Business

The second edition of the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum, organized by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), successfully brought together over 700 entrepreneurs and creatives, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for culture and creativity.

Held in the Al Quoz Creative Zone, the forum served as a vital platform for fostering innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship in Dubai’s cultural and creative industries (CCI). The event featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, mentoring sessions, and networking opportunities, helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into viable business ventures.

Spotlighting Dubai’s Thriving Creative Economy

Khulood Khoory, Director of the Projects & Events Department at Dubai Culture, emphasized the forum’s role in showcasing Dubai’s thriving creative ecosystem and supporting the city’s ambition to become a global center for culture and innovation by 2026.

"This year’s forum has become a pivotal platform for shedding light on the thriving creative economy in Dubai, spotlighting inspiring success stories and innovative projects that underscore the emirate’s position as a global hub for culture and creativity," said Khoory.

Creative Startups Take the Spotlight

A key highlight of the forum was the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition, where six outstanding startups were selected to pitch their innovative business concepts to a distinguished jury panel, which included:

• Hashem Montasser, Founder & CEO, The Lighthouse Group
• Mohammed Kazim, Co-founder, Tamashee
• Genny Ghanimeh, Founder & CEO, Mind Cloud Tribe
• Medea Nocentini, Founder, C3
• Sahar Abdulla, Senior Manager, Dubai SME
• Sho Choudhury, Art Collector & Founder, DNA Health & Wellness

The jury evaluated pitches based on creativity, impact, and entrepreneurial potential, ultimately selecting three winners:

1. First Prize: Maysoon Al Shamsi – Founder, Creams Botanics

   • A sustainable handmade wellness brand inspired by the Emirati landscape.
   • “The forum provided us with opportunities to connect with industry experts, potential partners, and like-minded entrepreneurs, helping us shape our brand’s future,” said Al Shamsi.

2. Second Prize: Ghaleya Al Mansoori – Founder, Kenaz Art Studio

   • The UAE’s first mobile art studio, offering artistic and educational programs in traditional crafts and contemporary arts.
   • “Winning this competition reflects the value of our educational and artistic initiatives, which aim to make art accessible to all,” said Al Mansoori.

3. Third Prize: Rory McLoughlin – Co-founder, Like Minds

   • A UAE-based creative community for agencies and filmmakers.
   • “The forum underscores the power of community-driven initiatives, inspiring participants to develop their ventures,” said McLoughlin.

Empowering Entrepreneurs with Resources and Support

The competition winners received financial and in-kind prizes worth over AED 350,000, provided by Dubai Culture in collaboration with Dubai SME, Letswork, LinkedIn, and Make Works UAE. These prizes aim to support emerging entrepreneurs in scaling their projects and making a lasting impact on Dubai’s creative industries.

The Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum continues to play a crucial role in nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities for the next generation of cultural entrepreneurs in Dubai.

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