Young entrepreneurs to pitch start-up concepts at tech week

Ritika Sharma / Emirates Business

Dubai is all set to host a one-of-its-kind start-up showdown, as region’s young entrepreneurs will pitch unique start-up concepts conceived to solve the greatest technology challenges of today’s world. Handpicked by an esteemed panel of distinguished technology industry experts, business gurus and SME accelerators, the contestants will compete for cash prize of AED50,000 during the first day of upcoming Future Technology Week scheduled from March 29 to 31.
During the competition titled The Hive, the contestants will present breakthrough business concepts to a live audience and judging panel in a five-minute pitch on the first day of the tech event. The panel of judges includes Ibrahim Tadros, Head, Business Development and Strategy, Wamda; Muhammed Mekki, Founding Partner, AstroLabs; Jonny Voon, IoT Lead, Innovate UK, and Shaun Moore, CEO and Founder, Chui – the world’s smartest doorbell.
A one-day event, The Hive is supported by Dubai SME, the agency of the Department of Economic in Development (DED) in Dubai mandated to develop the SME sector, Wamda and Astrolabs, and runs in parallel with four specialised shows – Gulf Information Security Expo & Conference (GISEC), the Internet of Things Expo (IoTX), The Big Data Show and Gulf Enterprise Mobility Exhibition & Conference (GEMEC) – being held from March 29 to 31 at DWTC.
“The Hive is a dedicated innovative platform for budding, ambitious entrepreneurs to present their entrepreneurial ideas and innovative start-up business concepts. It’s the start-up showdown of the century,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events, DWTC, the Future Technology Week organiser. The contestants’ submissions will be judged on six criteria including practical use of product or solution, innovative use of technology, ease of implementation, sustainable business model, user adoption to date and difference to other products in the market.
“Technology and innovation together make an ideal SME platform for entrepreneurs and start-ups to pursue success. A key finding in our State of the SME report was that innovative SMEs tend to be more internationally oriented. The Hive initiative should be supported because any effort to inspire entrepreneurs and tech SMEs is an investment in sustaining innovation and enterprise growth,” said Saeed Matar Al Marri, Deputy CEO of Dubai SME.
Judge Tadros added: “IoT is driving many innovative start-ups and l expect listening to bright minds pitching their concepts will be informative and fun. I look forward to identifying the winner and keeping track of their evolution over coming months and years.”