Ooredoo, AII launch second Arab Mobile App Challenge

Organisers elaborate on the mechanics of Ooredoo’s second Arab Mobile App Challenge.

Ooredoo and the Applied Innovation Institute (AII) have launched the second Arab Mobile App Challenge (AMAC), which seeks to tap talented young entrepreneurs and developers in the mobile space.

For the first time, the challenge will be Pan Arab in scope to allow participants from any Arab country to form teams and compete in the development of new mobile apps.

Launched in 2013, the AMAC enables teams of up to six members under the age of 35 to develop mobile apps designed to make an impact in the education, health, entertainment, and employability/entrepreneurship sectors.

The programme aims to introduce and educate young Arabs about entrepreneurship and the path to launching a start-up as well as enhancing business skills and design abilities.

The success of the programme was showcased after the staging of the AMAC first edition where more than 15% of the participants who reached the semi-final stages are now owners of start-up businesses.

These new companies are now contributors to economic growth and employment generation.

AII board member Dr Paris Del’Etraz said: “The app market is growing at a speed we never envisioned changing the way we interact with the world and transforming the opportunities around us. It is the perfect platform to provide opportunities for young Arab nationals to express their ideas, launch start-ups, and to develop new and authentic Arabic content that is highly-needed and in demand.”

Ooredoo Group chief executive officer Dr Nasser Marafih said Ooredoo supports projects that enable people to fulfil their dreams and aspirations.

“And we are particularly focused on entrepreneurial programmes for young people. We are continuing to support the Arab Mobile App Challenge because it enables young people to harness the power and potential of mobile technology, improve their own careers, and give back to their communities,” he said.

Ooredoo supports a rich portfolio of youth entrepreneurial initiatives across its footprint and is a founding partner of the Arab Mobile App Challenge, Marafih added.

In 2014, the programme was expanded to offer a mix of direct and web-based activities open to teams of young people in the Middle East and North Africa, who will join participants in North America and South East Asia during the challenge.

With the combined competitor base of the three regions, the AMAC will be the largest mobile app challenge in the world this year.

Top prizes include $25,000 (first prize); $15,000, (second prize); and $10,000 (third prize) as well as the chance to compete in the Global App Challenge in Barcelona hosted by the Mobile World Congress.

Participants can also benefit from on-going support programmes, including mentorship, partner matching, and development training to enable the participants to realise their start-up goals. In Qatar, the programme will be supported by the Qatar Business Incubation Centre.

Other programme partners include Pearson, IE Business School, Mada, Oasis400, Wamda, MIT Enterprise Forum, Potential, In5, Intigral, Afkar.Me, Badir Lebanon, +961 Co Working Space, the Queen Rania Centre for Entrepreneurship, and Int@j Jordan.  

Interested participants will have three months to register starting July 19. Once registered, they will receive regular updates via e-mail and social media. Training begins in September for both online and in major cities across the Arab world.

For more information about the Arab Mobile App Challenge, visit www.arabmobilechallenge.com.