Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy Launches App Olympics to Boost Tech Innovation

Photo: Government of Dubai Media Office

The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has officially launched the App Olympics, a pivotal initiative designed to nurture tech innovation and reinforce Dubai’s status as a global hub for advanced technologies. This announcement was made during the Expand North Star event, which is recognized as the world's largest gathering of startups and investors, taking place at Dubai Harbour from October 13 to 16.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, emphasized that the App Olympics is a key component of several initiatives aimed at realizing the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE. This vision seeks to strengthen Dubai’s competitive edge in the realm of technology and digital innovation.

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In his address, Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the importance of inspiring brilliant minds to develop groundbreaking solutions that contribute to a better future for all of humanity. He stated, “Building on Dubai’s remarkable achievements, particularly in the digital economy, we are continuing to position the emirate at the forefront of future-oriented innovation.”

Sheikh Hamdan pointed out that Dubai has emerged as one of the most future-ready cities globally, actively leading the adoption of cutting-edge technologies across all sectors while also establishing world-class infrastructure. These advancements have positioned Dubai among the top cities shaping tech-based industries and fostering an economy driven by strategic investments in advanced technologies.

The Crown Prince noted that the App Olympics reflects Dubai’s commitment to enhancing its digital economy, a critical pillar of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. He called upon all stakeholders to leverage opportunities that promote sustainable growth and prosperity in the region.

The App Olympics has generated significant interest on a global scale, attracting innovators and talented individuals from around the world. His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, remarked that the initiative aligns with Dubai’s goal of establishing itself as a leading destination for app development.

The App Olympics is open to entrants of all ages, featuring four award categories: Best Youth App, Most Impactful App, Most Innovative App, and Industry of the Year – Mobile Gaming. A special emphasis on mobile gaming has been included this year, in accordance with the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, which aspires to position Dubai among the top ten global hubs for the gaming sector.

Participants in the App Olympics will have the opportunity to win financial rewards, along with a package of digital services valued at $150,000 to further develop their winning apps. Additionally, winners will participate in a six-month mentorship program designed to support their growth in the tech field. Each category winner will also receive a media support package and access to a network of partners and participants in the competition.

Key initiatives accompanying the App Olympics include the App Olympics Ambassador Program, which engages past finalists to broaden the program's global outreach, and the “Why Dubai?” hub, aimed at reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leader in tech and mobile app development. This hub will feature specialized reports on Dubai’s digital economy ecosystem, success stories in application development, and provide participants with access to valuable resources such as bite-sized learning modules, community check-ins, live webinars, and interactive masterclasses.

Furthermore, an online training program named “Olympian Mindset” will be available to all participants, helping them cultivate innovative thinking and develop prototypes for their applications.

The App Olympics is part of the broader ‘Create Apps in Dubai’ initiative, launched by Sheikh Hamdan in March 2023. This initiative aims to train over 1,000 Emiratis in coding, mobile application development, and business creation models through the Emirati Training Academy. The overarching goal is to triple the number of app developers in Dubai by 2025 and support the creation of 100 new national projects focused on cutting-edge mobile applications.