Arab Technology Business Plan Competition

Arab Sceince and Technology Foundationan is an independent, NGO with regional and international outreach. Scientists and researchers from inside and outside the Arab world have contributed to its establishment. Based in Sharjah, UAE, was concieved during the symposium on "Scientific Research Outlook in the Arab world and the New Millennium: Science and Technology" organized by the University of Sharjah during 24-26 April 2000.

This year ASTF started two flagship competition of our interest:

1st Arab Technology Business Plan Competition(ATBPC)
1st Arab Universities Technology Business Plan Competition

Another very good initiative and is under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE, Ruler of Sharjah. ATBPC finalists were announced in March. The five finalists were selected to present their start-up business plans to investors at the Fourth Forum on Investing in Technology in Kuwait City held on April 10 and 11, 2006. The winning entry went on to bag an investment of at least US$50,000 to initiate the venture, while winners in the second and third places were also putforward for investment capital from the Arab Technology Ventures Seed Capital Fund.

ASTF's ATBPC has support of a diverse regional network of partners such as the National Technology Enterprises from Kuwait, Princess Sumaya National Entrepreneurship Competition and Young Entrepreneurs Association in Jordan, Technology Development Fund Business Plan Competition and IDEAVELOPERS in Egypt, Syrian Young Entrepreneurs Association in Syria, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) from Bahrain, Fonds Sindibad from Morocco, and de l'Institut Arabe des Chefs d'Entreprises from Tunisia.

So guys I can see money here for all you young guns out there with great ideas. But just a suggestion, from my personal experience gained by participation in and reaching upto final round in a similar business plan, more than the idea focus on the management team. If the judges will hand you the prize money they would want to know how will you make it work. So these are not academic competitions where you walk away with a laptop prize but a higher creed which help you walk the distance from books to practical life.