4th Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition

As part of its efforts to advance the cultural sector and support Dubai’s creative communities, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is preparing to host the fourth edition of the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum in Q4 2026. Celebrating entrepreneurship and exploring how creativity drives the economy, the forum reflects the Authority's commitment to supporting talented individuals and SMEs as they develop their ideas and expand their impact within the cultural and creative industries (CCIs). This aligns with Dubai Culture's sector priorities, which centre on reinforcing the emirate's position as a global centre for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.
Held at Al Quoz Creative Zone, the event offers an innovative platform for the sector, bringing together entrepreneurs, cultural leaders, artists, designers, chefs, and investors to explore the future of the creative economy. It also highlights the opportunities and resources available to professionals working across the field. This year’s edition will feature a series of talks led by industry experts, alongside workshops, networking sessions, and panel discussions on project development, business growth, talent empowerment, and skills enhancement.
In parallel, Dubai Culture announced the launch of an open call for the fourth Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition, to be held on the sidelines of the forum. The competition aims to bring together ambitious participants and encourage them to put forward innovative ideas that strengthen Dubai’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and support the objectives of the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy, which works to connect creative ventures with investment capital.
The open call targets early-stage startups, emerging businesses, and entrepreneurs working across the CCIs, including advertising and marketing; cultural production; craft manufacturing; architecture and urban planning; television and radio broadcasting; handicrafts and fine arts; graphic, industrial, digital, fashion, and product design; heritage, museums, libraries and archaeology; music; film and animation; performing and visual arts; photography; podcasting and content creation; publishing and literature; gaming; and culinary arts and food culture.
Applications will be accepted until 12 July 2026. A specialised committee will review submissions and select qualified entries against several criteria, including the originality of the idea, its potential to grow and compete, its capacity to meet market demands and customer needs, and its sustainability in terms of resources, revenue generation, and long-term growth. Entries will also be assessed on their impact on the CCIs, contribution to innovation, support for cultural diversity, and ability to create new job opportunities.
Shortlisted participants will have the opportunity to pitch to attendees and a judging panel of industry experts, investors, and forum partners, who will select the winners. First place carries a cash prize of AED 80,000, with AED 50,000 for second place and AED 30,000 for third. Additional prizes will be offered by event partners.
Khulood Khoory, Director of the Design Department at Dubai Culture, highlighted the importance of the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum as a central pillar in advancing the emirate’s cultural entrepreneurship ecosystem and strengthening its place within the wider creative economy landscape. She said: “Creativity is a key driver of development and a vital catalyst for building innovative, competitive, and sustainable business models. This is reflected in the forum through its interactive tracks and specialised programmes, which redefine how creativity and entrepreneurship come together.”
Khoory added: “The forum demonstrates Dubai Culture’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and project owners to translate their ideas into scalable economic opportunities, while connecting them with influential networks of partners, investors, and experts. This opens new horizons for growth and supports their journey towards expanding their presence in local and global markets. The competition itself strengthens the readiness of emerging ventures and helps build an integrated ecosystem that supports innovation and the growth of the CCIs.”