Eureka! GCC 2024, the premier business model competition in Asia, concluded with Aura winning the prestigious Eureka! GCC title and the grand prize at a celebratory dinner held at the Hilton Al Habtoor City, Dubai on June 4. This third iteration of the competition, organized by IIT Bombay e-cell and supported by Gulf Islamic Investments (GII), has solidified its reputation for promoting business innovation and entrepreneurship within the GCC region. The event offered a unique opportunity for Gulf entrepreneurs to gain mentorship from top industry professionals in Dubai, a hub for business innovation. Over 300 startups from GCC nations participated, with 30 being selected for an advanced entrepreneurship training program that included tailored workshops and expert guidance. The judges narrowed down the competition to ten finalists vying for a portion of the $100,000 prize pool. Alongside Aura's victory, other awards were presented, including those for filming locations, ReflowX, and the Audience Choice Award for Best Open Pitch, won by HAAY and presented by Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul-General of India in Dubai. This year also introduced the E-summit, allowing finalists to showcase their ideas to a wider audience of industry experts and leaders, fostering a collaborative environment and providing valuable insights into the entrepreneurial journey. Pankaj Gupta, co-Founder and co-CEO of Gulf Islamic Investments (GII) and founder of Eureka! GCC, expressed his gratitude to the Dubai government and industry leaders for their support, highlighting the remarkable quality and creativity of the finalists. Eureka! GCC remains a crucial platform for budding entrepreneurs, offering essential resources, mentorship, and exposure to transform their ideas into viable businesses. The success of Eureka! GCC 2024 sets the stage for future competitions, offering even more opportunities for startups to flourish.
Text: Lara Palmer
11.06.2024
Eureka! GCC Competition Concludes with Aura's Victory and New Innovations at the E-summit