The Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund has announced the launch of its latest initiative, “Innovation Pioneers,” a national competition aimed at students to showcase their innovative ideas. This program seeks to empower the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates.
The inaugural edition of this program is supported by Dubai Investments and in collaboration with six leading academic institutions. The program will be held across various Emirates, with partner universities hosting idea presentation events, participating in judging panels, and providing guidance and mentorship to competing teams.
Student teams from across the UAE will present their concepts to a panel of experts, with selected teams advancing to the final presentation day in November 2025. The top three winners will be awarded cash prizes of 30,000 AED, 20,000 AED, and 15,000 AED, respectively, and will also benefit from the mentoring programs offered by Dubai Investments, along with access to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund’s micro-business accelerator.
The program is open to all university students in the UAE, not limited to those affiliated with the fund’s academic partners. The vision of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund is to create a national platform that enhances collaboration among academic institutions, government entities, and the private sector. By strengthening ties between educational institutions and businesses, this initiative aims to nurture a generation of young innovators and support the long-term development goals of the UAE.
Fatima Yusuf Alnaqbi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector (acting) and representative of the ministry in the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund, stated, “The launch of the ‘Innovation Pioneers’ program marks a significant milestone in the fund’s efforts to expand its influence and presence. Through this new initiative, we aim to enhance our focus on supporting innovation at the academic level, equipping students with the tools, resources, and platforms necessary to turn their ideas into reality, enabling the future changemakers to acquire impactful skills and contribute to building an innovation-based national economy.”
Mohammad Saeed Al Raqbani, Chairman of the Sustainability Committee at Dubai Investments, noted, “Our group’s partnership with the Innovation Pioneers program embodies our commitment to providing a platform that nurtures creativity and entrepreneurship while offering solutions to real-world challenges. Dubai Investments is proud to sponsor this presentation competition for UAE university students and to provide guidance and support for those turning their visions into reality.”
Professor Essam Eddin Ajami, Director of Sharjah University, remarked, “In line with the national development strategies, Sharjah University, through collaboration with the business sector and local community, aims to empower students with innovation and creativity skills and enhance their entrepreneurial culture. Through these initiatives and under the supervision of distinguished academics, we focus on preparing students, developing their practical skills, and equipping them for the labor market, thereby enhancing their readiness for future demands.”
Saeed Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of Community Relations at Abu Dhabi University, expressed, “Our partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund reflects our shared commitment to empowering youth to be changemakers by fostering innovative solutions. The ‘Innovation Pioneers’ competition will give our students the opportunity to translate bold ideas into tangible solutions that address national needs and contribute to the growing innovation efforts in the UAE.”
Dr. Mohamed Madi, Dean of the College of Business and Economics at the UAE University, added, “The university is pleased to actively contribute to the success of this program by ensuring participation from students in every round of competitions related to the initiative and hosting the competition on campus, in addition to providing experts from the College of Business and Economics and the UAE Center for Entrepreneurship Research for judging and mentorship.”
Dr. Tahseen Anwar Arshi, Associate Dean for Research and Community Service and Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah, stated, “This outstanding initiative by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund will support students and youth in the nation, reinforce the national entrepreneurial agenda in the UAE, and contribute to achieving its vision of becoming a leading entrepreneurship hub by 2031.”