Dubai opens door to startups globally to win AED 100,000 for an innovative idea

Dubai: Young startup entrepreneurs from around the world have been invited to participate in a competition and win AED 100,000 to help launch their project.

A startup initiative spearheaded by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the six-week, zero-equity accelerator programme aims to tap into the creative startup community by inviting tech start-ups to the industry.

Yousuf Lootah, executive director of Tourism Development and Investments, Dubai Tourism, said: “Since the inception of the Futurism Programme in 2017, Dubai Tourism has helped shine a light on several pioneering startup businesses from around the world, supporting them to become true success stories, as their solutions have led to impactful improvements to the travel and tourism sector.

The Futurism Programme is part of the Dubai 10X initiative by the Government of Dubai to accelerate the city 10 years ahead of others.

The shortlisted entrants will be put through a six-week accelerator programme during which ten finalists will each be given the opportunity to finalise a pilot project with the support of Dubai Tourism, Tajawal-Seera Group, Atlantis The Palm, Emaar Hospitality Group and the Emirates Group.
The start-ups will pitch their unique concepts to a group of business owners, investors and venture capitalists at the Dubai Tourism stand at Gitex Future Stars, which will be hosted later this year.