-Second edition of competition sees 100% increase in number of submissions 
-Top three winners to receive cash prizes, access to training and support 
-Al Zaabi: Response to competition has been very strong and Dubai’s entrepreneurial ecosystem remains a major force driving its economy

18 April 2017 - Dubai, UAE: The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has started assessing entries for the second edition of the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition, which was recently launched by the Chamber in cooperation with the Smart Dubai Office.

The competition 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 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 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.

Around 8.7% of the submitted ideas covered the smart economy dimension, while 20.9% related to smart life concepts. Smart mobility, smart governance, and smart environment accounted for 7.8%, 1.9%, and 11.7%, respectively. Submissions related to the smart people dimension made up 28.6% of all ideas, and smart ICT infrastructure represented 20.4% 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% 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, which remains a major force driving the emirate’s economy. At the same time, the competition supports Dubai Chamber's efforts to foster a culture of innovation within the emirate’s business community.