ZAKA and IEEE launch AI startup competition at Ai Everything Global
ZAKA to run early-stage AI startup pitch at Ai Everything GLOBAL
#UAE #AIStartups – Dubai’s Ai Everything GLOBAL event will host a new early-stage artificial intelligence startup competition in February 2025. Organised by regional AI knowledge platform ZAKA and IEEE Entrepreneurship, Launchpad provides exposure, mentorship, and about $40,000 worth of prizes to help AI startups launch and scale. Part of the world’s largest technical professional organisation, IEEE Entrepreneurship focuses on advancing technological innovation, helping develop ideas, facilitate connections, providing startup resources.
SO WHAT? – ZAKA aims to democratise AI in the Middle East and North Africa by sharing knowledge, building solutions, and connecting innovators. The company’s community allows corporates to accelerate hiring by tapping into a pool of top-tier talent equipped with cutting-edge AI skills and knowledge. ZAKA’s debut startup competition, Launchpad, aims to connect startups to resources, talent, and investors. The competition will bring new AI startups together at one of the world’s largest and best attended AI business events, Ai Everything GLOBAL.
Here are some key details about Launchpad:
ZAKA and IEEE Entrepreneurship have launched the Launchpad, a competition for early-stage AI startups. The competition Pitch Day will take place at Ai Everything GLOBAL in Dubai on Thursday February 6, 2025.
Launchpad’s first prize includes $20,000 in AI development services, $1,000 in free GPU access, and access to ZAKA’s AI talent network.
Second and third prizes include $10,000 and $5,000 in AI development services, respectively, alongside GPU access and talent support.
Eligible AI startups must be operational for less than 2 years, have raised no more than $100,000, and present a working prototype.
Startups must apply by January 6, 2025, with shortlisted competitors announced on January 20, 2025.
Participants will meet investors, AI experts, and potential partners while gaining global exposure at the prestigious Ai Everything GLOBAL.
ZOOM OUT – Dubai is a global startup hub with a fast-expanding ecosystem of startups, venture capital, services and programmes that is attracting entrepreneurs from all over the world. According to a recent study by the Dubai Center for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), more than 800 AI-specialised companies now operate in Dubai, with 66 per cent using the city as their global hub. Dubai’s Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence aligns AI initiatives and investments under one strategic plan, under the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).