Latest news with #YousufCaires
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Expo City Dubai's Changemakers Academy awards 10 aspiring UAE entrepreneurs with support to turn bold ideas into impact
Solutions tackle community issues spanning sustainability, mobility and mental health Academy empowers UAE youth, spurring innovation and social and economic growth DUBAI – Projects tackling mental health, traffic congestion, sustainable food and accessible design are among 10 purpose-driven solutions awarded grants and support as part of Expo City Dubai Foundation's Changemakers Academy – the city's incubator to empower aspiring entrepreneurs to drive social, environmental and economic impact. A shortlist of 16 teams from universities across the UAE presented their ideas to an expert panel of judges at a live pitching event on Wednesday. The successful projects include an AI-powered tool for monitoring mangroves, a smart, recyclable exhaust filter that reduces emissions in older vehicles, and a wearable device to assist blind people with spatial awareness. Each will receive a grant of up to AED 50,000, a business licence and workspace at Expo City. Part of Expo City Dubai's wider business ecosystem, they will also have access to mentorship and support, helping transform their solutions into commercially viable businesses that drive positive change in the UAE community. Yousuf Caires, Executive Director, Expo City Dubai Foundation, said: 'We're inspired by the creativity and commitment of these changemakers, whose solutions have real potential to improve the lives of people in our communities. At Expo City Dubai Foundation, we recognise that transformative ideas require an entire ecosystem to thrive, which is why we're building a dynamic environment where these bright minds can collaborate, access resources and ultimately turn their boldest visions into tangible projects that benefit both society and our environment.' Launched in February, the Changemakers Academy incentivises creative problem-solving, channelling the passion and ingenuity of young entrepreneurs to unearth impactful solutions across priority areas, chosen in consultation with Dubai's Community Development Authority (CDA), aligning with the UAE's Year of Community and reinforcing Expo City's commitment to inspiring the next generation. Mohammed Al Mheiri, Director of the Social Regulations Department at the Community Development Authority, said: 'We are proud to support the Expo City Dubai Foundation and its Changemakers Academy. This initiative exemplifies the power of cross-sector collaboration, bringing together government, academia, the private sector and civil society with a unified purpose: to address a range of societal needs and build a more sustainable and inclusive future. All candidates demonstrated authenticity, ownership and creativity, and we look forward to seeing how these promising teams of young entrepreneurs transform their ideas into meaningful social change with lasting, positive impact.' The Changemakers Academy is part of Expo City Dubai Foundation, which aims to bridge the gap between people, ideas and resources by actively supporting social enterprises and problem-solvers to find, grow and scale innovative solutions to our most pressing challenges. It received 148 applications from youth and students across public and private universities, from which it shortlisted 49 promising ideas to take part in a structured, hands-on training and mentorship programme, including an online bootcamp to support the design and development of their innovative solutions, delivered by Lumi, an AI-enabled platform that takes participants through design-thinking quests to enhance their critical skills. The final selection is listed below: About Expo City Dubai Expo City Dubai, the legacy city of Expo 2020 Dubai, is an innovation-driven, people-centric community rooted in the belief that collaboration can propel sustainable progress. Its prime location and world-class connectivity place it at the centre of Dubai's future – the lynchpin between Dubai Exhibition Centre, Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port and a key driver of Dubai's Economic Agenda (D33) A world-class free zone, it is home to a thriving business community that supports cross-sector collaboration and provides a springboard for businesses of all sizes to scale and grow, enhancing Dubai's position as a global centre of trade and reinforcing the UAE's development and diversification ambitions Its residential communities redefine urban living, exemplifying best practice in innovative, environment-friendly design with a focus on wellbeing and happiness An incubator for innovation, it is a testbed for solutions and a platform for groundbreaking ideas that benefit both people and the planet Packed with educational, cultural and entertainment offerings, with more than 30 indoor and outdoor venues attracting globally significant events, it celebrates human creativity and ingenuity and inspires future generations Designed as a blueprint for sustainable urban living and one of five hubs on the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, its roadmap to achieving net zero by 2050 and its broader decarbonisation targets raise the bar on responsible urban development
Emirates 24/7
19-02-2025
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
Expo City Dubai Foundation launches Changemakers Academy
