Dubai is consolidating its position as a global digital transformation hub, reflecting the strategic vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This emphasis on innovation was highlighted by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, who stressed the emirate’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent capable of meeting future technological demands.
The Crown Prince’s remarks coincided with the launch of the third edition of the ‘Create Apps Championship,’ spearheaded by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy (DCE). Building on the significant achievements of the ‘Create Apps in Dubai’ initiative since its inception in 2023, the championship serves as a vital platform for empowering entrepreneurs and accelerating the growth of the digital ecosystem.
Driving Innovation Through Entrepreneurship
The ‘Create Apps Championship’ has become a cornerstone of Dubai’s strategy to achieve the ambitious objectives outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to secure the emirate’s place as a global capital for the digital economy.
The first two editions saw robust engagement, attracting over 5,800 applications and contributing directly to the development and market launch of more than 55 intelligent applications. This track record underscores the initiative’s success in cultivating innovative ideas and bolstering the local technology sector.
Sheikh Hamdan emphasized that Dubai is creating an environment that not only attracts global talent but also inspires innovation locally. “By fostering a world-class innovation ecosystem that empowers talent and inspires creativity, we are accelerating the development of future-focused solutions,” he stated, noting that the emirate’s development model relies heavily on seamless collaboration between the public and private sectors.
New Categories Reflect Societal Priorities
The latest edition introduces several enhancements designed to align digital innovation with national strategic priorities, particularly concerning quality of life and future readiness.
Reflecting global focus on wellness, the championship unveils the ‘Longevity App of the Year’ award. This new category seeks to identify and honor applications that leverage technology to improve wellbeing, sustainable health, fitness, and overall lifestyle.
Also debuting is the Alumni Accelerator Programme, a dedicated initiative to transition high-potential concepts into fully realized products. This program will offer successful initial applicants access to a business accelerator and aims to facilitate the launch of 50 additional developed applications into the marketplace. Furthermore, a new participant hub will provide tailored training, mentorship, and expert consultation to accelerate project growth.
Sustaining Global Leadership in Technology
His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, affirmed that the championship has rapidly evolved into a globally recognized initiative.
“Through this challenge, we continue to attract exceptional talent to Dubai’s innovation-driven environment,” His Excellency noted, adding that the city serves as an advanced model for keeping pace with the rapid shifts in the digital applications sector.
The competition is structured around four main categories:
- Best Youth App
- Most Impactful App
- Most Innovative App
- Longevity App of the Year
To fuel application development and market entry, the championship offers extensive funding packages totaling over AED 2.5 million. Winners in three categories will each receive more than AED 550,000. Additionally, one finalist will secure the ‘App of the Year’ title, based on public voting, and be awarded a grand prize of AED 1 million, significantly boosting the resources available for developing and launching their application.
The ‘Create Apps Championship’ is currently accepting registrations, reinforcing Dubai’s dedication to empowering the next generation of digital entrepreneurs and cementing its reputation as a leading international tech hub. Interested applicants can find more details and register through the official initiative website.