The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has started assessing entries for the second edition of the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition.
The competition, which was recently launched by the Chamber in cooperation with the Smart Dubai Office, aims to strengthen the role of entrepreneurs in contributing to Dubai’s strategic plans by giving them an opportunity to support the emirate’s transformation to a global Smart City.
The Chamber said that it received more than 700 innovative ideas in the second edition, which have been narrowed down to 100.
In the final evaluation phase, 50 submissions will be shortlisted under the supervision of a specialised committee of judges from the local business community. The top three winners will receive cash prizes and access to training and support throughout the competition.
The Dubai Smartpreneur Competition was open to all entrepreneurs in the region who were required to submit business ideas that support Smart Dubai dimensions, including smart economy, smart living, smart mobility, smart governance, smart environment, smart people, and smart ICT infrastructure.
According to the Chamber, around 8.7 percent of the submitted ideas covered the smart economy dimension, while 20.9 percent related to smart life concepts. Smart mobility, smart governance, and smart environment accounted for 7.8 percent, 1.9 percent, and 11.7 percent, respectively. Submissions related to the smart people dimension made up 28.6 percent of all ideas, and smart ICT infrastructure represented 20.4 percent of all entries.
Essa Al Zaabi, Senior Vice-President, Institutional Support Sector, Dubai Chamber, and General Coordinator of Tejar Dubai, revealed that the number of submissions for the current competition was 100 percent higher compared to the first edition.
“We are encouraged by the innovative ideas that were received in the competition’s second edition, many of which support the UAE’s strategy and Year of Giving initiative. These ideas will ultimately enhance the country’s business environment and support Dubai’s transformation to a Smart City,” he said.
Al Zaabi added that the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition is unique as it merges Dubai’s Smart City vision with its ambition to develop the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. At the same time, it supports Dubai Chamber’s efforts to foster a culture of innovation within the emirate’s business community.
