Shams nurtures young innovators with Higher Colleges of Technology

September 24, 2025 / 1:42 PM

Sharjah 24: Sharjah Media City (Shams) recently concluded the Venture Ignite competition, held in collaboration with the Higher Colleges of Technology. The event attracted a wide participation of students, with more than 25 teams competing to present innovative entrepreneurial ideas and projects, showcasing the diverse creative skills and innovative spirit of young talent.

Encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation

The competition was organised to encourage innovative ideas, develop practical skills, and foster a culture of entrepreneurship. Shams played a pivotal role in supporting the event, including sponsoring the awards for the winning teams.

Winners and prizes

After evaluating the projects, the judging panel selected three winning teams. The first-place team received a two-year licence from Shams, free membership on the global business management platform Zoho—which offers digital solutions for project management, HR, marketing, and customer service—and complimentary banking support. The second- and third-place teams were awarded one-year licences, Zoho benefits, and banking support to help sustain and grow their ventures.

Empowering young talent

Sara Al Amoudi, Marketing and Events Executive at Shams, emphasised that the awards provide practical tools for students to transform their ideas into scalable entrepreneurial projects. She highlighted Shams’ commitment to equipping young talents with the necessary resources to launch into the business world.

Promoting a knowledge-based economy

At the closing of the event, organisers praised the quality of participation and ideas presented, underlining that the initiative aligns with a shared vision to inspire youth creativity and contribute to building a knowledge-based economy driven by entrepreneurship.