MBRIF Innovation Trailblazers — Entrepreneurship

MBRIF Innovation Trailblazers is a nationwide student pitching competition run by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund with sponsorship from Dubai Investments. It supports teams enrolled at UAE universities that are developing an idea, prototype, or early-stage startup.

Teams submit a short pitch, and shortlisted applicants receive preparation before presenting to an expert judging panel at a UAE university. The top three teams receive grants, mentorship, and access to MBRIF’s Mini Accelerator.

Benefits & funding

The top three teams receive grants of AED 30,000, AED 20,000, and AED 15,000 respectively.
The three winning teams join MBRIF’s Mini Accelerator and receive mentorship from Dubai Investments.
Participants can meet investors, innovation-enabling organizations, and other stakeholders from across the UAE.

Eligibility

Each applicant must be an undergraduate or postgraduate student enrolled at a university in the United Arab Emirates; participation is not limited to partner universities.
Applications must come from teams of 2–4 people.
The proposed innovation may be at the idea, prototype, or early-stage startup stage.
MBRIF does not publish a nationality or gender restriction for this program.

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Education required
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Application process

1
Apply as a team through the official program page and submit a short pitch for the innovation.
2
MBRIF screens the submissions and selects a shortlist.
3
Shortlisted teams complete a preparation phase, including a one-day pitching workshop.
4
Teams present at Pitch Day to a panel of industry experts.
5
The top three teams proceed to grant support, mentorship, and the Mini Accelerator.

Program timeline

Applications
The next cycle has not been announced.
Screening and selection
Shortlisted teams enter a preparation phase.
Pitch preparation
Shortlisted teams attend a one-day pitching workshop.
MBRIF announced the first-edition winners.
Jan 22, 2026