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OverviewNSTI X icon

The Next Founder Competition is a fully integrated entrepreneurship competition aimed at empowering higher education students with essential entrepreneurial skills. As part of the National Science Technology and Innovation (NSTI) Festival held annually in Dubai every February, the competition provides participants with a unique blend of vocational training, mentorship, and comprehensive guidance throughout their entrepreneurial journey.

Open to students from public and private higher education institutions—including Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. programs—the competition targets those who have innovative business ideas and have started operating them on a small scale. Participants will engage in a three-day Bootcamp designed to refine their business models, harness their skills and knowledge, and gain practical business experience through mentorship and networking opportunities.

Objectives of the Competition

  • Enable new startups to create scale and value, and develop their business models through vocational training and strategic guidance.
  • Coach & Mentor startups to manage expectations and implement successful entrepreneurship habits.
  • Support startups in launching their businesses with a solid foundation and gain confidence by providing excellent networking opportunities with professionals in the field for fast access to market and finance.

Competition Focus Skills

Creativity and Innovation

Passion & Energy

Ability to Network

Opportunity Discovery

Goal Mindset

Risk-Taking

Resilience

Participation Rules

Eligibility Criteria

  • Open to all nationalities.
  • Participants must be students enrolled in a university within the UAE or be Emirati students on scholarships abroad.
  • Eligible education levels: Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. students.
  • Participants should have business ideas and have started operations on a small scale (e.g., home-based businesses, social media channels, or freelancing). A trade license is not mandatory.

Team Composition

  • Each project may have up to two primary participants.
  • Participants can invite a team of up to four additional candidates to attend the Bootcamp with them.

Registration Process

  • Registration Deadline: November 22, 2024
  • Complete the online registration form, providing all required data and documents.
  • Submit a short video according to the specified guidelines.

Video Submission Guidelines

  • Duration: No longer than 60 seconds.
  • Content:
    • Introduction: Name, age, and a short bio.
    • Project Overview: Brief description of your project idea, highlighting its main distinguishing features, target audience, and the value it presents.
  • Technical Specifications:
    • Videos must be uploaded as a single, high-quality file.
    • Ensure clear visibility with adequate lighting.
    • Sound effects may be used.
    • Do not use copyrighted material unless authorized.

Competition Focus Areas

Projects can be in any of the following fields:

Art

Design

Education

Fashion

Tourism and Travel Services

Healthcare

Film and Video

Food

Gaming

Sports

Technology

AI

Music

Publishing

Engineering

Other

Awards

The competition offers significant support and recognition to the top participants:

Top 5 Winners

1st Place

Prize: AED 10,000

2nd Place

Prize: AED 5,000

3rd Place

Prize: AED 5,000

4th Place

Prize: AED 5,000

5th Place

Prize: AED 5,000

Additional Benefits for Top 5 Winners

  • Full Support in launching their businesses through incubator memberships.
  • Seed Funding opportunities to further develop their startups.
  • Mentorship and Training from specialized entities to refine their business strategies.
  • Recognition during the NSTI Festival closing ceremony.

All Participants

  • Participation in a three-day Bootcamp with specialized mentors.
  • Vocational Training and Mentorship to enhance entrepreneurial skills.
  • Networking Opportunities with professionals and industry experts.

Timeline

October 22, 2024

Call for Participation

Announcement of the registration and application submission for the Next Founder Competition through social media and official communications.

November 22, 2024

Registration and Proposal Deadline

Final date to complete registration and submit project proposals and videos. No submissions will be accepted after this date.

November 25, 2024

Proposal Evaluation

Review of student applications and videos to ensure alignment with competition criteria.

December 9, 2024

Announcement of Shortlisted Projects

The top 10 selected projects will receive invitations to attend the NSTI Festival with the opportunity to become the 2025 winners.

January 7, 2025

Networking Session

Qualified participants will attend a virtual induction session to receive essential information about the competition procedures.

February 1–3, 2025

NSTI Festival Bootcamp

All top 10 projects will attend a three-day Bootcamp during the NSTI Festival to develop their pitch decks with specialized mentors.

February 4, 2025

Pitching Session

Participants will pitch their projects to a judging panel, which will evaluate and select the top 5 winners to be announced at the closing ceremony.

February 5, 2025

Closing Ceremony

Announcement and awarding of the top 5 winners (Next Founders) during the NSTI Festival closing ceremony.