Dubai Forum Fuels Creative Startups with Bold Vision

Dubai’s creative spirit shone brightly as the third edition of the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum concluded at Al Khayat Avenue, marking another milestone in the city’s drive to empower innovation and cultural enterprise.

Organised by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the two-day event brought together a vibrant mix of entrepreneurs, investors, and creative professionals for an immersive experience of workshops, panel talks, and networking sessions. The forum stood as a dynamic showcase of Dubai’s thriving creative economy and its growing influence across industries.

At the heart of the event was the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition, a highlight that recognised exceptional homegrown startups. Hamad Khoory, founder of Bedaoius, a digital gaming venture inspired by Emirati heritage, clinched the top prize of AED 80,000. Sofia Khmelidze, founder of ArtDep, which curates cultural experiences and art events, secured second place and AED 50,000, while Nizar Ahmadi, CEO of MADE, a UAE-based talent platform, took third place and AED 30,000.

Seven promising startups were shortlisted to pitch before an expert panel that included leaders from Dubai Sports Council, AW Rostamani, Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund, and Rite. Judges evaluated the entries for creativity, sustainability, market potential, and cultural impact—focusing on how each idea could contribute to the creative economy and create new job opportunities.

The forum’s sessions sparked deep conversations around the future of creativity. Mohamed Saeed Harib, Chairman of Lammtara Art Production, opened the event with a keynote titled ‘Animating the Future’, exploring how storytelling and collaboration can reshape creative industries. Another crowd favorite was the fireside talk ‘Co-Creating Tomorrow: Writing the Human Story with AI’ between Mo Gawdat and Omar Butti, reflecting on the human edge of imagination in an AI-driven world.

Other notable moments included ‘Beyond a Star’ featuring Chef Mohamad Orfali, who shared insights on balancing authenticity with success, and a rich lineup of skill-building workshops such as ‘Rock Your Profile’ by LinkedIn, ‘Empathetic Entrepreneurship Thinking’ by DIDI, and ‘Unlocking IP for Creatives’ by Dubai Economy and Tourism.

The winners didn’t just walk away with cash prizes — they also received a growth-focused reward package from partners including Oraseya Capital, In5, LinkedIn, Zoho, TiE Dubai, and Letswork, offering mentorship, workspace access, and investment opportunities to help scale their ventures.

Supported by an extensive network of partners — from Entrepreneur Middle East to Al Khayat Avenue and Innov8 Incubator — the forum reinforced Dubai’s commitment to building a robust ecosystem where creative talent and business innovation thrive side by side.

As the event concluded, the energy and ambition of Dubai’s creative community stood out — bold, forward-thinking, and ready to redefine what’s next for the region’s cultural economy.