The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced March 28 as the deadline for receiving applications for the second edition of the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition, which was launched recently in cooperation with the Smart Dubai Office.

The competition gives aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to be part of Dubai’s mission to create happiness by embracing technology innovation and transforming the emirate into a global smart city. The competition is open to all entrepreneurs residing in the UAE, and requires participants to submit their business ideas based on one of the following Smart Dubai strategy dimensions: Smart Economy, Smart Living, Smart Mobility, Smart Governance, Smart Environment, and Smart ICT Infrastructure.

Participation in the competition will involve training and mentoring sessions that are designed to help entrepreneurs develop and pitch their business ideas. Entrants will be evaluated by a high-level panel of experts from Dubai Chamber and Smart Dubai Office who will select three winners. The winners will get cash prizes and the opportunity to join the Tejar Dubai entrepreneurship development programme for a year.

Tejar Dubai provides entrepreneurs with access to an extensive development programme, including classroom learning, on-site training, mentoring and business advice, as well as networking opportunities with local and international business leaders, and access to investment capital.

Essa Al Zaabi, Senior Vice-President, Institutional Support Sector, Dubai Chamber, and General Coordinator of Tejar Dubai, explained that the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition supports efforts to stimulate innovation within the emirate’s private sector, adding that this objective is outlined under the Chamber’s 2017-2021 strategy.

"Young entrepreneurs stand to make a major contribution to Dubai’s smart city vision by developing creative and innovative solutions that address existing challenges and improve the lives of citizens and residents," Al Zaabi said, adding that the competition also enhances the emirate’s competitiveness and position as a knowledge-based economy.