The Brazilian technology company Jade has been awarded the Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Health category, in recognition of its innovative, evidence-based solutions supporting the development of neurodivergent children through the application of technology with social impact.
Founded in Brazil, Jade emerged from a personal experience that evolved into a scalable health technology solution. The company was created from the lived experience of its founder, Ronaldo Lima Cohin Ribeiro, as a father of a child with autism, after identifying limitations in traditional models of assessment and monitoring in child development. What began as a personal search for answers became a technology company focused on improving health and developmental outcomes for children.
Jade has operated with a global outlook since its inception. According to Ribeiro, the decision to expand operations from Brazil to the United Arab Emirates was both strategic and symbolic, reflecting the country’s support for innovation with purpose, social impact, and applied health technologies. Today, the company operates in both Brazil and the UAE, particularly in Abu Dhabi, implementing projects in public schools and working through institutional partnerships.
Recalling the award ceremony, Ribeiro highlighted its emotional significance. “Going on stage alongside my son, who is the reason all of this exists, and an Emirati student who represents Jade’s local impact, was something far beyond a business award. Receiving this recognition from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the United Arab Emirates, was a moment of deep gratitude and responsibility,” he said.
Looking ahead, the founder emphasized that the Zayed Sustainability Prize strengthens Jade’s ability to scale its health impact responsibly. “The award enables us to expand our global reach, strengthen clinical and educational research, deepen partnerships with governments and public health systems, and accelerate the technological development of our platform. Our goal is for Jade to become a global reference in evidence-based health solutions for the development of neurodivergent children, always keeping the human dimension at the center of technology,” he added.
The recognition underscores the importance of innovative health solutions in addressing developmental challenges and highlights the role of technology in advancing inclusive and sustainable healthcare systems.
