The University of Sharjah in collaboration with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry are excited to announce the opening of the 10th Sharjah Chamber Award for Innovators that is under the umbrella of the 11th International Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Both the forum and the award aim to embed innovation culture and entrepreneurial mindset amongst the youth by making them able to identify important problems affecting our societies and create innovative solutions that can be turned into entrepreneurial ventures.
Why should you register for the International Forum on innovation and Entrepreneurship (Sharjah Chamber Award for Innovators)?
The Innovation Forum competition offers an exciting and unique opportunity for getting feedback from experienced judges and mentors. The winners of the award win prize worth 100,000AED. In addition, they are given the opportunity to be mentored by our industry partners who will support them to explore and validate their ideas with real customers, in order to turn their innovative ideas and products into entrepreneurial startups.
Who can participate?
The award is open to University Students (Graduates and Undergraduates) and High School Students (Grades 10, 11, 12) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
For further information about the competition:
Click here for the English Concept Note
Click here for the Arabic Concept Note.
Competition’s Tracks
The Sharjah Chamber Award for Innovators has one broad track for the Universities Students and two tracks for the Schools Students.
Universities Students:
Youth Addiction Track:
Youth today face unprecedented challenges; ranging from device addiction, excessive gaming, social media dependency, and risky habits like vaping. These issues not only endanger their physical and mental health but also undermine their academic performance, social relationships, and long-term potential for success.
Youth addiction can be understood as the excessive and unhealthy dependence on habits such as technology use, gaming, or substances, which disrupts balance in life and hinders growth.
Examples of Youth Addiction include:
- Smartphone/Device Addiction – Constant urge to use phones, iPads or other devices, even when unnecessary.
- Social Media Overuse – Spending excessive time on platforms seeking likes, posts, or updates.
- Gaming Addiction – Playing video games compulsively, ignoring other responsibilities.
- Nicotine & Vaping Addiction – Dependence on nicotine through cigarettes or e-cigarettes.
- Energy Drink Overuse – Relying on high-caffeine drinks for energy, often in excess.
- Online Gambling / Loot Boxes – Compulsive spending on betting sites or in-game purchases.
- Junk Food Addiction – Craving and overeating unhealthy fast food or sugary snacks.
- Streaming/Binge-Watching Addiction – Watching shows or videos for long hours, harming sleep and focus.
- Online Shopping Addiction – Buying items repeatedly online, often without real need.
- Caffeine Addiction – Drinking too much coffee or tea, leading to dependence for energy.
- Sugar Addiction – Strong craving for sweets or sugary drinks, harming health over time.
- Adrenaline/Thrill Addiction – Seeking risky or extreme activities for excitement.
- Music/Headphone Addiction – Listening to loud music constantly as escape, often in isolation.
Schools Students:
General Innovation Track: Students are encouraged to explore new ideas across technology, sustainability, business, and creative industries, driving forward the spirit of invention and entrepreneurship.
Examples of General Innovations include:
- Technology & Digital Solutions – apps, AI, robotics, fintech, smart devices.
- Sustainability & Environment – renewable energy, waste reduction, green products.
- Business & Startups – creative business models, e-commerce, products and services.
- Creative Industries & Design – fashion, architecture, media, product design.
- Smart Cities & Mobility – urban infrastructure, transport, road safety.
- STEM Innovation – inventions and prototypes in science and engineering.
- Other innovations
Youth and Social Well-being Track: Recognizing the importance of healthy lifestyles and supportive communities, this track invites students to design solutions that tackle challenges such as mental health, digital addiction, social inclusion, and cultural identity.
Examples of Youth and Social Well-being include:
- Mental Health & Emotional Wellness – stress reduction, counseling tools, peer support.
- Unhealthy habits – tackling digital addiction, and unhealthy habits.
- Healthy Lifestyles & Sports – fitness, nutrition, and well-being apps or initiatives.
- Education & Future Skills – tools that support learning, digital literacy, career readiness.
- Community & Social Impact – youth leadership, volunteering, social inclusion.
- Culture & Identity – preserving heritage, promoting values, arts and storytelling.
Monetary Award
University Students
Youth Addiction Track
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1st Position: AED 25,000
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2nd Position: AED 15,000
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3rd Position: AED 12,000
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4th Position: AED 8,000
School Students
Youth and Social Well-being Track
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1st Position: AED 12,000
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2nd Position: AED 8,000
General Innovation Track
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1st Position: AED 12,000
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2nd Position: AED 8,000
Judging Criteria:
- PROBLEM
- SOLUTION INCLUDING PROTOTYPE
- BUSINESS MODEL
- FEASIBILITY & CUSTOMER TEST
- CONCLUSION AND IMPACT ON SOCIETY