Khalifa Entrepreneurship Award is Khalifa Fund’s

Build what Abu Dhabi needs

The Khalifa Entrepreneurship Award is Khalifa 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.

• 3 Cities
• INTENSE Bootcamp
• 15 Finalists Pitch Live
• 5 Winners
• AED 1M+ In Prizes & In-Kind Support

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 Khalifa 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 Khalifa 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 Khalifa Fund’s partner ecosystem, and connections to investors and industry leaders.
• Khalifa Fund MZN Membership: Top 15 finalists receive Khalifa 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 Khalifa Entrepreneurship Award is Khalifa 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 your path

The competition is open to entrepreneurs across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra. More than 100 startups will be selected and assigned to their local Khalifa Fund MZN campus for a 3-day bootcamp, from which 15 finalists and ultimately 5 sector winners emerge.

 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.

Ready to build what Abu Dhabi needs?

Applications close June 5, 2026. Don’t wait — start yours today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Who can apply to the competition?

The competition is open to entrepreneurs aged 18+ who are residents of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra. Your startup must be Emirati-owned or co-owned with at least one Emirati founder. You need to have a working prototype or MVP. Your solution must align with Abu Dhabi’s Falcon Economy sectors.

Q2: Can I apply if I’m outside Abu Dhabi?

Applicants must be residing in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Al Dhafra to be eligible.

Q3: What documents are required?

Applicants should complete all required application fields and provide any requested supporting materials, such as a CV and pitch deck where applicable.

Q4: What stage does my startup need to be at?

You must have at minimum a working prototype or MVP. We want to see what you’ve built and how it works. A pitch deck is mandatory.

Q5: What are the prizes?

The competition offers over AED 1 million in total rewards, including prizes for sector winners, innovation awards for outstanding use of AI, Robotics, and Sustainability, in-kind support packages for the Top 15 finalists, and one year of MZN Hub membership. Detailed prize breakdowns will be shared with selected participants.

Q6: Is there a cost to participate?

No. The competition is entirely free to apply and participate in. There are no application fees, bootcamp charges, or any other costs.

Q7: Does Khalifa Fund take equity in my startup?

No. The competition is non-dilutive. Khalifa Fund does not take equity in any participating startup as part of this competition. All prizes and support are equity-free.

Q8: What happens during the bootcamp?

The bootcamp will focus on problem validation, product–market fit, and sector alignment, while also covering solution refinement, business model development, go-to-market strategy, and technical feasibility. It will conclude with pitch coaching, mock presentations in front of expert panels, and a jury-based finalist selection process.

Attendance throughout the full duration of the bootcamp is mandatory.

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Q9: Can I apply if I don’t have a trade license yet?

Yes. A trade license is not mandatory. However, it is considered a positive signal of maturity during scoring. Startups without a license can still be selected based on overall application strength.

Q10: Can I apply in Arabic?

The application form accepts responses in both Arabic and English. Bootcamp sessions and pitch events will be conducted primarily in English, though bilingual support will be available.

Q11: What if I’m not selected? Can I re-apply?

If you’re not selected for the 2nd Edition, you are welcome to apply to future editions. We encourage you to use feedback from this cycle to strengthen your startup and application.

Terms & Conditions

By submitting an application to the Khalifa Entrepreneurship Award — 2nd Edition (the “Competition”), you agree to the following terms and conditions.

1. Eligibility & Representations

Applicants represent and warrant that all information provided in the application is true, accurate, and complete. Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (“KFED”) reserves the right to disqualify any applicant who provides false, misleading, or incomplete information. Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria as published on this page at the time of application submission.

2. Application & Selection

Submission of an application does not guarantee selection. KFED reserves the sole and absolute discretion to accept or reject any application. The selection process, including scoring, ranking, and quota enforcement, is final and not subject to appeal. KFED may contact applicants for verification or clarification during the screening process.

3. Participation Commitment

Selected startups must confirm their participation within the stated deadline. Failure to confirm or attend the assigned bootcamp will result in forfeiture of the place, which may be offered to a waitlisted startup. Attendance at all three days of the bootcamp is mandatory. Finalists must attend the final pitch event.

4. Intellectual Property

Applicants retain full ownership of their intellectual property. Participation in the Competition does not transfer any IP rights to KFED, or any partner. However, applicants grant KFED a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use their startup name, logo, and a brief description for the purposes of competition promotion, reporting, and communications.

5. Prizes & Rewards

Prize amounts and in-kind support are indicative and subject to final approval by KFED. Cash prize disbursement is subject to KFED’s standard financial procedures and may require completion of documentation requirements. KFED does not take equity in any participating startup as part of this competition.

6. Data Privacy

Personal data collected through the application process will be used solely for the purposes of administering the Competition. KFED will handle all personal data in accordance with applicable UAE data protection regulations. Application data may be shared with authorised partners involved in the screening, mentorship, or judging process.

7. Media & Publicity

By participating, applicants consent to the use of their name, likeness, startup name, and submitted materials in connection with competition-related media, communications, and promotional activities by KFED and its partners.

8. Limitation of Liability

KFED shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from participation in the Competition. KFED reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the Competition at any time, for any reason, without prior notice.

9. Governing Law

These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the applicable federal laws of the United Arab Emirates. Any disputes arising shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Abu Dhabi.

10. Amendments

KFED reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time. Updated terms will be published on this page. Continued participation after amendments constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.