Sheikh Hamdan launches Dubai-it Award to celebrate bold ideas and exceptional results
Dubai has launched a new annual award designed to recognise the people, companies, institutions and projects that turn ambitious ideas into measurable achievements.
The Dubai-it Award was announced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. The initiative is inspired by Dubai’s development journey and the leadership philosophy of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The award is built around the concept of “Dubai-it” — an approach focused on action, speed, innovation, accountability and the ability to transform vision into tangible results. Sheikh Hamdan described it as a philosophy that drives progress and reflects the mindset behind Dubai’s rapid transformation.
Rather than focusing on a single industry, the programme will recognise achievements across government, technology, real estate, education, entrepreneurship and institutional development.
Awards for transformative projects
Several categories will be dedicated to projects that have delivered a clear impact.
Government initiatives will be recognised for achieving exceptional results in record time while maintaining a high quality of execution. Technology-driven projects will be evaluated on their ability to transform ambitious ideas into sustainable and measurable outcomes.
A separate category will honour real estate developments that have made a significant urban, economic or social contribution to Dubai. Educational projects will also be recognised for promoting achievement, responsibility, effective execution and a results-oriented culture.
Recognition for institutions and companies
The Dubai-it Award will also celebrate organisations that have made speed, execution and commitment to results part of their everyday culture.
Government institutions can be recognised for consistently delivering strong outcomes, while private companies will be considered for major transformations in their performance, operations or market influence.
This structure reflects the role played by both the public and private sectors in Dubai’s growth. Major developments in the city often depend on cooperation between government bodies, entrepreneurs, technology companies, property developers and educational institutions.
Honouring the people behind the achievements
Individual awards will recognise professionals and entrepreneurs responsible for turning ideas into successful projects.
One category will celebrate a government project manager who has translated a broader vision into measurable results through effective planning, strong execution and rapid delivery. Another will honour an entrepreneur who has transformed a promising concept into a successful business with meaningful impact.
By recognising individuals alongside projects and institutions, the award highlights that Dubai’s development is driven not only by large strategies but also by the people responsible for implementing them.
Inspiring the next generation
The Dubai-it Award is intended to do more than celebrate past success. Its wider goal is to encourage a new generation of leaders, founders and professionals to think ambitiously, act decisively and focus on outcomes.
Dubai’s global identity has been shaped by its ability to complete major projects quickly, adopt emerging technologies and continuously rethink how a modern city can operate. The new award turns that approach into a formal platform for recognising those who follow the same philosophy.
For Dubai, the initiative reinforces a familiar message: bold ideas matter, but their real value is measured by how effectively they are transformed into reality.
