The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Smart Dubai Office have launched the second edition of the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition.

The competition is open to entrepreneurs from around the world who are invited to submit their business plans, including revenue generation models, and who demonstrate passion for innovation.

Business ideas should support one of the Smart Dubai dimensions – smart economy, smart living, smart mobility, smart governance, smart environment, and smart people.

A total prize of AED150,000 will be distributed equally amongst three winners.

The first Dubai Smartpreneur competition received 350 entries out of which a specialised committee of judges selected the three finalists.

Speaking about the second edition of the competition, Essa Al Zaabi, Senior Vice-President, Institutional Support Sector, Dubai Chamber, and General Coordinator of Tejar Dubai, said: “This second session will keep the momentum and lead to generating excellent business ideas while encouraging young entrepreneurs to participate in Dubai’s strategic initiatives and contribute to the emirate’s efforts of creating happiness by adopting innovative technology while transforming Dubai into a smart city.”

Al Zaabi further stressed that the Chamber strives to stimulate creativity and innovation in the private sector through various innovative programmes for enhancing customer happiness and as part of the UAE’s post-oil strategy for the growth of economic sectors and industries based on innovation and excellence. “Therefore, the Chamber is working with its partners to support this trend through initiatives like the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition which promotes smart business among young entrepreneurs,” he said.

LoadMe.ae, a new online platform that uses GPS tracking and smartphone apps to connect load owners with available lorries and arrange pickups in their area, was awarded first prize on the sidelines of the ArabNet Digital Summit 2016 closing ceremony in May.

Sebastian Stephen, CEO of LoadMe.ae, stated that the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition offered intense training sessions and professional help. “I would advise young entrepreneurs to register for the next edition with an idea that can make Dubai smarter as the Smartpreneur Competition is the perfect environment to launch new ground-breaking projects,” he said.

The second prize went to Efhamni (Understand Me), an application designed to bridge the gap between deaf and hearing people, and the third prize was given to ‘I Want’, an on-demand platform that helps people buy anything on retailers’ shelves with the push of a button.

The Dubai Smartpreneur Competition was launched in cooperation with the Smart Dubai Office with the aim to strengthen the role of entrepreneurs in transforming Dubai into a “smart city.”