Abu Dhabi: Strategic Development Fund (SDF), an Abu Dhabi-based investment company owned by EDGE Group, announced an agreement with REGENT Craft, a Rhode Island-based developer and manufacturer of all-electric seagliders. The agreement aims to establish a joint venture (JV) for manufacturing REGENT's electric seagliders in the UAE to supply the Middle East, Africa, and beyond, pending necessary approvals. The JV will also offer aftermarket services, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).
According to Emirates News Agency, the venture aligns with EDGE's and SDF's strategic focus on advanced technologies in sectors such as aerospace and dual-use technologies. It supports projects contributing to the industrial ecosystem's development and enhances critical supply chain and production capabilities. SDF initially invested in REGENT in 2023 and increased its stake in 2024 as UAE partnership negotiations progressed. Upon establishing the partnership, SDF plans further investments in REGENT, reinforcing confidence in REGENT's potential and strengthening their collaboration.
Hamad Al Marar, EDGE Group Managing Director and CEO, commented on the alignment of SDF's investment in REGENT Craft with their commitment to establishing strategic partnerships in various industries for future-forward technologies. Abdulla Al Jaabari, Managing Director and CEO of SDF, emphasized REGENT Craft's visionary technology and the significance of the agreement in their strategic hybrid investment approach.
Earlier this month, at the World Government Summit 2025 in Dubai, Billy Thalheimer, Co-founder and CEO of REGENT Craft, highlighted REGENT's plans for a state-of-the-art seaglider manufacturing plant in Abu Dhabi. The partnership aims to make Abu Dhabi a center for seaglider manufacturing, fostering sustainable transportation technology.
The agreement follows an April 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and REGENT to support the company's development and manufacturing capabilities within Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster. Badr Al Olama, Director-General of ADIO, remarked on the agreement's role in encouraging investment in advanced technologies and supporting innovation and industrial development in Abu Dhabi.
This collaboration enhances REGENT's manufacturing capabilities and aftermarket services, meeting the growing demand for seagliders in the region. REGENT recently began construction on a 255,000-square-foot seaglider facility in Rhode Island, expected to be operational in 2026.