A new generation of entrepreneurs is emerging across the UAE, not from seasoned corporate backgrounds, but directly from school and university classrooms. More than 35 Emirati students have successfully transformed their academic ideas into operational startups, targeting five critical sectors with tech-driven solutions before even graduating. These ventures are leveraging innovation hubs and entrepreneurship support programs to build scalable businesses in health, employment, sustainability, education, and e-commerce.
Quick Facts
- Over 35 Emirati students turned founders while studying.
- Five new startups launched across five vital sectors.
- Ventures are built on AI and modern business models.
Ecocraft: Gamifying Sustainability Education
Abdullah Al Blooshi, a student at Khalifa University and head of Ecocraft, has developed an interactive educational platform designed as a digital game. The goal is to make sustainability a hands-on learning experience for school students aged 8 to 14.
The game places students in a virtual environment where they complete tasks related to environmental protection, such as waste collection, recycling, and restoring damaged sites. According to Al Blooshi, this approach shifts sustainability from a theoretical concept to a measurable daily practice. The platform is designed for schools, featuring no ads or in-app purchases, and includes tools for teachers to track engagement and educational impact.
Sila: A Skills-First Approach to HR Tech
Sila is challenging traditional hiring practices by focusing on practical skills over academic certificates. CEO Abdullah Al Dhohouri explained that the platform allows users to prove their abilities through practical tests and projects, giving skilled candidates a better chance to stand out.
The company uses AI to analyze qualifications, experience, skills, and video interviews to match candidates with the most suitable job opportunities. “Sila also provides a smart career coach that helps users identify skills they need to develop and creates personalized training plans to help them reach their target jobs,” added Alia Al Blooshi, the company’s Head of Growth and Marketing. The platform offers companies an advanced filtering system capable of reviewing thousands of applications in seconds to identify top talent.
TIBB: Integrating the UAE’s Healthcare Ecosystem
Founded by student Amal Al Abdouli and her team, TIBB is a comprehensive digital health platform connecting patients, doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies into a single, unified system. The platform aims to simplify access to health services and improve overall efficiency.
TIBB offers appointment booking, e-prescriptions, and remote medical consultations. It also utilizes AI to provide analytical support for doctors, helping to improve the accuracy of medical decision-making. “The project is the result of months of research and collaboration,” said team member Alanoud bin Mahdi. “We aim to build a more efficient and smooth healthcare experience.”
Ne’ma Byte: Tackling Food Waste with a Digital Marketplace
With a team of 11 members, Ne’ma Byte connects restaurants, cafes, and bakeries with surplus food to consumers looking for discounted meals. The platform, co-founded by student Mansour Al Hammadi, aims to reduce food waste while creating economic and social value.
Establishments can list unsold products at the end of the day at significant discounts, reducing food loss, generating extra revenue, and providing affordable options for consumers. “The project contributes to solving the food waste issue by promoting responsible consumption,” noted team member Noor Al Jaberi.
Fit-ID: Solving E-commerce Sizing with Digital Identity
Addressing the common challenge of inconsistent sizing across fashion brands, Fit-ID has developed a smart digital identity platform for measurements. Ali Al Badwawi, the company’s Vice President, explained that the platform helps users choose correctly fitting clothes with precision.
Using a digital body scan, a user can get their precise measurements and a 3D model in under a minute, creating a universal size ID for use at partner stores. “The platform helps reduce returns resulting from sizing errors and enhances the e-commerce shopping experience,” said CEO Abdullah bin Faris. The data also provides brands with insights to better understand customer needs and refine their products.
About The Featured Startups
The five student-led startups—Ecocraft, Sila, TIBB, Ne’ma Byte, and Fit-ID—represent a growing trend of early-stage entrepreneurship within the UAE’s educational system. Each company was founded by students to address specific market challenges using technology, with a focus on creating scalable and sustainable business models in education, HR, health, food sustainability, and e-commerce.
Source: Twasl News
