Dubai app contest draws 9,754 entries

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 8, 2026

Dubai concluded its third Create Apps Championship with winners honored from a pool of 9,754 entries spanning 153 countries, highlighting the event's global appeal. To build on this success, the emirate launched the AI Agents Championship focused on advancing AI-driven solutions aimed at improving government and business services.

Dubai marked the conclusion of the third edition of its Create Apps Championship by honoring winners in a ceremony held at Emirates Towers Boulevard. The competition drew 9,754 entries from 153 countries, reflecting a growing international interest in the emirate’s app development ecosystem.

Since its inception, the championship has garnered a total of 15,564 applications globally across the three editions. These entries have contributed to the development of approximately 1,700 prototypes and facilitated the launch of more than 140 applications. The initiative is overseen by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy as part of its broader effort to promote technology entrepreneurship and innovation within the emirate.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the United Arab Emirates, and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, highlighted the global reach of the program. He noted that innovators from around the world have come to Dubai to access resources and investment needed to transform their ideas into impactful technologies. “Across three editions, the initiative has attracted more than 15,000 entries from 153 countries, helped develop 1,700 innovative prototypes and supported the launch of more than 140 applications,” he said.

Building on this momentum, Dubai also announced the launch of the AI Agents Championship, a new competition focused on practical implementations of artificial intelligence. Sheikh Hamdan emphasized that this initiative aims to enhance the delivery of government and business services by making them “faster, easier and more efficient.” The competition seeks to attract global innovators to contribute fresh ideas and solutions that leverage AI technologies.

The introduction of the AI Agents Championship aligns with Dubai’s ongoing strategic emphasis on digital skills, AI adoption, and technology entrepreneurship as pillars of its economic growth agenda. The emirate continues to position itself as a global hub for innovation by fostering an environment where talent can develop cutting-edge applications and services.

Together, these initiatives underscore Dubai’s commitment to expanding its digital economy and strengthening its role on the international technology stage.

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