'Manchester Innovation Award' attracts close to 100 entrepreneurial Emiratis

The business ideas are diverse and cover manufacturing, agriculture, community and social activities, leisure and IT. Thanks to the main sponsors, the Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council, The Manchester Innovation Award is offering Dhs100,000 in prize money (1st prize - Dhs50,000; 2nd - Dhs30,000; 3rd - Dhs20,000) as well as ongoing, expert business support for the winning business innovation.

Manchester Business School is running the Manchester Innovation Award to support and encourage the development of Emirati business entrepreneurs. The deadline for submissions is 12:00 noon, 31st October 2009 and the awards will be presented at a Gala Dinner in Abu Dhabi on 15th November 2009, at the Beach Rotana Hotel, which will include an array of inspirational speakers from the UAE and the UK.

The Manchester Innovation Award is open to all Emiratis aged 20 and over, and the winner will benefit from an all-expenses study tour to Manchester Business School in the UK, a cash award and trophy, as well as ongoing support in the development of the winning business innovation idea with advice and guidance from the Business School faculty and the Manchester Enterprise Centre. In addition, the Khalifa Fund will provide funding and further support for the winning idea and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises will also offer funding and business incubation support (subject to their terms and conditions).

The business plans submitted will be judged by a panel of professors, academic directors, executives from the Khalifa Fund, Mohammed Bin Rashid Est. for Young Business Leaders and selected MBS alumni. The winner will be chosen on the basis of the innovation and creativity demonstrated by the business idea, as well as its commercial viability.

Earlier in 2009, MBS ran the Manchester Innovation Award in Asia Pacific (through the School's Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai centres), where it attracted over 350 high quality entries.

Mr Chris Higgins, Director Middle East, Manchester Business School Worldwide, said:

"The response to the Manchester Innovation Award in the UAE is very encouraging and we are delighted with the scale and quality of the response so far, especially given the short time scales. The Award is being supported by a range of very prestigious organisations and so this is a great opportunity for young Emirati business people and entrepreneurs to realise their potential and demonstrate the level of innovation in the country. There is still time to submit business proposals for consideration and so this is the final call to Emirati entrepreneurs across the UAE."

The Manchester Innovation Award in the UAE is sponsored by: Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development; Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council; Etihad Airways.

Its supporters are: Dubai International Academic City; Dubai Knowledge Village; Mohammed Bin Rashid Est for SME Development; Abu Dhabi Education Council; Higher Colleges of Technology; CERT.

Its media partners are: ArabianBusiness.com; ONETVO; Bayt.com; Rotana.