Looking for small businesses with big ideas
Etisalat UAE, branded etisalat by e&, has invited ideators (inventors) and start-ups to pitch their next big business idea at the third edition of the ‘Hello Business Pitch’ competition, reports the Khaleej Times. The winner could take home Dh350,000 (Emirati Dirhams), which roughly equates to €91,000.
After two successful series of the Hello Business Pitch competition, this year’s edition is open to aspiring start-ups who have been in operation for up to 3 years and to inventors who have novel disruptive ideas – or indeed ideas that provide continuity that work in harmony with existing business systems. All that they must have in common is the need for the capital to kickstart the business.
This year, a total of six winners will be announced, whereby three ‘disruptive’ ideators and three ambitious start-ups will walk away with cash prizes worth Dh350,000.
Registration for entries has already begun and it is open for a limited period only. Interested participants can register for Pitch 3 and they will be notified if they got shortlisted by a jury panel consisting of subject matter experts who are joining the competition from a huge range of industries and verticals. Tourism is in need of new ideas. As indeed is the energy industry. The great thing about any health service inventions is that they will find ready export markets, according to the organisers.
“We’ve always believed in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses as they make a difference in our society through their pioneering and innovative business ideas,” said Esam Mahmoud, senior vice president for SMB sales and marketing at etisalat by e&. “This competition has become the bridge that enables their growth to the next level while we stay committed to the aspirations of the UAE leadership to be a leading sustainable knowledge-based and innovative hub globally.”
This year, the competition comes with an exciting twist as etisalat by e& opens the doors for a wider community of entrepreneurs to pitch their new ideas, said Mahmoud.