The Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC), a NAMA Women Advancement Establishment (NAMA) affiliate, has called on UAE-based female-owned start-ups that operate in the technology and innovation sectors to apply to be one of ten SBWC-sponsored showcase pods at GITEX Future Stars (GFS) 2019. GFS will take place from October 6-9 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

This is SBWC’s fourth consecutive year participating in GFS – the fastest growing global start-up event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. It’s part of the entity’s continuous efforts to highlight the skills of women entrepreneurs by allowing them to showcase their ideas, innovations and products.

Registration is now open and will close on August 9, 2019. The ten chosen start-ups and entrepreneurs will be showcased at the upcoming edition. However, there are qualifications that must be met in order to participate in the event, which state that businesses/ideas should be UAE- based, have an element of technology, innovation and functionality, and must support a social, cultural or environmental cause.

Selected startups will compete in the third largest pitch fund, the GITEX Supernova Challenge with a total cash prize of $200,000. Of this prize money, $100,000 will be split among the 10 categories, with winners in each category getting $10,000 each. The Supernova Competition will carry a separate prize money of $100,000, in which the 10 chosen start-ups will also be able to participate.

Sheikha Hind Majid Al Qassimi, Chairperson of SBWC, said “This year, SBWC is collaborating with GFS as its ‘Women in Tech Partner’ and are the official sponsors of the Women in Tech category. We actively work towards increasing the entry level of female-led businesses and start-ups in non-traditional fields like technology. We do so by presenting them with the best possible opportunities, and sponsoring deserving projects at GFS 2019 is a part of our thrust in that direction.

“We encourage women entrepreneurs to seize this opportunity to register and submit their applications. This is a golden opportunity that will provide selected entrepreneurs with opportunities to engage with talented peers and to showcase their ideas to potential buyers and investors from around the world.”