Students Pitch Innovative Biz Ideas at The Big Start 2013 Entrepreneur Competition

Students Pitch Innovative Biz Ideas at The Big Start 2013 Entrepreneur Competition

Seven enthusiastic Round 2 winners have been selected in The Big Start 2013 student entrepreneur competition. They will have a chance to pitch their business idea to Al Tamimi Investments’ board running up to the final stage of The Big Start and to prove that their idea has all aspects to become the winning entry in the prestigious competition.

The Round 2 winners of The Big Start 2013 student entrepreneur competition have been shortlisted. Seven candidates have been selected from the 289 initial applications (111 female/178 male), which is the highest number of applicants since the start of the competition in 2009. The Round 2 winners are representing American University in Dubai, American University of Sharjah, BITS Pilani Dubai, Manipal University and SP Jain School of Global Management.

The ideas include a new pharmacy concept, private education service, unique fashion concept, concept book store, higher education internet service, creativity and healthy recreation facility and luxury beauty products service.

Rachael Wunsch, CEO of Al Tamimi Investments (ATI), articulates how she is especially looking forward to this season’s finals in July “I’m impressed with the level and variety of the student entrepreneurs’ business ideas. It will be a tight final race and I’m looking forward to see the outcome of this season. We are primarily looking for a great idea that we can invest in but also as important is the right contestant who has the personality and drive to make their business idea a success. ATI supports the winner and provides a framework to help the winner to start up their business.

The seven Round 2 winners will be pitching to the ATI board, who selects which contestants will be presenting to ATI’s Chairman, Essam Al Tamimi, who will make the final decision as to which business idea(s) will win. The winner of the 4th season of The Big Start will get full funding and support by the venture capital company, Al Tamimi Investments.

“The Big Start is a key part of ATI’s core CSR initiative and our aim with the competition is to inspire and encourage young entrepreneurs to follow their dreams and also give them the chance to make their business ideas a reality. We believe start-ups are an essential contribution to the UAE’s economy and there is plenty of potential around that we just need to capture,” said Wunsch.

The winner will be announced at The Big Start Awards Ceremony on the 2nd July, 2013, in Dubai. Together with the Top 5 universities supporting entrepreneurship and going one step further to bridge the gap between academia and the real business world.

The Big Start Round 2 winners:
Dana Al Dafaa, American University in Dubai
Yacine Daoud, American University in Dubai
Ahmad Tarabishi, American University of Sharjah
Amr Khalifa, American University of Sharjah
Nikhil Pradhan, BITS Pilani Dubai
Evangeline Johnson, Manipal University
Rohit Gambhir, SP Jain School of Global Management

Previous Big Start winners:
Season 1: Yahya Stapic, Founder of United Designers (www.uniteddesigners.ae)
Season 2: Stefanie Ost, Founder & CEO of So Famous (www.so-famous.com)
Season 3: Aditi Sen, Founder of SENSE (under incorporation)

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