TiE Dubai has announced the UAE winners of its TiE U MENA Program 2025, a competition designed to nurture and showcase innovation among student-led startups. The program celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit of university students, culminating in the recognition of three promising ventures.
AI-powered retail solutions provider Hulexo, founded by Huzaifa Hameed, was awarded the top prize. The runners-up were EdTech platform NextWave, led by Abdurrahman Sagir, and SpaceTech venture SpacePoint “Space.”, founded by Abdullah AlSalmani.
Spotlight On The Winners
The winning startup, Hulexo, is focused on transforming the retail sector with its AI-powered Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Point of Sale (POS) system. The platform helps retailers streamline their operations and scale their businesses more efficiently.
Runner-up NextWave operates as a student hub, aiming to simplify the university admissions process in the UAE for both local and international students. The platform provides a seamless gateway to explore programs, apply to institutions, and connect with universities, while its Nextwave Plus (N+) feature offers continued academic and career development support.
The second runner-up, SpacePoint “Space.”, is an EdTech startup dedicated to boosting STEM education. It provides educational satellite development kits, called SatKit, that offer students hands-on experience in building satellite subsystems. The program is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing students for careers in the space and advanced technology sectors.
Fostering University-Level Entrepreneurship
The TiE U MENA Program is a key initiative by TiE Dubai to foster entrepreneurship at the grassroots level. By providing a platform for student founders to present their ideas, receive mentorship, and compete, the program plays a vital role in building the next generation of business leaders in the region.
The event’s success was also supported by a panel of expert judges, including Louiza Chitour (PhD), Sheena Ganesh, and Mayank Varyani, who evaluated the startups based on their innovation, viability, and potential for impact.
About TiE Dubai
The mission of TiE is to foster entrepreneurship globally through mentoring, networking, education, funding, and incubation. TiE Dubai was inaugurated in 2003 and has since grown to over 5,000 members. The chapter organizes regular events, workshops, and mentorship programs to support entrepreneurs and catalyze the growth of the regional startup ecosystem.
Source: TiE Dubai
