Business

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has announced the second Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum, which aims to bolster the emirate’s cultural and creative industries. This forum, set to take place in Q4 2024 at the Al Quoz Creative Zone, is designed to empower entrepreneurs by transforming their ideas into successful projects and fostering self-sustaining businesses. It aligns with Dubai Culture’s commitment to investing in emerging talent, contributing to the emirate’s vision of becoming a global cultural center, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.

Last year's inaugural forum was a resounding success, attracting over 1,200 creatives, entrepreneurs, and investors. It featured 27 workshops, panels, keynote speeches, and activations, supported by nine community hub members who provided entrepreneurs with knowledge, support, and in-kind awards.

The second edition will feature a comprehensive program of keynote sessions and panel discussions led by esteemed experts. These will be complemented by interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and events designed to nurture business ingenuity and enhance the emirate’s creative landscape.

In conjunction with the forum, Dubai Culture has launched the second Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition to foster competition among creative minds and inspire groundbreaking business ideas. This initiative is part of the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy and aims to strengthen Dubai’s cultural and creative industries. The competition offers exposure and validation, with the award acting as a catalyst for commercial growth. Last year's competition saw close to 200 applicants, with winners sharing a total of AED 100,000 in cash and in-kind prizes, enabling them to invest in their ideas, develop prototypes, scale operations, and explore new market opportunities.

Applications for this year's competition are open until August 31. Shortlisted applicants will present their business ideas at the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum to a distinguished panel of industry experts, investors, and forum partners. This year, the prizes have been increased, with AED 100,000 in cash awards: AED 50,000 for the first-place winner, AED 30,000 for second place, and AED 20,000 for third. Additionally, substantial in-kind support packages will be offered by the forum’s partners.

Khulood Khoory, Director of the Projects & Events Department at Dubai Culture, emphasized the importance of the forum and competition in supporting the cultural and creative industries ecosystem and stimulating innovation among entrepreneurs. She said, “Through the forum, the Authority seeks to provide a platform capable of bringing together creative entrepreneurs, encouraging them to develop their skills, showcase their ideas and projects, and explore new ideas that contribute to their continued professional journey in various creative fields. The forum represents a unique opportunity to build bridges between entrepreneurs, experts, and investors across various fields, helping to open new horizons for them, enrich their knowledge, and enhance their culture of innovation. On the other hand, the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition represents a spacious area that encourages entrepreneurs to present their ideas, express their ambitions, and demonstrate their ability to develop new and innovative products capable of meeting market and customer needs alike.”

The competition is open to all UAE-based startups in their early stages, which must be less than two years from their launch. It spans various fields, including TV, audio and radio broadcasting; handicrafts; graphic, industrial, digital, fashion, and product design; heritage, museums, libraries, archaeology, music, film, content and motion graphics production, performing arts, visual arts, photography, publishing, e-gaming, culinary arts, and food culture. Applicants must submit supporting documentation for their business and a prototype, where applicable, to participate in the competition.

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