Launch your startup at KU

We help KU students turn ideas into real ventures through hands-on programs, mentorship, and ecosystem connections.

500+
Active Members
50+
Startups Launched
$2M+
Funding Raised
Innovation
Launch
Growth

Our Mission

Our mission is to promote entrepreneurship at KU and turn student ideas into startups—from problem discovery to launch and early traction.

Our Goals

Building the largest student entrepreneurship ecosystem in the UAE

Founder Skills

Cultivate essential skills in problem validation, MVP development, and go-to-market strategies.

Ecosystem Connections

Connect students with mentors, investors, and industry leaders to accelerate their journey.

Competitions & Panels

Run flagship competitions and expert panels that accelerate teams and provide real-world insights.

Founder Community

Build a supportive founder community across all colleges and disciplines at KU.

Pathway to Market

Channel promising projects to KUEC/KIC pathways where relevant for further development.

Programs & Events

Comprehensive pathways to turn your ideas into reality

Coming Soon

Startup Bootcamps

Customer discovery, MVP sprints, and hands-on workshops to validate and build your startup idea.

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Coming Soon

Founder Meetups

Peer feedback sessions, pitch practice, and networking with fellow student entrepreneurs.

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Coming Soon

Mentor Office Hours

One-on-one sessions with KU alumni entrepreneurs and industry partners for personalized guidance.

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Pitch Competition

Showcase your startup idea and win funding to bring it to life

1st Place
AED 5,000
Grand Prize Winner
2nd Place
AED 3,000
Runner-up
3rd Place
AED 1,000
Third Place

Who Can Apply

KU students (solo or teams up to 5 members)

Competition Tracks

Tech, Health, Sustainability, Open Innovation

Judging Criteria

  • Problem Insight (25%)
  • Solution & MVP (25%)
  • Market & GTM (25%)
  • Team & Execution (25%)

Timeline

  • Applications Open
  • Shortlist Announcement
  • Pitch Day
  • Winners Announced
Apply to Pitch

IP stays with teams; finalists may be referred to KUEC/KIC

Panel Discussion

Learn from industry experts and successful entrepreneurs

Expert Insights & Founder Journeys

Join us for an intimate 60-75 minute discussion with industry experts covering founder journeys, fundraising in the UAE, and achieving product-market fit.

Discussion Topics:

  • Founder journeys and lessons learned
  • Fundraising strategies in the UAE ecosystem
  • Product-market fit and customer validation
  • Building and scaling startup teams

Format:

60-75 minutes of expert insights followed by Q&A session with the audience

Industry Operator

Senior executive with hands-on experience in scaling startups

Operator

Investment Expert

Venture capitalist with deep knowledge of the UAE investment landscape

Investor

KU Alumnus Founder

Successful entrepreneur who started their journey at Khalifa University

Founder

Tech Innovation Leader

Technology expert driving innovation in emerging markets

Innovator
Reserve a Seat

Limited seats available. RSVP required.

Partners & Pathways

We collaborate with KU's innovation ecosystem to help founders move from campus to market

KUEC

Khalifa University Entrepreneurship Center

Innovation Hub

Startup Ecosystem

Connecting students to the broader UAE startup community

Network Access

Through strategic partnerships with KU's innovation centers, we provide students with direct pathways to commercialization, funding opportunities, and mentorship from industry leaders.

Upcoming Events

Don't miss these exciting opportunities

15 Oct

Startup Pitch Night

Watch student startups pitch to a panel of investors and industry experts.

22 Oct

AI Innovation Workshop

Learn how to integrate AI into your startup and build intelligent solutions.

29 Oct

Founder's Fireside Chat

Intimate conversation with successful UAE entrepreneurs sharing their journey.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Join hundreds of student entrepreneurs who are already building the future