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| Source: Dubai Chamber. A panel discussion was held during the event, focusing on the progress achieved by the UAE government on smart city and innovation-focused initiatives, as well as the initiatives and engines are expected to drive sustainable growth in the future. Panelists included Essa Al Zaabi, Senior VP, Institutional Support Sector, Dubai Chamber, and General Coordinator of Tejar Dubai; Younus Al Nasser, Assistant Director, Smart Dubai Office and CEO of Dubai Data; Kushal Shah, Partner, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants and Founder of Dubai Angel Investors; and Raed Hafez, Chairman, ElGrocer. |
In his welcome address, HE Hisham Al Shirawi highlighted that the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition has become a key platform for recognising and developing innovative ideas that have the potential to improve the local business environment and the wider society. “The benefits of this competition go far beyond financial rewards. Participants also get a unique chance to network with industry influencers, interact with mentors, and gain valuable feedback needed to improve and grow their businesses,” he said.
HE Dr Aisha bin Bishr, Director General of the Smart Dubai Office, said: “The Smartpreneur Competition is an important annual event that demonstrates the positive impact we can have when we work together. I applaud Dubai Chamber for leading this impressive event.
“These bright young entrepreneurs are essential to the success of our smart city ambitions. The second cycle of (the) Smartpreneur competition will not only be an opportunity to discover the best products and services improving city experiences. It will be an engagement platform to support local entrepreneurs to actively contribute to and lead our citywide transformation.”
Last year, Dubai Chamber received 350 innovative ideas during the first cycle of the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition. The competition this year will take place under the umbrella of Dubai Start Up Hub, the official online hub of the Dubai startup and technology ecosystem, managed by the Dubai Chamber in collaboration with IBM. Participants are required to submit their business ideas in line with Smart Dubai dimensions such as smart economy, smart living, smart mobility, smart governance, smart environment, and smart people.
The entries will be critiqued by a judging panel. Participants who qualify will attend two full-day workshops on sector-specific training, mentorship, building relationships, and developing a full business plan. The first three winners will get a cash prize and the opportunity to join the Tejar Dubai entrepreneurship development programme for a year to help them turn their business ideas into reality. The programme is designed to support nascent entrepreneurs by providing them with training, mentorship and access to new opportunities, helping them to take their first steps into the business world.
