Al Quoz Forum Ignites Dubai’s Creative Revolution

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Dubai's commitment to fostering creativity was evident as the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum wrapped up at Al Khayat Avenue, celebrating innovation and cultural enterprise.

Hosted by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, this two-day gathering united a diverse group of entrepreneurs, investors, and creatives for workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. The forum highlighted the growth of Dubai's creative economy and its expanding influence across various sectors.

A standout feature of the event was the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition, which honored outstanding local startups. Hamad Khoory, founder of Bedaoius—an Emirati heritage-inspired digital gaming venture—won the top accolade, taking home AED 80,000. Second place went to Sofia Khmelidze of ArtDep, which specializes in curating art and cultural experiences, earning AED 50,000. Third place was awarded to Nizar Ahmadi, CEO of MADE, a talent platform, who received AED 30,000.

Seven innovative startups were shortlisted to present to an expert panel comprising leaders from Dubai Sports Council, AW Rostamani, Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund, and Rite. Judges assessed the entries based on creativity, sustainability, market feasibility, and cultural effect, focusing on how these initiatives could advance the creative economy and generate job opportunities.

The event stimulated engaging discussions about the future of creativity. Mohamed Saeed Harib, Chairman of Lammtara Art Production, commenced the forum with a keynote titled ‘Animating the Future,’ which delved into how storytelling and collaboration can transform creative industries. Another highlight was the talks featuring Mo Gawdat and Omar Butti on ‘Co-Creating Tomorrow’ that examined the human aspect of creativity within an AI-focused landscape.

Additional notable highlights included Chef Mohamad Orfali's session, ‘Beyond a Star,’ where he shared his journey balancing authenticity and success, and various skill enhancement workshops like ‘Rock Your Profile’ by LinkedIn, ‘Empathetic Entrepreneurship Thinking’ by DIDI, and ‘Unlocking IP for Creatives’ by Dubai Economy and Tourism.

The competition winners not only received financial rewards but also a comprehensive package aimed at supporting their growth, provided by partners like Oraseya Capital, In5, LinkedIn, Zoho, TiE Dubai, and Letswork. This included mentorship, workspace access, and investment opportunities to help scale their businesses.

Supported by numerous partners, including Entrepreneur Middle East, Al Khayat Avenue, and Innov8 Incubator, the forum underscored Dubai’s dedication to cultivating a thriving ecosystem where creative talents and business innovation can flourish together.

As the forum concluded, the energy and aspirations of Dubai’s creative sector became evident—bold, innovative, and positioned to redefine the future of the region’s cultural economy.