Abu Dhabi // Budding entrepreneurs are being urged to showcase their innovations in a new contest.
The Khalifa Fund for Technopreneur Projects competition will offer hopefuls advice about business and help them turn their ideas into commercial prototypes.
The contest has been organised by Abu Dhabi University and the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development.
“One of the UAE’s greatest assets along with oil and gas is the intellectual wealth of the nation’s people,” said Dr Nabil Ibrahim, chancellor of Abu Dhabi University.
“Unfortunately, many aspiring entrepreneurs are discouraged by the misconception that starting a technology-based business is too costly and is only for giant corporates.
“Through this competition, we’re hoping to prove that intellectual wealth is the gateway to financial wealth, and not the other way round.”
Entrants will be able to attend workshops on topics such as how to accelerate the process between the technical idea and a market-ready product.
Individuals or groups can enter and three winners will be chosen. They will receive funding from the Khalifa Fund, business and technical mentoring and access to Abu Dhabi University resources.
The competition will encourage future entrepreneurs to innovate creatively in the technology sector and will benefit the participants, said Ibrahim Ahmed Al Mansoori, chief executive of the Khalifa Fund.
“The Fund gives special interest to the valuable projects, which help in conveying the technology to the local market,” he said.
“We are aiming to make the Emirati entrepreneurs able to participate in supporting the local economy and to empower the knowledge economy.”
The closing date for entries is February 26. For more information and to register, log on to www.technopreneurae.com.
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