Expo City Dubai Foundation has launched the Changemakers Academy – an innovation and entrepreneurship incubator for young innovators that will incentivise creative problem-solving and unearth bold solutions to social and environmental challenges relevant to the UAE. With an open call for applications from final-year students and fresh graduates of UAE-based universities, the intensive, multi-stage programme supports the UAE Year of Community by inspiring and equipping the next generation to act and channelling their creativity and passion into developing real-world solutions. The Changemakers Academy offers a structured incubation journey with rigorous training and practical support, with the final selected projects receiving grants of up to AED 50,000, mentorship, investor introductions and help with business setup, including licence, visa and a workspace at Expo City Dubai. The programme represents an exceptional opportunity for ambitious young entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into commercially viable businesses. Yousuf Caires, Executive Director, Expo City Dubai Foundation, said: 'Our innovation programmes throughout Expo 2020 Dubai and COP28 have demonstrated the tremendous potential of UAE youth, which Expo City stands ready to champion as a hub for pioneers and groundbreaking solutions. The Changemakers Academy aims to incentivise the best young minds to come up with solutions to challenges that are particularly pertinent to the UAE, to nurture and develop these ideas into marketable, successful businesses and drive positive, tangible change in the community.' Priority areas were chosen in consultation with Dubai's Community Development Authority (CDA), and include opportunities to improve traffic congestion, mental wellbeing and work-life balance, as well as environmental responsibility and better inclusion for people of determination and the elderly. Students must submit their applications by end-March, after which selected projects will be invited to a 'bootcamp' to help refine their ideas. Shortlisted projects will advance to the Accelerated Incubation Programme where they will participate in AI-based design-thinking training covering ideation, prototyping, digital skills and certification. The concluding pitching sessions and final selection will take place in June 2025. The Changemakers Academy takes forward the previous Expo Live University Innovation Programme, which received more than 1,000 applications from 40-plus universities across the UAE and supported 58 student teams. It is part of the Expo City Dubai Foundation, a non-profit organisation launched in June 2024 to bridge the gap between people, ideas and resources, driving innovation and collaboration to deliver positive social, economic and environmental change. Already home to future-focused entities such as Emirates Group's ebdaa innovation hub and the Expo City Urban Lab – a city-wide testbed dedicated to piloting urban development technologies – Expo City is a haven for pioneers, entrepreneurs and innovators who believe in its mission to create a better future for people and planet, supporting sectors driving the delivery of Dubai's Economic Agenda (D33). Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Hi Dubai
19-02-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Expo City Dubai Foundation Launches Changemakers Academy to Foster Young Innovators
Expo City Dubai Foundation has unveiled the Changemakers Academy, a pioneering incubator designed to empower young innovators and entrepreneurs in the UAE. The initiative aims to drive creative problem-solving and generate impactful solutions to pressing social and environmental challenges. Open to final-year students and fresh graduates from UAE-based universities, the intensive multi-stage programme aligns with the UAE Year of Community. It seeks to channel youthful creativity into real-world applications, fostering a new generation of changemakers equipped with the skills and resources to make a difference. The Changemakers Academy offers a structured incubation journey featuring expert training, mentorship, and financial support. Selected projects will receive grants of up to AED 50,000, investor introductions, business setup assistance, including a licence and visa, and a dedicated workspace at Expo City Dubai. This initiative presents a transformative opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to turn their visionary ideas into viable businesses. Yousuf Caires, Executive Director of Expo City Dubai Foundation, emphasized the programme's significance: 'Our innovation programmes throughout Expo 2020 Dubai and COP28 have highlighted the immense potential of UAE youth. Expo City is committed to nurturing this talent, fostering groundbreaking solutions, and driving tangible, positive change in our communities.' The programme's priority areas, developed in consultation with Dubai's Community Development Authority (CDA), include traffic congestion, mental well-being, work-life balance, environmental responsibility, and enhanced inclusion for people of determination and the elderly. Applications are open until the end of March, after which selected candidates will participate in a bootcamp to refine their concepts. Shortlisted teams will progress to the Accelerated Incubation Programme, featuring AI-driven design-thinking training and digital skills certification. The final pitching sessions and project selection will conclude in June 2025. Building on the legacy of the Expo Live University Innovation Programme—which attracted over 1,000 applications from 40 universities and supported 58 student teams—the Changemakers Academy reinforces Expo City Dubai's role as a hub for future-focused innovation. With strategic initiatives like the ebdaa innovation hub and the Expo City Urban Lab, Expo City continues to support Dubai's Economic Agenda (D33) by fostering cutting-edge solutions for a better future. News Source: Dubai Media Office
