Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Sandooq Al Watan is offering university students an opportunity to turn their creative ideas into viable business ventures through its Student Pitch Competition this fall. As pitch day approaches, excitement is building among the aspiring entrepreneurs who have submitted their entries.
Designed to foster innovation and promote entrepreneurship among university students in the UAE, the initiative invites young individuals to submit their business ideas for a chance to win a grant that could help them develop their products and launch their ventures. The competition is divided into four categories: cybersecurity, healthcare, sustainability, and tourism, culture and creative industries.
The first-place winner will receive Dh30,000; Dh20,000 will go to the second-place winner; and Dh15,000 for third place - in addition to mentorship that provides expert guidance to help refine their business model and accelerate their startup journey.
Applications will close on October 26 and finalists will be announced on October 31. The final pitch day is scheduled on November 8.
Zayed Salem of Fatima College of Health Sciences entered the competition with an idea that leverages AI to deliver personalised, preventive healthcare.
The concept is aimed at boosting community health through technology. “Healthcare entrepreneurship requires the use of more innovative treatment approaches,” Salem said.
Hamdan Fahad, a student at Higher Colleges of Technology, is hoping he and his team can get a chance to pitch their idea that revolves around protecting digital resources.
“Our participation in cybersecurity wasn’t just a graduation project. Technological innovation is the foundation of the future, and robust cybersecurity is the foundation of security,” Fahad told Aletihad.
Hamed Al Ameri, a student at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), submitted an entry for the sustainability category.
“Reducing our carbon footprint is only one aspect of our vision for a sustainable future; another aspect is the opportunity to develop innovative economic strategies that ensure the wellbeing of future generations,” Al Ameri said.
