$100,000 prize money awarded
The fourth edition of Eureka! GCC, a premier business model competition, was held in Dubai from May 28 to 29, 2025, fostering entrepreneurship across the oil-rich Arabian Gulf region.
Since its inception, Eureka! GCC has evolved into a transformative platform for early-stage businesses, providing them with the resources and mentorship needed to thrive.
This year, the competition attracted over 300 registrations from startups across the GCC region and beyond, including India, Jordan, Turkey, the UK, and Pakistan. A rigorous evaluation process resulted in the selection of 30 semi-finalists spanning diverse sectors, including health tech, fintech, sustainability, AI, and edtech.
Notable ventures among the semi-finalists included Nema AI, which is developing AI-driven healthcare diagnostics; Payvista, offering next-generation fintech solutions for underserved markets; and Instawrap Technical Services, creating sustainable alternatives to traditional packaging.
These startups participated in an intensive entrepreneurship programme featuring hands-on workshops, speaker sessions led by industry leaders, and one-on-one mentorship, all designed to refine their strategies and pitches ahead of the final stages.
The competition, with a total prize pool of $100,000, culminated in an elevator pitch round, where the 30 semi-finalists presented their ideas live to mentors and investors. The top 10 finalists advanced to the final phase, pitching their refined business models to a panel of judges.
During the event, industry leaders offered invaluable insights on scaling startups, fundraising strategies, and navigating the Gulf’s evolving business landscape.
Pankaj Gupta, Co-Founder of Eureka! GCC, said: “We believe that entrepreneurship is the driving force shaping the Gulf’s economic and social future. Each year, we are humbled by the boldness, ingenuity, and resilience we see among our young entrepreneurs. Their ventures are solutions to real-world challenges and catalysts for lasting impact.”Top of Form
Image: Eureka! GCC prize winners and officials pose for a group photo in Dubai. Credit: Eureka! GCC
