DUBAI: After the remarkable success of the launch edition of the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition which received 350 innovative business ideas, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry is launching the 2nd edition of the competition whose aim is to stimulate a culture of innovative entrepreneurship in the emirate.
In the first session, Dubai Chamber received 350 entries out of which 48 qualified for the final phase of evaluation held under the supervision of a specialised committee of judges as the qualifiers attended two full day workshops on sector-specific training, mentorship, building relationships and developing a full business plan from experts in the field.
Out of the 48, 10 shortlisted competitors were assessed for their innovative business ideas and three winners were selected who received a cash prize and the opportunity to join Tejar Dubai entrepreneurship development programme for a year to help them turn their business ideas into reality.
The first prize went to Sebastian Stefan for his idea LoadMe.ae focusing on reducing traffic through GPS tracking and smart phone apps and the second prize winner was Craig Muyambo for his idea Efhamni (Understand Me), an application designed to bridge the gap between deaf and hearing people while the third prize was bagged by Murshed Mohamed, for his idea “i want” which is an on-demand platform that helps people buy anything on retailers’ shelves with the push of a button.
Essa Al Zaabi, Senior Vice-President, Institutional Support Sector, Dubai Chamber, and General Coordinator of Tejar Dubai, stated that this latest session follows the highly successful launch edition which saw an overwhelming response from hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs putting up creative business ideas which will definitely add value to the business environment of the emirate.
“This second session will keep the momentum and lead to generating excellent business ideas while encouraging young entrepreneurs to participate in Dubai’s strategic initiatives and contribute to the emirate’s efforts of creating happiness by adopting innovative technology while transforming Dubai into a smart city,” said Al Zaabi.
He further stressed that the Chamber strives to stimulate creativity and innovation in the private sector through various innovative programmes for enhancing customer happiness and as part of the UAE’s post-oil strategy for the growth of economic sectors and industries based on innovation and excellence. “Therefore, the Chamber is working with its partners to support this trend through initiatives like the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition which promotes smart business among young entrepreneurs,” said Al Zaabi.
