Arab Youth Hackathon 2026

About

A three-day hackathon designed for young innovators to develop business ideas addressing climate change and sustainability, offering financial prizes and incubation support for the best solutions. Participants will collaborate in teams, receive mentorship, and compete for a chance to present their ideas at a major event in Dubai.

Benefits

• 💰Financial Support
  $30,000 for the first prize, $20,000 for the second prize, and $10,000 for the third prize in grant form to develop the winning ideas into startups
• 🎓Incubation Program
  One month of online incubation support from Plug and Play for the winning teams
• 🏆Final Event Participation
  Finalists will compete at COP-28 in Dubai for additional recognition and opportunities
• 🌐Mentorship Access
  Support from mentors and sustainability experts during the hackathon
• 📈Networking Opportunities
  Engagement with industry leaders and potential investors through the hackathon events

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to nationals or residents of the country where applying
• Participants must be aged between 18 to 35 years old
• At least one team member must be over 21 years old
• Must be passionate and knowledgeable about environmental challenges
• University students and early-stage entrepreneurs are welcome to apply

Participation Commitments

• Must form a team of 2-3 people to participate in the hackathon
• Must attend the hackathon event in the respective country on the scheduled dates
• Participants must submit their application by the specified deadlines for their country
• Teams will work intensively for three days to develop their business ideas

Target Region

Open to participants from Egypt, UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia

Target Sector

Focused on sustainability and environmental innovation