“Business for Better” provides students AED 200,000 seed funding to launch start-ups

Students and graduates from UAE-based universities can now pitch their innovative ideas for prizes worth AED 200,000 in seed-funding as part of “Enterprising Youth: Business for Better,” an initiative launched by American University of Sharjah (AUS), Al Ansari Exchange, Western Union, Crescent Enterprises and Kanaan Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The competition seeks to attract ideas that address emerging innovation in areas that include FinTech, HealthTech, augmented and virtual reality, transportation, data security and privacy, entertainment and content, social and culture, among many others. The winner of the competition will receive AED 150,000, the second place winner will receive AED 30,000 and the third place winner will receive AED 20,000.

As part of the initiative, accepted applicants (between the ages of 18 and 35) will undergo a series of workshops that cover topics including “Profiting from Technology,” “Mechanics of Success,” and “Innovation Working for You.” The workshops will be delivered over three-weeks on Saturdays during April; and will be facilitated by Ziad Makhzoumi, Chief Executive Officer of Prime Strategy Consulting Group, who has held prominent leadership roles in renowned organizations such as Arabtec and Fakih IVF Group, in addition to being an astute public speaker and a recipient of a number of prestigious awards.

Enterprising Youth: Business for Better is also supported by All Prints Distributors and Publishers, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Petrofac International Ltd, StartAD, and will be held at Sheraa.

The deadline for accepting applications is April 3, 2017.