With a 41% decrease in funding for MENA startups this year, the odds may feel stacked against you but they are not. It just means doing a little more homework.
This blog shares tips and great opportunities for entrepreneurs to consider.
If you have your eyes set on the region, opportunities are huge. See below list of yearly events you can apply for. Each opportunity has specific requirements, deadlines and links are provided for ease of application.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize
For entrepreneurs anywhere around the globe, this is a great opportunity. Since 2008, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has been empowering global changemakers, recognising their innovative sustainability solutions and amplifying their transformative impact.
The total prize fund is US$5.9 million, distributed as follows:
Health US $1,000,000
Food US $1,000,000
Energy US $1,000,000
Water US $1,000,000
Climate Action US $1,000,000
Global High Schools US $900,000
For more information and to apply 👇
Expand North Star
Expand North Star 2024 is set to be a landmark event in the tech world. The fusion of GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star offers a platform for showcasing innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and shaping the future of technology.
Entrepreneurs can benefit by showcasing their innovations, meeting potential investors, and networking with industry leaders and fellow entrepreneurs from around the world. For the 2024 cohort, Expand North Star will presents 100 global scale-ups from around the globe to join the 2024 Cohort in Dubai.
The platform presents a great opportunity for INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEURS eyeing an expansion to the UAE or GCC region. Submit your application by filling out the form below. Be sure to provide comprehensive details about your venture, including your sector, funding history, and what sets you apart from the competition.
Making Prosperity
For entrepreneurs globally, this social impact initiative brings together the world’s leading innovators, governments, United Nations (UN) entities, philanthropists, academics and researchers, wherever they are located, to connect, collaborate and form a community dedicated to spreading global prosperity.
For more information 👇
The Authority of Social Contribution
For entrepreneurs located in Abu Dhabi, this is a great opportunity. Ma'an empowers third sector of nonprofits, social enterprises, and volunteer groups through extensive, sustainable and innovative funding programmes, aimed at addressing social priorities in Abu Dhabi.
For more information 👇
Aljalila Foundation
For entrepreneurs in the healthcare sector, this is a great opportunity. Al Jalila Foundation, a global healthcare philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives, to position Dubai and the UAE at the forefront of medical innovation.
Al Jalila Foundation provides scholarships to nurture a home-grown generation of medical professionals and supports ground-breaking research that addresses health challenges prevalent in the region.
For more information on seed grants 👇
Academy for Women Entrepreneurs
The Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in the UAE, in partnership with the United States Mission to the UAE, is a five-month program designed to enable women-owned SMEs to focus on business resilience, adaptability, and identifying growth opportunities. Female-owned entrepreneurs looking to upscale their business for the fast-paced growth of the UAE knowledge-based are encouraged to apply.
Various Competitions offering Prize Money
There are also multiple opportunities to compete for. See below few suggestions to keep an eye on you can apply for. Each opportunity has specific requirements, deadlines for applications.
StartAD AIM Congress
In line with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, startAD supports Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s goals of becoming a knowledge-based economy by equipping startups, SMEs, and young talent with the necessary tools to build innovative new products that serve a global need, collaborate across organizations, and develop entrepreneurial capacity.
StartAD programs equip global and regional startups from tech and non-tech industries with the tools, skills and frameworks to excel in the unique opportunity that the UAE market presents. impact-driven programs with government departments and corporate leaders to help further UAE’s transition into a knowledge-based economy.
Programs include:
HealthX: Crafting the future of healthcare, in partnership with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi Does your startup leverage GenAI to address critical challenges in healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, or streamline operations? Accelerate, validate and innovate in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
For more information 👇
Startup AIM Congress
AIM Congress is an Initiative of the AIM Global Foundation, an Independent International Organization fully committed to empower the World’s Economy by boosting effective Promotion Strategies and facilitating Opportunities for Economic Productivity and Expansion. Since its Inception, AIM Congress has established itself as a Leading Investment Platform in the Middle East, which aspires to ignite Positive Transformation by creating Investment Opportunities, upholding Solidarity and Developing Economic Relations among Nations.
For more information 👇
MoIAT announces Make it in the Emirates Start-up Pitch Competition
Three sustainability focused technology start-ups recognized for their transformative innovations at Make it in the Emirates Forum. - Inaugural competition draws almost 400 submissions, including more than 200 from overseas. - More than AED200,000 in prize money to help winning start-ups scale their technologies.
For more information on competition 👇
Aspire UAE
ASPIRE we will issue high profile competitions annually - locally and internationally - to identify the talented research teams and ground-breaking projects with the best potential to develop transformational technologies against a defined set of parameters.
For more information on competition 👇
London Business School MENA
Prominent LBS Startup competition in the MENA region, supported by the Institute of Entrepreneurship and Private Capital (IEPC). Anticipated to become one of the most reputed startup competitions, this third edition will connect aspiring entrepreneurs with VCs and investors in the region.
For more information on competition 👇
Etisalat's Hello Business Pitch
Hello Business Pitch UAE-based aspiring startups in addition to the disruptive ideators with the opportunity to participate and win prizes worth AED 350,000 to launch and scale their business further!
As the constant enablers of SMBs,
In addition to offering existing startups that are up to 3 years old an opportunity to grow and scale their business to new heights by pitching their journeys and forecasted growth, we also present a brand-new prospect to ambitious individuals that have a framework, idea, and business model but haven’t commenced operations yet. This category encourages and invites individuals to innovate and create solutions, services and products that support the national growth agenda and respond to the ongoing societal and economic transitions.
For more information on competition 👇
But don't worry, if you have your eyes set on the region, opportunities are huge. There are alos Professional networking events, business counsels and entrepreneur specific events are many.
Finally, you can start right here! Join our Founder Round Table and meet other bold entrepreneurs building the dream. That first step will get you on your way to meeting other entrepreneurs' network.
You can also wish to enter a more traditional community of entrepreneurs- they typically meet at a coworking spaces or cafes or a more outgoing one, which would tend to meet up later in the evening around downtown or Marina.
There are also many day time events if the night life is not for you. As a founder, life can be super busy, but there's something to learn from all circles particularly those have "done" it before you. There is no point in re-inventing the wheel! Experienced founders are often more open to helping and giving advice on things they already figured out.
Finally, some communities are government-led, and they have a more structured feel to them, with events such as weekly breakfasts / lunches, conferences, competitions and more. Keep an eye on those or join the right community that will keep you up to date!
Upcoming Event
We’re excited to announce the upcoming Founder Round Table & Speed Networking Webinar. This event focuses on improving your basic knowledge as an entrepreneur, with a focus on investor readiness. Join us to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and gain valuable insights.
Ready to take the next step in your business journey? Our team is here to help you get started. Book a free demo with our experts to explore how we can support your vision and set you up for success. Discover tailored solutions and personalized strategies that will give you a head start. Don't wait—reach out today and let's turn your dreams into reality!
urBIZassist believes in the power of "know-how" to transform lives and positively impact the world around us.
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