Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 18 February 2019: The Dubai Startup Hub, an initiative launched by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with Smart Dubai to support entrepreneurship, launched the 4th round of the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition today from the Chambers headquarters.

The contest is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, to transform the emirate into the worlds happiest and smartest city.

The Smartpreneur competition seeks to engage young entrepreneurs in Dubais strategic initiatives, and empower them to participate in the Dubai Governments strategy and plans to establish the emirate as a prime international destination for innovative startups.

In his welcome address, HE Hisham Abdullah Al Shirawi, 2nd Vice Chairman, Dubai Chamber, asserted that the innovative Dubai Startup Hub initiative was launched as the Chamber became increasingly aware of the need to expand its support for entrepreneurs in Dubai and further promote innovation among them. H.E noted that launching the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition aims to empower young entrepreneurs, encourage them to think beyond traditional business models and limitations, engage them in the Dubai Governments strategy, and include them in the efforts to realize Dubais vision for becoming a full-fledged smart city.

The Dubai Smartpreneur Competition is open to all entrepreneurs residing in the UAE; candidates can submit their business ideas that resonate with Dubais future-focused, technology-driven vision, which embraces advanced breakthroughs such as Blockchain, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. Applications will be received via the link http://www.dubaichamber.com/dubaistartuphub/smartpreneur/, and then evaluated by a judging panel of experts from Dubais business and entrepreneurship community to select three winners, who will receive a monetary prize, in addition to training, support, and guidance to help them transform their ideas into concrete projects.

Entrepreneurs are invited to apply for the competition in accordance with a set timeline, which includes a training and guidance stage where they are introduced to the application procedure, as well as the programmes terms and conditions. Participants will then present their business ideas to be evaluated, the most promising of which will be shortlisted and supported. The final stage will see the top three candidates selected, trained and guided before the winners are announced at the end.