The MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Startup Competition, in partnership with Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives
The Competition targets 21 countries of the Arab region, brings in more than 5,000 applications a year and engages entrepreneurs in mentorship and networking. So far, the Competition has trained 1,500 entrepreneurs and has create over 250 knowledge based jobs. It receives applications in 4 different tracks: Ideas, Startups, Social Entrepreneurship, and The Silicon Valley Program.
Idea Tracks
Eligibility Criteria for the Ideas track
- At least two members per team
- At least one Arab national on the team
- No Working Prototype required
- No Sales
- No Registration required when applying, but winners are required to incorporate a company in one of the Arab countries in order to be able to receive their prize
- Should not have received any previous funding
- Your Ideas can be in ANY industry
Startup Track:
Eligibility Criteria for the Startups Track
- At least two members per team
- At least one Arab national on the team
- Working prototype, ideally with some user traction and some sales
- Generates at most $500K in annual revenues
- 0-5 years in operations
- Legally registered in one of the Arab countries
- Your Startup can be in ANY industry
Eligibility Criteria for the Social Entrepreneurship Track
- At least two members per team
- At least one Arab national on the team
- You should have a registered social enterprise, as we are targeting “Startups” stage social enterprises (It can be for-profit or non-for-profit)
- Your core product/service needs to address a social problem targeting marginalised/disadvantaged population
- Your Social Enterprise can be in ANY industry
Prizes
- Startups Track: $50K for the first winner, $15K for the second winner, and $10K for the third winner
- Ideas Track: $15K for the first winner, $10K for the second winner, and $5K for the third winner
- Social Entrepreneurship Track: 3 winners winning $10K each
Timeline
- Deadline for submissions: January 4, 2016
- Announcement of the 70 semifinalist teams: February 1, 2016
- Pre-boot Camp in 4 different Arab countries (Egypt,Jordan,Morocco and UAE): Date TBC
- Lean startup Training: 11-12 April, 2016
- Round 2 Judging-Speed dating activity-Networking dinner & announcement of the finalists: April 13, 2016
- Final oral presentations: April 14, 2016
- Final Awards Ceremony-Announcement of the winners followed by a Gala Dinner: April 14, 2016
- MIT Technology Review Arab Edition full day conference: April 15, 2016
To apply please visit
Visit here to apply for the 9th MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Startup Competition
