Made in the Arab World Competition
Showcasing Arab-made products and innovations, promoting local manufacturing excellence, and connecting innovators with markets across the region and beyond.
Connecting Arab innovation with global markets
Bridging Research, Business & Impact
The "Made in the Arab World" (MIA) competition creates a vital bridge between university research, professional R&D, and business communities to generate direct socioeconomic impact across Arab nations. This unique platform connects cutting-edge research and development efforts with practical business applications, transforming academic and professional innovations into market-ready products and services.
Unlike traditional competitions that focus solely on ideas or prototypes, MIA demands functional working products with clear market potential and documented business viability. This ensures that winning innovations are ready for commercialization, not just conceptual possibilities.
The competition operates through local competitions in participating Arab countries including Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and others, with winners advancing to the final MIA competition held in Egypt. This two-tier structure ensures regional representation while maintaining high quality standards through competitive selection at both national and regional levels.
Strategic Objectives
Bridge Research & Market
Connect university and professional research with business communities, ensuring that Arab R&D efforts translate into commercial products and services that generate economic value and solve real market needs.
Showcase Arab Manufacturing Excellence
Celebrate and promote high-quality Arab-made products and innovations, demonstrating the capability of Arab researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs to compete in global markets with world-class solutions.
Create Socioeconomic Impact
Generate direct socioeconomic benefits through commercialized innovations that address Arab challenges, create employment opportunities, and contribute to regional economic development and self-sufficiency.
Connect Innovators with Markets
Provide platforms for Arab innovators to connect with investors, business partners, distributors, and customers?facilitating the commercialization process and accelerating market entry for winning innovations.
Promote Applied Research Culture
Encourage researchers and students to think beyond academic publications, considering market applications and commercial viability from the earliest stages of their research and development efforts.
Competition Categories
The competition features three distinct tracks, each tailored to different stages of professional and academic development:
Professionals Track
For professors, engineers, and individual experts with professional expertise and industry experience. This track showcases innovations from established researchers and practitioners bringing deep domain knowledge and proven track records.
Typical Participants: University professors, professional engineers, senior researchers, industry experts, technical consultants
Postgraduates Track
For diploma, Master's, and PhD students, as well as researchers working in non-private scientific centers. This track bridges advanced academic research with practical applications, demonstrating how graduate-level work can address real market needs.
Typical Participants: Master's students, PhD candidates, diploma program students, research center scientists, postdoctoral researchers
Undergraduates Track
For university students working on graduation projects. This track encourages undergraduate students to think entrepreneurially about their capstone projects, considering commercialization potential alongside academic requirements.
Typical Participants: Final-year undergraduate students, senior project teams, bachelor's degree candidates across engineering and science disciplines
Awards & Recognition
Winners receive substantial cash prizes and comprehensive commercialization support to transform their innovations into successful market products:
First Place
Grand Prize Winner
$50,000
Substantial cash prize recognizing breakthrough innovation and market potential
Second Place
Comprehensive Commercialization Package
Professional business development services to accelerate market entry:
- Business Plan Development: Professional assistance creating investment-ready business plans
- Marketing Support: Promotion through ASTF investment programs and regional platforms
- Investor Networking: Direct connections to venture capital, angel investors, and strategic partners
- Technology Licensing: Support navigating intellectual property protection and licensing opportunities
Third Place
Full Participation Support
Coverage of all participation expenses in MIA activities including travel, accommodation, and event registration?ensuring accessibility for promising innovations regardless of financial constraints.
Project Requirements
All submissions must address Arab region challenges and meet rigorous standards for innovation, functionality, and market viability:
Core Eligibility Criteria
Projects must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Solve technological or scientific problems affecting Arab society or businesses
- Develop new products or services with significant market value in the Arab region
Required Deliverables
All competitors must present:
Functional Working Prototype
A fully functional prototype demonstrating the innovation's capabilities?not just a concept or model, but an actual working product that can be tested and evaluated for performance, reliability, and market readiness.
Complete Technical & Business Documentation
Comprehensive documentation including technical specifications, development methodology, testing results, market analysis, competitive landscape, business model, financial projections, and commercialization strategy.
Group Project Presentation
Professional presentation to judges demonstrating the innovation's value proposition, technical capabilities, market opportunity, and implementation plan?showcasing both the product and the team's ability to commercialize it.
Quality Over Quantity: The competition prioritizes fully developed, market-ready innovations over numerous preliminary concepts. Teams should focus on perfecting their working prototype and business case rather than submitting multiple incomplete ideas.
Participant Benefits
Market Validation & Exposure
Showcase innovations to investors, business leaders, potential partners, and customers across the Arab region. Competition participation validates market potential and generates visibility that accelerates commercialization.
Investor & Partner Connections
Direct access to ASTF's extensive network of venture capitalists, angel investors, strategic corporate partners, and business development resources actively seeking Arab innovations to support and fund.
Expert Feedback & Mentorship
Receive evaluation and feedback from experienced judges with deep technical and business expertise. Learn from their insights to refine product features, business models, and go-to-market strategies.
Substantial Prizes & Support
Win significant cash prizes ($50,000 for first place), comprehensive commercialization services, or full participation expense coverage?plus recognition that enhances credibility with investors and partners.
Regional Platform for Excellence
Be recognized as part of Arab manufacturing excellence, joining a prestigious community of innovators demonstrating the region's capability to produce world-class products and compete in global markets.
Accelerated Commercialization Pathway
Fast-track your innovation from prototype to market through structured support including business planning, investor introductions, technology licensing guidance, and marketing assistance through ASTF programs.
Ready to Showcase Your Innovation?
Join Made in the Arab World Competition and demonstrate Arab innovation excellence. Transform your research into market-ready products and connect with investors who can make it happen.