If you have spent the past four years building something in Dubai that actually got done, fast, well and with real impact, there is now an official stage waiting for it. The emirate has launched its first Dubai-it Award, and unlike most recognition schemes, this one does not require you to wait for someone else to notice you. You can put yourself forward.
A One-Month Window to Apply
Nominations opened on August 10 and close September 10, giving business owners, founders, project leads and institutions a narrow but genuine window to apply through the award's platform at www.dubai-it.ae. Submissions can come from individuals directly or from companies nominating their own people and projects, which makes this less of a ceremonial honour and more of a practical opportunity for anyone with a strong case to make.
Where the Idea Came From
The idea behind Dubai-it traces back to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who framed it as a reflection of the city's own operating style: say what you will do, then do it. The award itself was launched under directives from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.
Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of The Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, called it a platform to keep that philosophy visible, putting a spotlight on people and organisations that lead, build and deliver with speed and distinction.
Who Can Enter and Where
What makes this worth your attention is the scope. There are three categories, covering individuals, projects, and institutions and companies, spread across ten fields that touch almost every corner of the local economy: government, real estate, economy, business, technology, sports, society, education, services and health. Whatever sector you operate in, there is likely a lane that fits.
What Judges are Actually Looking for
Judging criteria centre on exceptional achievement, execution quality, delivery speed, tangible impact and sustainability, so this is not about polish or presentation alone. It rewards proof. Nominees are expected to submit supporting evidence such as data, reports and media coverage to back up their claims, which means the businesses best placed to benefit are the ones already tracking their results properly.
Why the Timing Matters
For this first edition, achievements delivered anytime within the past four years are eligible, a generous window that narrows to 24 months from the second edition onward. That detail alone is worth flagging to anyone sitting on a strong project from a couple of years back that never got its due recognition. After this cycle, the eligibility clock resets to two years, so the opportunity to submit older work will not come round again.
Going forward, Dubai-it will run annually from September to May, positioning itself as a recurring fixture on the city's calendar rather than a one-off initiative.
For Dubai's business community, this is less about the ceremony and more about the door it opens. A well-documented nomination could translate into genuine visibility, credibility and recognition from the highest levels of the emirate's leadership, and for many, the hardest part will simply be deciding what to put forward first.
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Shahba Mayyeri
