GEMS Education, a Dubai-based global education provider, has launched the ninth edition of its flagship student entrepreneurship programme, the GEMS Global Innovation Challenge (GIC). The 2026 edition has drawn a record-breaking 600+ student startup ideas, reinforcing the initiative’s evolution from a school competition into a credible, end-to-end pipeline for nurturing future founders.
The programme is a cornerstone of GEMS’ commitment to fostering innovation and aligns with the UAE’s national agenda to cultivate a knowledge-based economy driven by young talent.
Dino Varkey, Group CEO of GEMS Education, said: “When students learn to identify real-world problems, think creatively, collaborate effectively and build viable solutions, they develop skills that will serve them for life, regardless of the career paths they choose. Through initiatives like the Global Innovation Challenge, we are empowering young people to become confident innovators, problem-solvers and future founders who can contribute meaningfully to society and the economy.”
From Classroom Concepts to Investable Ventures
Building on its 2025 announcement of a USD 1 million seed fund for student-led ventures, GEMS has already awarded nearly USD 50,000 to promising projects currently undergoing incubation. This tangible investment underscores the GIC’s shift towards generating real-world outcomes, supporting students as they move from classroom ideas to commercially viable startup solutions.
A key enhancement for 2026 is the introduction of a Launch Pack, which provides schools with resources to run structured design-thinking sessions. This ensures students enter the challenge with more mature and market-aware submissions.
Baz Nijjar, Vice President – Education Technology and Digital Innovation at GEMS, commented: “GIC has matured into a genuine early-stage startup pipeline for student founders. The structured mentoring and evaluation frameworks introduced in 2025 have significantly raised the quality, readiness and commercial potential of student innovations. What matters most is not participation alone, but tangible outcomes including student-led ventures receiving seed funding, refining their products and taking meaningful steps towards real-world impact.”
Fostering Innovation Aligned with Global Goals
The GIC invites students across the GEMS network, from K-12, to design solutions addressing global challenges aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Submissions focus on areas like clean energy, healthcare, sustainability, and social equity.
Over 100 industry experts will evaluate the student pitches, focusing on innovation quality, real-world impact, and early-stage commercial viability. In April, 16 winners in both Junior and Senior categories will be announced, with the top three teams in each category sharing a prize pool and receiving continued access to mentorship and incubation opportunities.
A Robust Ecosystem of Mentorship and Support
Selected teams gain direct access to entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and innovation leaders through structured mentorship and hands-on workshops. The programme has evolved its mentoring model from short bootcamps to personalised, one-on-one engagement, particularly for Senior teams.
Industry partners, including Plug and Play Tech Center, Canva, QBS Learning, and the Determined Genius Entrepreneurship Academy, provide students with critical support in funding, incubation, product design, and go-to-market strategies. This direct industry involvement gives students invaluable exposure to product development, market validation, and early-stage investment processes.
About GEMS Global Innovation Challenge
The GEMS Global Innovation Challenge (GIC) is one of the region’s largest school-based innovation and entrepreneurship programmes for K–12 students. Designed exclusively for students across the GEMS network, the initiative challenges them to create startup solutions addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It provides a platform for students to receive seed funding, mentorship from industry experts, and incubation support to transform their ideas into real-world ventures.
Source: Zawya
