The final award ceremony of the 11th edition of the MIT EF Arab Startup Competition was held on April 19 where the MIT Enterprise Forum (MITEF) of the Pan Arab Region honored ten winning teams from seven countries.
Those of you who are not familiar with the Arab Startup Competition, it is a widely anticipated annual event designed to support and celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation in the Arab world. Among other things, the event serves as a big international platform for innovators and startups in the region to demonstrate their new ideas and business plans.
MIT EF held this year’s final award ceremony in partnership with Community Jameel. The event also had the backing of other strategic partners such as Omantel, Zain Group, and Riyada.
The results of the competition were declared at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hall 2, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, in the presence of more than 400 entrepreneurs, investors, media personnel, and other public figures from all walks of life.
The competition was segmented into three sections: Ideas Track, Startups Track, and Social Entrepreneurship Track.
The winners in the Ideas Track, Social Entrepreneurship, and Startup Track include –
Quirpod – An Egyptian based startup that develops skills of students through expert-developed content and engaging UX.
Al Khudairi for biogas technology – Another Egyptian based startup that converts waste and toxic chemical fertilizers into energy. The substance also allows the production of biomethane gas, a healthier alternative made to fill up gas cylinders,
ProvenMed International – a startup based in Tunisia, that brings a solution for restoring patients that help prevent urinary tract infections and reduce healthcare costs.
Speaking of the significance of the Arab Startup competition, Hala Fadel, Chair of the Board of MIT EF Pan Arab, said, “This event is not only a competition but an opportunity for top-tier Arab entrepreneurs to present and share their experiences in the area of innovation and the creation and nurturing of an ecosystem for innovation within Oman. Investing in Arab entrepreneurship will, in turn, contribute to the revitalization of the economy, and lead to the creation of new partnerships that can eventually transform into large institutions.”
