Are you a university student or recent graduate based in the UAE? Do you have an idea you’d like to grow into a startup? This blog post is just for YOU!
The Entrepreneurial Nation (a project by the UAE Ministry of Economy) and MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab (MITEF Pan Arab) have partnered to launch SkillUp Compete, under the umbrella of the SkillUp Academy.
SkillUp Compete is a competition that is specifically catered to university students and recent graduates (up to 4 years) who are based in the UAE and possess a great entrepreneurial mindset with innovative ideas.
The competition will be an all-digital experience. All you will have to do is simply fill out the online application, describe your idea/innovation BEFORE December 19, 2021. On December 30, 20 teams will be selected from the pool of applications to proceed with the next steps of the competition.
The qualified teams will undergo an extensive two-day virtual Bootcamp given by renowned ecosystem enablers where they will receive training in Design Thinking & Value Proposition, Scaling up your Startup, Practicing your Pitch, among many others. Following the Bootcamp, all qualified teams will virtually pitch to a panel of judges who will select 3 lucky winners to take home the equity-free cash prize of 50,000 AED per team along with the benefits and incentive packages offered by The Entrepreneurial Nation.
Registration for the competition is now open on The Entrepreneurial Nation’s website.. The deadline for applications is December 12, 2021. MITEF Pan Arab along with The Entrepreneurial Nation will also be running online roadshows to introduce entrepreneurs, university students, and recent graduates to the competition, support them in the application process and show them how to make their application stand out. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Do you have what it takes to apply?
- Are you a UAE based university student or a recent graduate (up to 4 years)?
- Does your team include at least two members?
- Do you have a validated business model with a clear plan to grow?
What SkillUp Compete offers:
- Equity free cash prize of AED 50,000 per winning team, once the business is registered
- Business setup and registration support
- Office space
- Fast-track to UAE’s industry-leading accelerator program
- Mentorship, global market potential, and capital through its network of strategic partners: Introduction to relevant partners (government entities, corporates, etc.)
- Media exposure and recognition
In a nutshell, SkillUp Compete is both an opportunity to enhance innovation among university students and recent graduates, and to boost the tech & innovation ecosystem in the UAE. It is the chance for young people in the UAE to realize their potential by applying their ideas and receiving the training and know-how to improve their innovations. This competition will be the home for a passionate and promising community of young entrepreneurs who will have the chance to improve their skills, network with people from all over the world, and grow as business leaders.
