Dubai Culture announces winners of Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition
The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) concluded the third edition of the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum with great success, highlighting the emirate’s commitment to nurturing its creative economy and fostering innovation across cultural industries.
Held over two days at Al Khayat Avenue, the forum brought together leading entrepreneurs, investors, and creative professionals for a series of workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions designed to transform creative ideas into successful ventures.
As part of the event’s closing ceremony, Dubai Culture announced the winners of the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition, which aims to empower start-ups and innovative projects contributing to Dubai’s cultural and creative industries (CCIs).
Winners and awards
-
First place: Hamad Khoory, founder of Bedaoius, a digital gaming company inspired by local heritage — AED 80,000
-
Second place: Sofia Khmelidze, founder of ArtDep, which organizes cultural experiences and art events — AED 50,000
-
Third place: Nizar Ahmadi, founder and CEO of MADE, a UAE platform connecting creative talent with industry opportunities — AED 30,000
In total, AED 160,000 in cash prizes were distributed to outstanding entrepreneurs whose work supports the advancement of Dubai’s creative sector.
Judging and evaluation
The judging panel featured prominent industry figures, including Ahmad AlFahim (Dubai Sports Council), Neha Kaura (AW Rostamani), Fatima Ahmad (Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund), and John Shelley (Rite).
Entries were assessed based on innovation, creativity, market viability, sustainability, and social impact, with particular emphasis on ideas that enhance cultural diversity and generate employment opportunities within the CCIs.
Inspiring talks and workshops
The forum hosted an array of thought-provoking sessions, such as “Animating the Future” by Mohamed Saeed Harib, Chairman of Lammtara Art Production, and “Co-Creating Tomorrow: Writing the Human Story with AI” featuring Mo Gawdat and Omar Butti.
Other highlights included “Beyond a Star” with Chef Mohamad Orfali and Devina Divecha, exploring the balance between creativity, authenticity, and entrepreneurship.
Attendees also benefited from interactive workshops, including:
-
“Rock Your Profile” by LinkedIn’s Bilal Maasarani
-
“Creating Success: Empathetic Entrepreneurship Thinking” by Elmar Schüller from DIDI
-
“Unlocking IP for Creatives” by Marian Rico Rodriguez from Dubai Economy and Tourism
-
“Partners by Design”, a two-part series by ATÖLYE focused on resilience and collaboration in creative communities
Empowering Dubai’s creative ecosystem
Khulood Khoory, Director of Projects and Events at Dubai Culture, said the forum has become a vital incubator for creative entrepreneurship, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global hub for cultural innovation.
“Through initiatives like the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum, Dubai Culture creates a competitive environment that attracts investors and talent while providing entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed,” she said.
In addition to cash prizes, winners received in-kind rewards from forum partners, including mentorship, workspace access, branding support, and investment opportunities from organizations such as Oraseya Capital, In5, LinkedIn, Zoho, TiE Dubai, and Letswork.
The event was organized in collaboration with multiple partners, including Entrepreneur Middle East as media partner, and Al Khayat Avenue, Kanvas, Oblong Contemporary Art Gallery, Hungarian Games, and Area 57 as venue partners.
The success of the 2025 edition underscores Dubai Culture’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth in the emirate’s creative economy.
