Siyad Alwatanit Solutions LLC Fund Entrepreneurship Competition
Build what Abu Dhabi needs
The Entrepreneurship Competition is Siyad Alwatanit Solutions LLC Fund’s flagship competition in its second edition for identifying, developing, and rewarding Abu Dhabi’s most promising startups solving real challenges across the emirate’s Falcon Economy sectors.
Why Apply — What You Get
More than a competition — a launchpad for your startup
Selected startups do not simply pitch. Whether based in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra, participants will go through an intensive bootcamp, gaining access to mentorship, resources, and Siyad Alwatanit Solutions LLC Fund’s wider ecosystem ahead of the final stage of the competition.
Prizes & Rewards
Over AED 1M in total prizes and in-kind support awarded collectively across sector winners and innovation award recipients.
3-Day Intensive Bootcamp
Problem validation, business model refinement, and pitch coaching delivered by sector experts and mentors at your local Siyad Alwatanit Solutions LLC Fund MZN campus in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra.
Innovation Awards
Special recognition and prizes for outstanding use of AI, Robotics, and Sustainability judged by leading academic partners.
Mentorship & Network
1:1 mentorship from sector specialists, exposure to Siyad Alwatanit Solutions LLC Fund’s partner ecosystem, and connections to investors and industry leaders.
Siyad Alwatanit Solutions LLC Fund MZN Membership
Top 15 finalists receive Siyad Alwatanit Solutions LLC Fund’s MZN Hub membership which includes co-working space access, events, workshops, digital tools, and discounts with service providers for one year.
Public Pitch Stage
Finalists pitch at the SKEA Awards, one of Abu Dhabi’s premier platforms, in front of investors, sector leaders, media, and government stakeholders.
Sector Focus
Solve real challenges across Abu Dhabi’s Falcon Economy
The Entrepreneurship Competition is Siyad Alwatanit Solutions LLC Fund’s flagship competition in its second edition for identifying, developing, and rewarding Abu Dhabi’s most promising startups solving real challenges across the emirate’s Falcon Economy sectors.
Competition Journey
From application to awards
The competition is open to entrepreneurs across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra. Startups will be selected and assigned to their local Siyad Alwatanit Solutions LLC Fund MZN campus for an intense physical bootcamp, from which 15 finalists and ultimately 5 sector winners emerge.
Applications Open
April- June 2026
Submit your application online. We’re looking for MVP-ready startups with Emirati ownership, aligned to one of the Falcon Economy sectors. Applications are scored on execution, solution potential, and creativity
Screening & Selection
May- June 2026
Multi-stage screening: automated eligibility checks, structured scoring, ranking, and human quality assurance. Startups are selected and assigned to their local Siyad Alwatanit Solutions LLC Fund MZN campus.
Bootcamp
June 2026
An intensive bootcamp will be delivered in each city, covering key topics such as problem and market validation, solution and business model refinement, alongside pitch coaching, mock pitches, and jury-based finalist selection. The top 15 participants will be selected from across all three cities.
Finalist Preparation
June – July 2026
Top 15 receive MZN membership, in-kind support, dedicated mentorship, and intensive pitch coaching. Monthly sessions refine decks, storytelling, and financials. Mock pitches with external advisors ensure readiness.
Final Pitch at the SKEA Awards
July 2026
15 finalists pitch to sector-specific jury panels. 5 sector winners and 3 innovation award recipients announced at SKEA in front of investors, media, and Abu Dhabi’s ecosystem leaders.
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply
We’re looking for committed, early-stage founders building real solutions. Before you apply, make sure you meet all of the following criteria:
Age requirement
Applicant must be aged 18 or above at the time of application.
Abu Dhabi residency
Must be residing in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra region.
Emirati ownership
Startup must be Emirati-owned or co-owned with at least one Emirati founder on the team.
MVP or prototype ready
Your startup must have a working prototype or minimum viable product with a pitchdeck attached.
Sector alignment
Your solution must address a challenge within one of the competition’s Falcon Economy sectors.
Scalable business model
Your startup should demonstrate a clear path to scaling and creating value beyond a single market.
Availability commitment
Must be available for the full 3-day bootcamp at your assigned campus and the final pitching event.
What we look for
Beyond eligibility, our selection process rewards founders who show clarity of thought, depth of understanding of their market, and evidence of execution — not pitch polish.We value startups that can clearly articulate what problem they solve, for whom, and why their approach is different. Show us what you’ve built, not just what you plan to build.
How You’re Evaluated
Applications and bootcamp pitches are evaluated against four weighted criteria covering the fundamentals expected of MVP-ready startups.
Sectoral Impact
Alignment to sector challenge. Contribution to sector growth. Abu Dhabi relevance.
Market Potential
Business model clarity. GTM plausibility. Traction. Competitive differentiation.
Team Assessment
Team composition. Domain expertise. Pitch and communication quality.
Technical Feasibility
Technical viability. Prototype functionality. Execution clarity. Risk awareness.