The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the Smart
Dubai Office has launched the second edition of the Dubai Smartpreneur
Competition in line with the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE VP and PM, and Ruler of Dubai to transform Dubai into a smart city.
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.