Latest news with #EurekaGCC
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Nahyan bin Mubarak crowns Timble AI as grand winner of 4th Eureka! GCC in Dubai
Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE's Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, crowned Timble AI as the grand prize winner of the fourth edition of Eureka! GCC of one of Asia's largest business model competitions for startups. The award ceremony took place at Al Habtoor Palace Hotel in Dubai. The event was attended by Sunjay Sudhir, ambassador of India to the UAE, along with senior officials, decision-makers, regional and international investors, mentors, and a wide audience of entrepreneurs and innovation enthusiasts. This year's edition attracted over 300 applications from startups across the GCC and several global markets, including India, Jordan, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, and Pakistan. Thirty companies advanced to the semi-finals and participated in a comprehensive training programme consisting of workshops, strategic consulting sessions, and intensive courses in business modeling and investment pitching. In the final stage, the top 10 startups pitched their ideas to a distinguished judging panel. Timble AI from the UAE stood out with its innovative AI-driven business solutions, securing the top prize. Meanwhile, Electrogenos won the top award in the Sustainable Solutions category, Dreamloop AI took second place overall, and Invoice Mate received the 'Startup Nominee' recognition for excellence in public engagement and storytelling. In his keynote address, Sheikh Nahyan stated, "I am delighted to be with you today for the fourth edition of Eureka! GCC – the largest startup competition in Asia. I commend this valuable initiative by Gulf Islamic Investments (GII), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, as a vital contribution to the economic development of our region." He added: "This event is a true celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit. Our region – as those who know it can attest has long embraced initiative, risk-taking, and innovation. Historically, our people have excelled in seizing economic opportunities and achieving success with determination and confidence." He emphasised that entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of the UAE's development, stating: "The vision of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, places innovation and creativity at the heart of our progress. Entrepreneurs are key drivers of prosperity, not only in our country but across the globe." Sheikh Nahyan also noted that the UAE, under the wise leadership of Sheikh Mohamed, offers full support to entrepreneurs through funding, education policies, advanced infrastructure, advisory services, and intellectual property protection. He remarked, "We understand the importance of creating an integrated ecosystem that enables young men and women to transform their ideas into achievements. We are also committed to international collaboration – as demonstrated by this pioneering event." He continued, "I am pleased that this event is held in Dubai – a city that embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and has become a global model for business support, thanks to the visionary leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai." Sheikh Nahyan also underscored the importance of raising public awareness about entrepreneurship, calling for: 'Highlighting inspiring role models, launching awards and competitions, promoting mentorship programs, and building support networks – all to reinforce the idea that entrepreneurship is not just about profit, but about enhancing quality of life and serving communities.' Sheikh Nahayan commended Eureka! GCC for blending innovation, support, and collaboration between the public and private sectors, saying, "Through this initiative, GII has affirmed that innovation and entrepreneurship can profoundly reshape how we work, learn, and perceive institutional roles in society." He concluded with a message to the participants: "I congratulate every one of you who took part in this competition. I am impressed by your determination, global vision, constructive curiosity, and, above all, your passion for success. You represent a bright future for your countries and will serve as inspiring examples in your communities. I wish you all the best on your journey – may this competition be the launchpad to even greater achievements." Pankaj Gupta, co-founder and co-CEO of GII and the visionary behind Eureka! GCC, commented, "This year's success confirms that the region's economic future is being shaped by bold ideas and resilient founders. The competition has evolved from a recognition platform into a true regional movement – uniting decision-makers, investors, and innovators around the goal of sustainable innovation." The competition received strong backing from strategic partners, including iACCEL GBI, Crowe UAE, Headstart, Its Her Way, Encubay, Trusity, Startup Middle East, Diwan Hub, Bits Pilani, and Ecobee – all of whom provided guidance, resources, and market access opportunities for participants. As this landmark edition of Eureka! GCC comes to a close, the winners now embark on new journeys – empowered with funding, media exposure, and an expanding regional support network – joining the next wave of Gulf success stories in one of the world's most dynamic economic environments.
