The Create Apps Championship returns for its third edition, offering over AED 2.5 million in funding
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has highlighted Dubai’s rise as a global hub for digital transformation, attributing the emirate’s progress to the bold vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
Sheikh Hamdan emphasised that Dubai’s path to sustainable growth and prosperity is guided by a focus on nurturing talent capable of addressing future needs and developing pioneering solutions.
His remarks came during the launch of the third edition of the ‘Create Apps Championship’, led by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, under the Create Apps in Dubai initiative. Since its inception in 2023, the initiative has attracted over 5,800 applications and facilitated the development and market launch of more than 55 smart applications, establishing itself as a vital platform for empowering tech talent and strengthening Dubai’s digital economy.
“Dubai continues to advance as a leader in innovation, developing pioneering solutions that drive its digital transformation journey,” Sheikh Hamdan said. “These initiatives embody the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to position Dubai as the global capital of the digital economy. By fostering a world-class innovation ecosystem that empowers talent and inspires creativity, we are accelerating the development of future-focused solutions and advancing the ambitious objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”
He added that Dubai is setting inspiring examples globally by creating an environment that attracts and empowers talent, underpinned by world-class infrastructure and agile legal frameworks, reinforcing the emirate’s status as a destination for business, investment, and innovation.
Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, noted that the championship, guided by Sheikh Hamdan’s directives, has become a world-leading platform celebrating creativity and technological innovation, attracting exceptional talent from across the globe.
This year, the competition introduces the ‘Longevity App of the Year’ category, recognising applications that enhance wellbeing and sustainable health through innovations in fitness, wellness, and lifestyle. The third edition also launches the Alumni Accelerator Programme, designed to support high-potential teams in completing their projects and bringing an additional 50 applications to market.
Participants will benefit from a dedicated hub providing tailored training, mentorship, and expert guidance, while being introduced to best practices to accelerate the growth of their projects.
The championship features four main categories:
- Best Youth App
- Most Impactful App
- Most Innovative App
- Longevity App of the Year
The competition offers funding packages exceeding AED 2.5 million. Winners in three categories will each receive over AED 550,000, while the ‘App of the Year’ winner, selected through public voting, will be awarded AED 1 million to support development and market launch.
Registrations for the third edition of the Create Apps Championship are now open.
