Dubai: The Eureka! GCC 2024, Asia’s largest business model competition, reached its climax as Aura was declared the winner of the Eureka! GCC title and its Grand Prize at a gala dinner held at the Hilton Al Habtoor City, Dubai, on June 4.
The Eureka! GCC competition, now in its third edition, has become synonymous with fostering business innovation and entrepreneurship across the GCC region. Organized by IIT Bombay e-cell and powered by Gulf Islamic Investments (GII), Eureka! GCC provides an ideal platform for aspiring Gulf entrepreneurs to receive mentorship from industry experts in Dubai, the hub of business innovation.
The 2024 competition attracted participation from over 300 startups from GCC countries. A meticulous evaluation process shortlisted thirty semi-finalists to receive an advanced entrepreneurship training program, comprising customized workshops on efficient business planning and specialist guidance from industry experts.
The Eureka! GCC judges selected the top ten startups to compete in the Grand Finale for a share of the $100,000 prize pool. Besides the Grand Prize for Aura, other prizes and awards were presented to Filming Locations and ReflowX, with the Audience Choice Award for Best Open Pitch (won by HAAY) presented by the Guest of Honour, Mr. Satish Kumar Sivan (Consul-General of India in Dubai).
A new innovation this year – the E-Summit - provided a platform for the finalists to present their innovative ideas to a broader audience of industry experts and leaders. The summit included startup business challenges and the entrepreneurial journey, offering valuable commercial insight and fostering a spirit of collaboration and learning.
Pankaj Gupta, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Gulf Islamic Investments (GII) and Founder of Eureka! GCC, commented, “GII’s ongoing partnership with Eureka! GCC demonstrates our strong belief in supporting fresh ideas, inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of Dubai and the GCC. I am grateful to the Dubai government and industry leaders for making this entrepreneurship program so successful. The quality and creativity of the finalists were truly remarkable. We are proud to support the development of such talent and innovation, which are essential for the ongoing economic development of our region.”
The Eureka! GCC competition continues to serve as a vital platform for aspiring entrepreneurs, providing the resources, mentorship, and exposure needed to turn their business ideas into reality. By connecting startups with experienced industry leaders and potential investors, Eureka! GCC helps bridge the gap between innovative concepts and successful businesses. The success of Eureka! GCC 2024 paves the way for future editions, promising even greater opportunities for startups to prosper.
