The Entrepreneurial Nation

SkillUp

Whether you are a student, a fresh graduate or even a working professional, the SkillUp academy is here to nurture you at every step of the way and inculcate long-term entrepreneurial culture in the UAE. The programmes under SkillUp academy will focus on creating enriching and engaging learning journeys by providing you with the relevant resources to explore and compete within an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

SkillUp Start: develop your entrepreneurship skills and mind-set to start your business and embark on your entrepreneurial journey

SkillUp Compete: compete with like-minded people to develop an entrepreneurial mind-set, come up with your next business idea or improve your business

SkillUp Experience: immerse yourself in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and experience what it feels to be an entrepreneur through exposure to different parts of the ecosystem

SkillUp Enable: Empower yourself to improve your business and reach customers in an optimal way.

Start

Trains different segments of the UAE population on entrepreneurship skills and mind-set to start their businesses and embark on their entrepreneurial journey.

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SkillUp Start

The Entrepreneurial Nation, an initiative by The UAE Ministry of Economy, is proud to announce the launch of SkillUp Start in partnership with BizWorld UAE. SkillUp Start is an education programme to help students become entrepreneurs and think like one. The programme is designed to train applicants in critical skills like financial literacy, leadership, creativity, and teamwork, among others.

The Program is available in both languages; Arabic, and English.

For Students and Parents:

What you get:

A fun competition to learn about how to start and operate your own business.
Understanding entrepreneurship, financial management, marketing and advertising, product development, research and sales.
An opportunity to win a trip to Silicon Valley.
An opportunity to pitch in front of world-class entrepreneurs and investors.
Certificate of completion for those who complete the full 6 week training program

How it works:

Team of students (3 - 6 students) can apply to the competition with a mentor or teacher
Students have access to BizWorld content and supporting documents online
Students have access to Weekly Q&A Sessions
All teams submit a video pitch and a full application form
10 top teams will be selected to Pitch to a judging panel
1 team will be selected to win an experiential trip to Silicon Valley during the summer of 2022
1 team will be selected for the People's Choice Award via online voting for the best team based on their video pitch
Students to submit final Presentation on May 21^st, 2022

Young Entrepreneur Award

One-week trip to include campus visits at: Google, Draper University and other leading companies.
Workshop will be conducted at Draper University with leaders in the field.
Excursions in Silicon Valley.

People's Choice Award

The winning team will a special people's choice award

Eligibility

Students studying in the UAE between grades 8-12
(3-6) team members (the applicant plus 2-5)
Reference from a mentor/teacher/industry expert.
Business model canvas
Video pitch

Judging criteria

Clear articulation of problem statement and business idea solution
Clear target audience and geographic target
Scalability
Feasibility
Creativity and originality
Understanding of funding requirements
Presentation skills
Teamwork and effort

Registrations are now closed!

On-Demand Content

Timetable

Date	Session	Meeting Link
Mar 24^th, 2022 Online	Q&A session
Apr 14^th, 2022 Online	Q&A session	https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87115684100?pwd=c3RxNUhkUWFLam8wMEtHN2ZoTCtwUT09
Apr 28^th, 2022 Online	Q&A session	https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81968299144?pwd=YzdKSzlWNTBZMStnWEVxazQrMlF2Zz09
May 11^th, 2022 Online	Presentation Skills session	https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87612924299?pwd=cmtrUExmUVpFcmVMUTFiemM3VWxlQT09
May 19^th, 2022 Online	Q&A session	https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82719206689?pwd=bEpuem5nZjV4ZklDSlFHN2VrY2orQT09
May 21^st, 2022	Submission deadline
May 28^th, 2022 Online	Final pitch presentation demo day	Pending final platform choice and event management details
June 4^th, 2022 Online	Winners announcement

Through SkillUp Compete with MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab the SkillUp Academy organises a UAE Students and recent graduates Competition. The competition aims to find the best and innovative university students and recent graduates, strategically located in the UAE, to join a global ecosystem.

What you get:

Equity free cash prizes per winning team once your business is incorporated.
Business setup and registration support.
Office space.
Fast-tracking to an industry-leading accelerator program.
Mentorship and introduction global market potential and capital through a network of strategic partners.
Media exposure and recognition.

Eligibility

UAE-based university student or recent graduate (graduated in 2016 or later).
At least two team members (the applicant plus one) or one member with a recommendation from a mentor/professor/industry expert.
Validated business model canvas with a clear plan to grow.

For your inquiries, please visit our FAQ section

*Terms & conditions

Applications are now closed

Coming Soon

SkillUp Embark with Google

A program specially designed for business owners to improve their digital presence and provide them with the tools they need to start selling online.

What’s in the program:

Online training in small groups.
Personal digital mentoring.
Practical training.
Branding .

Applications are now closed

Boost with Facebook

A workshop designed to equip small and medium businesses (SMBs) with the digital skills they need to grow their business online.

Focus:

Educate businesses on how to hone their digital skills.
Shed light on some of the stories these businesses can keep in mind to get inspired.
Share valuable insights for these SMBs to drive their business forward.

Eligibility:

Any business looking to learn more about Facebook’s platforms and tools.

Join us now