UAE's First "du" Startup Challenge Kickstarts on April 3rd

Du, a UAE-based multiple award-winning telecom provider serving nine million customers, has launched its first nationwide challenge designed for Emirati startups, on April 3rd. Aiming to empower Emirati youth with an entrepreneurial drive and prepare them to successfully contribute to the UAE’s startup ecosystem, winners will receive cash prizes categorized according to rank. AED 25,000 ($6,800) will go to the first place, AED 15,000 ($4,000) will go the second, and AED 10,000 ($2,700) to the third.

In partnership with Zayed University, the competition is open to Emirati students from universities across the UAE with fresh startup ideas involved with technology, social entrepreneurship and digital solutions. "We, at Zayed University, are delighted to be part of this unique initiative," says Vice President of Zayed University Dr Reyadh Almehaideb. "We are working on empowering the new generation and [encouraging] Emirati students to submit their creative ideas and innovations to participate in beneficial workshops and the competition challenge, to develop solutions and disrupt the ecosystem with fresh ideas." 

Du will work closely with Zayed University to inspire generations to adopt a skillset that includes leadership, creativity, responsibility and ambition. Through engaging workshops, du will arm the Emirati entrepreneurs with the necessary expertise and market knowledge that will empower them to turn their dreams into realities.

As Dubai puts together a plan to become the world's first blockchain city in the coming few years, UAE's 2021 vision is looking to establish an entrepreneurial culture in its educational systems. “Now, and in alignment with the UAE Vision 2021 that directs the transitioning to a knowledge-based economy, we are delighted to launch this initiative. We look forward to meeting candidates who foster creative ideas and are interested in being a part of the local startup ecosystem” says the Executive Vice President of Brand and Corporate Communications in du, Abdulwahed Juma. “Through this university-driven initiative, we want to encourage and inspire UAE Nationals to pursue and develop their business ideas by being bold and well prepared to pursue their dreams."

It has been 100 years since the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE, has been born. To salute this patriotic occasion, the UAE's President has declared that 2018 would become "Year of Zayed," featuring a series of events and initiatives across the country commemorating Zayed's legacy and promoting the values that he displayed throughout his life in creative and interactive ways. The challenge is a part of the Year of Zayed, co-organised by E11 Global, a global startup platform that provides entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to successfully develop their own businesses, and Step Group, a Dubai-based media and events company responsible for launching STEP Conference in the UAE. 

For more information, you can visit the challenge's website. 

Image courtesy of du.