- Deadline for accepting Applications: December 31st, 2014
- Workshop and Final Awards Ceremony: April 18th – 21st, 2015 in Casablanca – Morocco
The MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Startup Competition, in partnership with Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives
The Competition targets 21 countries of the Arab region, brings in more than 5,000 applications a year and engages entrepreneurs in mentorship and networking. So far, the Competition has trained 1,500 entrepreneurs and has create over 250 knowledge based jobs. It receives applications in 4 different tracks: Ideas, Startups, Social Entrepreneurship, and The Silicon Valley Program
Ideas Track
For Entrepreneurs with Innovative Ideas
Eligibility Criteria for the Ideas track
- At least two members per team
- At least one Arab national on the team
- No Working Prototype required
- No Sales
- No Registration required when applying, but winners are required to incorporate a company in one of the Arab countries in order to be able to receive their prize
- Should not have received any previous funding
- Your Ideas can be in ANY industry
Startups Track
For Legally Registered Companies
Eligibility Criteria for the Startups Track
- At least two members per team
- At least one Arab national on the team
- Working prototype, ideally with some user traction and some sales
- Generates at most $500K in annual revenues
- 0-5 years in operations
- Legally registered in one of the Arab countries
- Your Startup can be in ANY industry
Social Entrepreneurship Track
For Social Entrepreneurs
Eligibility Criteria for the Social Entrepreneurship Track
- At least two members per team
- At least one Arab national on the team
- You should have a registered social enterprise, as we are targeting “Startups” stage social enterprises (It can be for-profit or non-for-profit)
- Your core product/service needs to address a social problem targeting marginalised/disadvantaged population
- Your Social Enterprise can be in ANY industr
How to Apply?
In order to compete in the 8th Edition of the MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Startup Competition, applicants must select one track – and only 1 of the 4 available tracks: Ideas , Startups , Social Entrepreneurship , or the Global Track (Silicon Valley Program).
Prizes
Startups Track: $50K for the first winner, $15K for the second winner, and $10K for the third winner
Ideas Track: $15K for the first winner, $10K for the second winner, and $5K for the third winner
Social Entreprneurship Track: 3 winners winning $10K each
Silicon Valley Program: The selected finalist entrepreneurs will benefit from a week-long immersive program (September 2015), where entrepreneurs participated in premier conferences and took part in diverse workshop, mentorship, and pitching sessions with experts, industry leaders, investors, members of the Diaspora community, and other successful entrepreneurs.
Best Woman Entrepreneur: A special prize for the “Best Woman Entrepreneur” will be awarded to a woman entrepreneur from one of the Ideas/Startups/Social Entrepreneurship Tracks.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Startup Competition