Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy Invites Registrations for the App Olympics by November 13, 2024 The App Olympics will offer a prize fund that includes $150,000 to develop their app and build their business in Dubai.
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The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has launched the second edition of the App Olympics, part of the Create Apps in Dubai initiative launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in March 2023.
Registration for the App Olympics is open from October 13 to November 13, 2024, on the App Olympics website.
Overseen by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under Dubai Chambers, the App Olympics is the first out of many initiatives under Create Apps in Dubai, and it seeks to attract and train applicants from around the world offering live online workshops, mentorship sessions, and resources focused on app development, prototyping, and pitch deck creation.
The App Olympics competition, designed to provide equal footing for both seasoned developers and newcomers, fosters a global learning environment that encourages participants to compete, collaborate, and grow. Last year's edition saw more than 1,100 participants apply for 64 countries, and this year the competition is looking at doubling the number of participants and participating countries.
Open to entrants of any age from anywhere around the world, the App Olympics features four awards categories: Best Youth App, Most Impactful App, Most Innovative App, and Industry of the Year – Mobile Gaming. A special category has been created for the mobile gaming sector in this year's edition in line with the goals of the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, which aims to position Dubai among the top 10 global hubs for the gaming sector.
The App Olympics offers financial rewards, in addition to a prize featuring a package of services worth USD$150,000 to develop their app and establish their mobile app business in Dubai, and participation in a six-month mentorship programme after the end of the competition. Winners in each category will benefit from a media support package, as well as access to the network of partners and participants in the App Olympics.
Key initiatives include the App Olympics Ambassador Program, which engages past finalist teams to expand the programme's global outreach, and the 'Why Dubai?' hub, which seeks to strengthen Dubai's position as a leading global hub for tech and mobile app development. This innovative section features specialised reports on the digital economy ecosystem in Dubai, together with the success stories of application development projects in the emirate.
The App Olympics also features a dedicated platform through which participants can access 100 bite-sized learning modules, comprehension quizzes, weekly community check-ins, live masterclasses and mentorship sessions- all of which are designed to equip them with the tools needed to develop prototypes, improve pitch decks, and create the business canvases required to qualify for the semifinals.
In addition, this edition introduced the Olympian Mindset program—a series of four workshops to all participants that supports innovative thinking and growth mindset.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, said the App Olympics is one among a series of initiatives aimed at realizing the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to strengthen the emirate's position as a global hub for advanced technologies and digital innovation. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the importance of inspiring the brightest minds to develop groundbreaking solutions that contribute to building a better future for all of humanity.
Indeed, another initiative under the Create Apps movement is the Emirati Training Academy which seeks to train over 1,000 Emiratis on the fundamentals of coding, building mobile applications, and business creation models. It also aims to triple the number of app developers in Dubai by 2025 and support 100 new national projects for the development of cutting-edge mobile applications.
One of the most future-ready cities in the world, Dubai is leading the global adoption of cutting-edge technologies, optimising their application across all sectors while building world-class infrastructure. These efforts, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan said, have positioned Dubai among the world's top cities in shaping tech-based industries, creating a model for an economy driven by strategic investments in advanced technologies. He added, "Building on Dubai's remarkable achievements, particularly in the digital economy, we are continuing to position the emirate at the forefront of future-oriented innovation. The digital economy is a key pillar of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and we call on all stakeholders to capitalize on opportunities to drive sustainable growth and prosperity."
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan further said the significant global interest in the App Olympics highlights Dubai's critical role in fostering innovation and accelerating digital transformation. He remarked that Dubai serves as a platform for showcasing and sharing innovative ideas globally, setting the stage for them to spread and shape emerging trends. This highlights Dubai's pivotal role in driving global digital transformation by acting as an incubator for technology ideas that have the potential to redefine various sectors, he added.
Related: Dubai Chamber Of Digital Economy Releases A Free Guide For Entrepreneurs Who Want To Launch Businesses In Dubai
His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications and Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, stated that the App Olympics, launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has garnered significant worldwide interest. By attracting leading talent and innovators, the initiative will consolidate Dubai's position at the forefront of the fast-growing global technology sector.
His Excellency added that the App Olympics reflects the leadership's commitment to reinforcing Dubai's status as a leading global digital economy hub and a premier destination for entrepreneurs in app development. The initiative also plays a key role in supporting the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, he said.
The announcement was made at Expand North Star, the world's largest gathering of startups and investors, being hosted by the Chamber at Dubai Harbour from October 13-16, 2024. The event was graced by the presence of H.E. Alia Abdulla Al Mazrouei, the UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs.
The second edition of the App Olympics was launched in tandem with two panel discussions.
Panel 1: AI & FUTURE OF LIVING explored the synergy between mobile apps, AI, and human connectivity, with industry leaders from Talabat, CAFU, Amazon Web Services, and Boss Bunny sharing their insights.
Panel 2: Tech Champions: Lessons from App Olympics Winners, highlighted experiences and lessons from the four winning teams of last year's competition, and founder of Emudy, Bareeq, The Intern, Takeem
Registration for the App Olympics is open from October 13, to November 13, 2024, on the App Olympics website.
Related: Dubai Chamber Of Digital Economy Launches The App Olympics To Advance Dubai's Digital Ecosystem
