the Al Ain community is embedded in TYAR’s mission. He hopes to empower others through entrepreneurship and create opportunities for future generations.
Through it all, Abdullah remains steadfast in his belief that hard work and persistence pay off. “If you work hard every day, you won’t miss your lucky day,” he shares with a smile. His focus now is on training others to start their own ventures and helping them find the opportunities they may otherwise miss.
Want to follow Abdullah’s journey? Check out his Instagram @laith_me to learn more about how he’s creating change through sustainability.
