The MIT Enterprise Forum (MITEF) for the Pan Arab Region, in partnership with Community Jameel, and Zain Group, announces the launch of the ninth edition of the MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Startup Competition.

This year’s competition includes three different tracks: Ideas, Startups, and Social Entrepreneurship, with total prize money on offer in excess of $150,000. Each of the three tracks will award the first three ranked winners with cash prizes in addition to many other benefits, including top tier training, mentorship, coaching, media exposure.

Commenting on Zain Group’s support of the latest MITEF Arab Startup Competition, CEO Scott Gegenheimer said: “We continue to support this competition as Zain believes in championing the generation of new ideas, which may result in the development of the next technology or application to change our industry or the world. We are looking forward to interacting with this year’s aspiring entrepreneurs and shall take the opportunity to capitalize on the most promising innovative ideas supporting our evolution in becoming a digital lifestyle operator.”

Commenting on Community Jameel International’s support, President Fady Jameel said: “Entrepreneurs play an important role in shaping the economy and each year we are overwhelmed with the quality of participants in this competition. At Community Jameel, we are committed to enabling the next generation of young entrepreneurs and we will remain focused on creating and enabling an environment in which young entrepreneurs can achieve their aspirations.” he added.

Hala Fadel, chair of the board of MITEF Pan Arab, said: “We’re excited to meet and support the next wave of innovators from the region. With the rapid growth of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region and the support of our partners, we expect a record number of applications this year.”