As
announced on Mar 4, Dubai Startup Hub has launched
the 3rd edition of the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition. The competition is
held in partnership with Smart Dubai.
Launched
in 2016, Dubai Startup
Hub is a semi-government initiative of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and
Industry. It aims to provide clarity and direction in the journey of a startup
entrepreneur. As an interactive platform, it connects startups, entrepreneurs,
developers, venture capitalists and students, enabling them to learn about new
opportunities and create new partnerships that stimulate economic growth.
The
announcement of the Dubai
Smartpreneur Competition was made during a special launch event that was
recently held at the Dubai Chamber and attended by members of the emirate’s
business and startup communities.
The
event included a panel discussion that was joined by industry experts who
shared their insights on the adoption of blockchain, artificial intelligence
and other innovative technologies in Dubai, and offered practical advice for
startups operating in these fields.
During
the launch event, His Excellency Hisham Al Shirawi, 2nd Vice
Chairman of Dubai Chamber, highlighted Dubai’s ambitious plans to become one of
the world’s smartest cities and explained that the competition offers an ideal
opportunity for entrepreneurs to support Dubai’s vision and turn their business
ideas into a reality.
Since
2016, the Competition has been complementing Dubai Chamber’s efforts to support
entrepreneurs and foster a culture of innovation within Dubai’s business
community.
He
noted that since its launch in 2016, the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition has
succeeded in meeting its objectives of identifying and developing innovative
ideas that have the potential to improve the local business environment and the
wider society, adding that interest and participation in the competition have
grown considerably over the last few years.
This
year, the competition is seeking business ideas in 3 categories, namely
Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Transformation.
Entries
will be evaluated by a panel of expert judges that will select the submissions
offering the most potential.
50
finalists would be chosen to attend two full-day workshops on sector-specific
training, mentorship, building relationships and developing a full business
plan, ending with a live pitch for 10 finalists and an exhibition booth at ArabNet Digital Summit 2018.
The
top three winners would compete in a final live pitch and receive a cash prize
of AED 150,000, and the opportunity to join a number of the Dubai Startup Hub’s
annual programs and receive a startup support package, including access to its MarketAccess program,
legal assistance, financial advice, fundraising and mentorship opportunities,
and overseas trade missions, Dubai Chamber Events and trainings.
H.E.
Al Shirawi stated that the competition falls in line with Dubai Chamber’s
comprehensive entrepreneurship strategy that aims to empower entrepreneurs and
startups through various programmes, initiatives and events organised under the
Dubai Startup Hub platform.
The Dubai
Smartpreneur Competition gives startups and entrepreneurs in the UAE opportunity
to become part of Dubai Government’s Strategy to “elevate the city into a
global platform for innovation-focused businesses”.
He
added that such initiatives nurture Dubai’s entrepreneurial eco-system and
support Dubai’s vision to become a global innovation hub.
Former
finalist Avira Tharakan, who is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Docs
Wallet, also spoke during the event, sharing his experience of participating in
the previous edition of the Competition and highlighting the unique advantages
it provided to his startup.
Applications are now open till Apr 9, 2018.
