The Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation (MBRCGI), in collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF), has announced the winners of the sixth edition of its Pitch @ GOV programme. This year’s competition, held in partnership with UAE University, challenged students across the nation to develop solutions under the theme “Renewable Energy for a Better Life,” awarding four winning projects a total of AED 200,000.
Spotlight On The Winning Innovations
More than 100 innovative ideas were submitted, with four standout projects selected for their potential to drive sustainability.
First place was awarded to “Ghaf” from Khalifa University. The project is a digital application designed to incentivize low-carbon lifestyles for individuals and businesses through a rewards-based points system.
“Tyredo,” a project from the Higher Colleges of Technology, secured second place. This innovative solution aims to transform used car tyres into smart roads that can generate clean energy using piezoelectric materials, aligning with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.
The third-place prize went to the “Sustainable Student Swap” platform from UAE University. The AI-powered application enables students to exchange items and supplies through an incentive-based points system, promoting a circular economy on campus.
Finally, “Oil Skimmer” from the Higher Colleges of Technology won fourth place. The project is an intelligent system designed to safely and sustainably recover oil spills from marine environments to protect ecosystems.
Fostering A New Generation Of Innovators
Government officials praised the initiative for its role in empowering the next generation to tackle global challenges.
Her Excellency Huda Al Hashimi, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Affairs, stated that the programme marked a new phase in empowering youth to design future-ready solutions. “The sixth edition featured nominated innovations and practical models that support the government’s clean and sustainable energy priorities, reflecting the UAE Government’s commitment to embedding innovation as a working methodology to develop effective solutions to global challenges,” she noted.
H.E. Fatima Yousef Al Naqbi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services at the Ministry of Finance, added, “This programme reflects the strong potential of Emirati youth and underscores the UAE’s success in fostering an enabling environment for innovation and future-focused thinking.”
Unprecedented Support For Student Ideas
This edition of Pitch @ GOV provided the highest level of financial support since the programme’s inception. The AED 200,000 prize pool was distributed with AED 80,000 for first place, AED 60,000 for second, AED 40,000 for third, and AED 20,000 for fourth. In addition to the funding, the winning teams will receive the opportunity to join the MBRIF Accelerator Programme to further develop their projects.
Professor Dr Ahmed Alraeesi, Vice Chancellor of the UAE University, commented on the challenge, stating it “represents an enabling platform to stimulate creativity and channel it into practical solutions that support the UAE’s sustainability journey.”
About Pitch @ GOV
Pitch @ GOV is an initiative by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Government Innovation designed to connect government entities with innovators to solve pressing challenges. Since its inception, the programme has attracted over 1,000 participants and hosted more than 100 pitch presentations. MBRCGI’s methodology is built on three pillars: enabling innovation through knowledge, incubating innovative initiatives, and providing platforms to amplify government capabilities, all aligning with the “We the UAE 2031” vision.
Source: Zawya
