- What
- Cash prizes of AED 80,000 / 50,000 / 30,000 for the top three (2025 edition).
- Who
- UAE-based cultural and creative startups less than two years old.
Checked · October 2026 · dubaiculture.gov.ae/en/events/Al-Quoz-Creative-E · How we check ↗
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Open the map →In detail
Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition (Dubai Culture) is a government startup competition (cash prizes) in the UAE. Startup competition of Dubai Culture, held on the sidelines of the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum at the Al Quoz Creative Zone, Dubai, for UAE-based founders in the cultural and creative industries — from advertising, architecture and design to film, music, e-gaming, heritage, visual and culinary arts. The third edition (2025) paid cash prizes of AED 80,000, 50,000 and 30,000 to the top three, with additional rewards from event collaborators; startups had to be less than two years old, with a functional prototype where applicable, and shortlisted founders pitched at the forum in Q4 2025. Applications for that edition closed on 30 June 2025; Dubai Culture's site shows no 2026 call.
- Amount
- Cash prizes AED 80,000 / 50,000 / 30,000 for the top three (2025 edition)
- Terms
- No equity — cash prizes
- Eligibility
- UAE-based entrepreneurs only
- early-stage startups less than two years old, with a functional prototype where applicable
- active in the cultural and creative industries
- Sectors
- Advertising and marketing
- architecture and design
- broadcasting
- handicrafts and arts
- film and animation
- music
- performing arts
- publishing
- e-gaming
- heritage
- photography and content production
- visual arts
- culinary arts
- Benefits
- Pitch at the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum · additional rewards from event collaborators
- Status
- Closed — 2025 edition applications closed 30 June 2025; no 2026 call on Dubai Culture’s site (checked October 2026)
What the source says
“Dubai Culture has also announced the open call for the third edition of the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition, which will take place on the sidelines of the forum.”
“Dubai Culture is organising the third Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum, scheduled for Q4 2025 at the Al Quoz Creative Zone.”
“The first-place recipient will receive a cash prize of AED 80,000, the second AED 50,000, and the third AED 30,000. Event collaborators will give out additional rewards.”
“The competition targets early-stage startups less than two years old, with a functional prototype where applicable. Only UAE-based entrepreneurs are eligible and must provide supporting materials for their business as part of the application process.”
“Applicants must be actively engaged in the CCIs, including sectors such as: • Advertising and marketing • Architecture, urban planning, and interior design • Broadcasting (television and radio) • Handicrafts, arts, and antiques • Graphic, industrial, product, fashion, and digital design • Film, cinema, and animation • Music (production, publishing, performance) • Performing arts (theatre, dance, opera) • Literature, publishing, e-publishing • E-gaming • Heritage (museums, libraries, archaeology) • Photography, film, podcasting, and content production • Visual arts (painting, sculpture, installation, street art, graffiti) • Culinary arts, gastronomy, and food culture”
“Shortlisted applicants will be invited to pitch at the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum in Q4 2025.”
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| Cost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition (Dubai Culture)Cash prizes of AED 80,000 / 50,000 / 30,000 for the top three (2025 edition). | AED 80,000 | No equity | Closed |
| Expo City Dubai Foundation — Changemakers AcademyGrants up to AED 50,000 plus incubation for idea-stage impact founders. | up to AED 50,000 | Grant | Closed |
| TiE Women MENAPitch competition with US$50,000 in equity-free cash prizes. | US$50,000 | No equity | Active |
| Zayed Sustainability PrizeNon-dilutive prize: US$1M per category winner, US$100K per finalist. | US$1M | No equity | Closed |
| FoodTech Challenge (UAE)Global food-tech competition; the third edition offered $2m in cash, winners selected. | $2m | No equity | Closed |
| MBZUAI Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC)AI startup incubator at MBZUAI with a grant for early-stage development. | not published | Grant | Active |
Highest amount in each programme’s own “What” line. Other currencies converted for sorting only (Gulf pegs; KWD, EUR, GBP approximate).
More programmes that take no equity →
Questions founders ask
What does Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition (Dubai Culture) offer?
Cash prizes of AED 80,000 / 50,000 / 30,000 for the top three (2025 edition).
Does Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition (Dubai Culture) take equity?
No equity — cash prize.
Is it open now?
No — it is currently closed. The status on this page follows the programme’s own site.
How do I apply?
No application form is published. Its website is the way in.
Sources
Primary source · dubaiculture.gov.ae/en/events/Al-Quoz-Creative-Entrepreneurship-Compet · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/dubai-culture-&-arts-authorit · Checked October 2026