Zawya
19-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Expo City Dubai Foundation launches Changemakers Academy to support aspiring young innovators
Incubator programme seeks bold solutions to social and environmental challenges Young entrepreneurs to submit innovative ideas to secure funding, strategic support Intensive training engages and empowers youth and reaffirms UAE as innovation hub DUBAI – Expo City Dubai Foundation has launched the Changemakers Academy – an innovation and entrepreneurship incubator for young innovators that will incentivise creative problem-solving and unearth bold solutions to social and environmental challenges relevant to the UAE. With an open call for applications from final-year students and fresh graduates of UAE-based universities, the intensive, multi-stage programme supports the UAE Year of Community by inspiring and equipping the next generation to act and channelling their creativity and passion into developing real-world solutions. The Changemakers Academy offers a structured incubation journey with rigorous training and practical support, with the final selected projects receiving grants of up to AED 50,000, mentorship, investor introductions and help with business setup, including licence, visa and a workspace at Expo City Dubai. The programme represents an exceptional opportunity for ambitious young entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into commercially viable businesses. Yousuf Caires, Executive Director, Expo City Dubai Foundation, said: 'Our innovation programmes throughout Expo 2020 Dubai and COP28 have demonstrated the tremendous potential of UAE youth, which Expo City stands ready to champion as a hub for pioneers and groundbreaking solutions. The Changemakers Academy aims to incentivise the best young minds to come up with solutions to challenges that are particularly pertinent to the UAE, to nurture and develop these ideas into marketable, successful businesses and drive positive, tangible change in the community.' Priority areas were chosen in consultation with Dubai's Community Development Authority (CDA), and include opportunities to improve traffic congestion, mental wellbeing and work-life balance, as well as environmental responsibility and better inclusion for people of determination and the elderly. Students must submit their applications by end-March, after which selected projects will be invited to a 'bootcamp' to help refine their ideas. Shortlisted projects will advance to the Accelerated Incubation Programme where they will participate in AI-based design-thinking training covering ideation, prototyping, digital skills and certification. The concluding pitching sessions and final selection will take place in June 2025. The Changemakers Academy takes forward the previous Expo Live University Innovation Programme, which received more than 1,000 applications from 40-plus universities across the UAE and supported 58 student teams. It is part of the Expo City Dubai Foundation, a non-profit organisation launched in June 2024 to bridge the gap between people, ideas and resources, driving innovation and collaboration to deliver positive social, economic and environmental change. Already home to future-focused entities such as Emirates Group's ebdaa innovation hub and the Expo City Urban Lab – a city-wide testbed dedicated to piloting urban development technologies – Expo City is a haven for pioneers, entrepreneurs and innovators who believe in its mission to create a better future for people and planet, supporting sectors driving the delivery of Dubai's Economic Agenda (D33). About Expo City Dubai Expo City Dubai, the legacy city of Expo 2020 Dubai, is an innovation-driven, people-centric community rooted in the belief that collaboration can propel sustainable progress. Its prime location and world-class connectivity place it at the centre of Dubai's future – the lynchpin between Dubai Exhibition Centre, Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port and a key driver of Dubai's Economic Agenda (D33) A world-class free zone, it is home to a thriving business community that supports cross-sector collaboration and provides a springboard for businesses of all sizes to scale and grow, enhancing Dubai's position as a global centre of trade and reinforcing the UAE's development and diversification ambitions Its residential communities redefine urban living, exemplifying best practice in innovative, environment-friendly design with a focus on wellbeing and happiness An incubator for innovation, it is a testbed for solutions and a platform for groundbreaking ideas that benefit both people and the planet Packed with educational, cultural and entertainment offerings, with more than 30 indoor and outdoor venues attracting globally significant events, it celebrates human creativity and ingenuity and inspires future generations Designed as a blueprint for sustainable urban living and one of five hubs on the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, its roadmap to achieving net zero by 2050 and its broader decarbonisation targets raise the bar on responsible urban development For media enquiries, please contact