Zawya
15-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Eureka! GCC 2025 announces competition lineup
300+ startup registrations lead to selection of Top 30 semi-finalists in 4th edition of Eureka! GCC Finalists to compete for prizes worth $100,000 at Grand Finale, 28-29 May 2025, Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection, Dubai Dubai (UAE) – Eureka! GCC, Asia's leading business model competition, returns to Dubai this year with a bigger platform and broader ambitions to champion the Gulf's most promising startup ventures. Since its inaugural edition, Eureka! GCC has evolved steadily into a transformative force for early-stage businesses, fostering entrepreneurial growth and community-driven innovation across the region. The competition has drawn over 300 registrations from across the GCC and beyond, reflecting the region's rising entrepreneurial momentum. After a rigorous evaluation process, the Eureka! GCC team has shortlisted the Top 30 semi-finalists, spanning sectors from health-tech and fintech to sustainability, AI, and education technology. Standout ventures include Nema AI, developing AI-driven healthcare diagnostics; Payvista, offering next-generation fintech solutions for underserved markets; and Instawrap Technical Services, creating sustainable alternatives to traditional packaging. Participants this year represent a truly global mix, with startups from the GCC; UAE, KSA, Oman and from international markets such as India, Jordan, Turkey, the UK, and Pakistan. The semi-finalists receive an intensive Entrepreneurship Program, featuring hands-on workshops, speaker sessions led by industry leaders, and one-on-one mentorship. They also benefit from tailored guidance to sharpen their strategies and pitches ahead of the final stages. At the Elevator Pitch round in Dubai, the 30 semi-finalists present their ideas live before an audience of mentors and investors. The Top 10 finalists advance to the final phase of the competition, pitching their refined business models to a distinguished panel of jury members. The Grand Winners, including First Place, Second Place, and the Startup Nominee Award, will be announced during the Grand Finale's Gala Dinner, with a total prize pool of USD 100,000. Among the notable speakers engaged in this year's program are Trey Goede, CEO of WA'ED Ventures; Deepak Ahuja, CEO & Co-founder of iACCEL GBI; and Rajesh Garg, CFO of Landmark Group — all offering invaluable insights on scaling startups, fundraising strategies, and navigating the Gulf's evolving business landscape. GII's associate partners for Eureka! GCC 2025 - iACCEL GBI, Crowe UAE, Headstart, Its Her Way, Encubay, LaunchShe, Startup Middle East, Diwan Hub, Bits Pilani and Ecobee - have also been instrumental in providing mentorship, training, and investment opportunities that are shaping the region's next generation of entrepreneurs. Commenting on the 2025 edition, Pankaj Gupta, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Gulf Islamic Investments (GII) and Founder of Eureka! GCC, said: "At GII, we believe that entrepreneurship is the driving force shaping the Gulf's economic and social future. Each year, we are humbled by the boldness, ingenuity, and resilience we see among our young entrepreneurs. Their ventures are solutions to real-world challenges and catalysts for lasting impact. We are proud to stand behind this movement, alongside the visionary support of Dubai's leadership and our partners across the region." As Eureka! GCC 2025 moves toward its grand finale, the spotlight remains firmly on the ideas and individuals reshaping the Arabian Gulf's entrepreneurial future. With an expanded focus on emerging sectors and deeper mentorship engagement, this year's competition is building a dynamic, innovation-driven ecosystem across the region, encouraged by Dubai's benevolent business-led environment. About Eureka! GCC Eureka! was founded by the Entrepreneurship Cell of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, a leading worldwide technology body, and powered by Gulf Islamic Investments (GII), a leading UAE-based Shari'ah-compliant global alternative investment company with over US$3.5 billion of assets under management. Eureka! GCC aims to enable a low-risk environment to boost entrepreneurship, bridging the gap between ideas and enterprise to facilitate a seamless transition between the two. About Gulf Islamic Investments Gulf Islamic Investments Group (GII) is a leading Shari'ah-compliant global alternative investment company. With over $3.5 billion of assets under management, GII seeks to achieve superior, sustainable returns and long-term value for its investors and shareholders by investing in curated growth and income-generating opportunities. GII believes in 'innovation with a purpose' and works to build the sustainability of the ecosystem in which it operates. Under the leadership of a committed management team, supported by prominent shareholders from the Arabian Gulf region, GII deploys private capital across diverse alternative asset classes, including real estate, private equity, and venture capital. GII's client network includes UHNWIs, family offices, banks, institutions, and sovereign wealth funds in the GCC and Asia. GII is headquartered in the United Arab Emirates. Its UAE entities are regulated by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). For more information, interviews, insights, and images please contact: Dimple Menezes dimple@ Yardstick Marketing Management PO Box - 116125, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
