Dubai:Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has concluded the fourth edition of the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum, revealing the winners of its creative entrepreneurship competition. The winners announced were SoundX Base, Les Marionnettes, and Rooted Elevation Games.
According to Wam, the forum was held in strategic partnership with Al Khayat Avenue at Area 57, Al Khayat Avenue, within Al Quoz Creative Zone. The event, themed "Creative Frontiers - Expanding What's Possible," took place from October 30th to 31st. It aimed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge among entrepreneurs, investors, artists, and designers, focusing on developing business skills and exploring opportunities in the cultural and creative industries.
The event's program included discussions, presentations, interactive sessions, and workshops that addressed how creative entrepreneurs can build sustainable businesses, attract investment, and respond to changing market demands by adopting advanced technologies. Wio Business sponsored the forum, offering financial tools to support freelancers and creative entrepreneurs in managing their finances and growing their businesses.
Khulood Khoory, Director of the Design Department at Dubai Culture, highlighted the strong participation in this year's forum, emphasizing the ambition and diversity of Dubai's creative community. The forum aimed to provide practical knowledge and professional relationships to help creative ventures navigate challenges and identify market opportunities.
The Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition featured eight ventures pitching their projects to a jury, with Dhruv Agarwala of SoundX Base securing first place and a cash prize of AED80,000. Gabriella Skaf and Alain Wehbe of Les Marionnettes took second place with AED50,000, while Lubna Alshamsi of Rooted Elevation Games received AED30,000 for third place. Additional prizes from in5 and TiE were also awarded to help winners develop their ventures.
The forum also featured insightful discussions and workshops on various topics, including investing in creative businesses, sustaining growth after initial success, and adapting to emerging trends. These sessions were complemented by practical workshops aimed at building sustainable creative projects and utilizing artificial intelligence for business efficiency.
The fourth edition of the forum reinforced the role of Al Quoz Creative Zone as a hub for entrepreneurs and partners, aligning with Dubai Culture's broader mission to nurture creative talent and strengthen the cultural and creative industries' impact on the emirate's economy.