Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council award helps female entrepreneurs

The Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council is helping female entrepreneurs springboard to success through its Best Innovative and Creative Project Award 2021.

A subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the council will focus on creative ideas that fall within the UAE’s priority sectors – technology, renewable energy, space, the environment, water, health and safety, education, social responsibility and business continuity. They want to find the best innovative ideas that are economically feasible and will make an impact.

The Best Innovative and Creative Project Award is becoming increasingly popular with 75 project ideas submitted last year – a 61 per cent increase over 2019.

It was introduced as part of the council’s five-year strategic plan to increase the participation of women in business entrepreneurship. After integrating a business model canvas template into the award process, the council expects even more entries this year.

The award is open to female graduates whose ideas are still on the drawing board as well as women who already have their businesses off the ground. Open to women of all nationalities, entrants can apply individually or as part of a collective of no more than five. A third category – Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur – invites submissions from previous winners.

The deadline for submissions is September 5, 2021 and winners will be announced in October. Entrants can apply online through Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council’s website.

As well as a cash prize, the five winners will receive business support from Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council. They’ll benefit from vital training and business model coaching to help propel their concepts into the market and increase their competitiveness.