The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development has kicked off the second edition of its Entrepreneurship Competition, an initiative designed to identify and back promising innovators and entrepreneurs across Abu Dhabi. In collaboration with the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award, the competition aims to address market needs by supporting startups in priority sectors.
Quick Facts
- Total support value exceeds AED 1 million
- Targets Emirati-owned or co-founded startups
- Focus sectors include FinTech, Energy, and Agriculture
A Pathway from Idea to Market
The competition provides founders with a comprehensive support package intended to accelerate their growth. This includes a mix of cash and in-kind funding with a total value of over AED 1 million.
Beyond capital, participants gain access to physical and digital infrastructure, including dedicated workspaces and advanced digital tools. The program also offers specialized workshops, high-level consulting, exclusive networking events, and strategic support to help startups move from prototype to market-ready solutions.
Her Excellency Mozah Obaid Al Naseri, CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, stated, “The launch of the second edition of the Khalifa Fund Entrepreneurship Competition is part of our ongoing efforts to support Emirati entrepreneurs and transform their innovative ideas into sustainable economic projects. The competition confirms our commitment as a strategic partner to every ambitious entrepreneur who contributes to diversifying the national economy and enhancing the competitiveness of startups.”
She added, “This year’s edition is distinguished by its geographical expansion to include the Mizn centers in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, alongside the collaboration with the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award as a path for recognition and institutional acknowledgment.”
The Five-Stage Journey
The competition is structured into five distinct phases, culminating in a high-profile finale held in conjunction with the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award ceremony.
The first two stages involve application and screening. The application window is open from April until June 5, 2026, followed by a technical evaluation to select qualified projects.
The third stage consists of intensive training camps focused on business model development, product-market fit, growth strategies, and technical feasibility. This phase concludes with demo presentations to select the top 15 finalists.
During June and July, the fourth stage will prepare the finalists for the final round. They will receive “Mizn” membership and specialized pitch training to ensure investment readiness.
In the final stage, the top contenders will present their pitches directly to a judging panel of investors, industry leaders, and government representatives. Five winners will be selected from the target sectors, along with three winners for special innovation awards.
Who Can Apply?
Participation is open to entrepreneurs aged 18 and older who are residents of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra.
Projects must be owned by an Emirati citizen or have at least one Emirati co-founder. Additionally, startups are required to have a working prototype or a minimum viable product (MVP). Evaluation criteria include a project’s sector impact, market potential, scalability, team competency, and technical feasibility.
About Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development
The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development is a government entity in Abu Dhabi dedicated to fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It provides funding, training, and mentorship to help Emirati entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses, contributing to the economic diversification of the UAE.
Source: MENAFN
