OVER 100 projects for female entrepreneurs are competing to win the three top positions at the Jeddah Entrepreneurs Meet and Competition (JEM) with SR375,000 in prize money for the top three finishers at stake. The winners will be announced at the entrepreneurship meeting to be held at the end of January 2016. The organizing committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) noted that it would still accept more projects until mid December. The competition is being organized under the title "Towards a Culture of Initiatives and Innovation." Those wanting to participate with their projects should send their entries and projects to the JEM website: www.jem-yie.com Sara Al-Ayid, head of JEM, said that the aim of the competition is to focus on innovation in small businesses. This, she noted, would help grow the economy and enhance job opportunities. The meeting is an interactive platform where representatives of the government sector and private sector meet small business owners and allow them to join efforts to advance and develop entrepreneurship in the Kingdom, she added. The competition is divided into three categories, social entrepreneurship, production projects, and innovative projects in health and education. The completion is open to females from all regions in the Kingdom. The evaluations do not depend only on the projects but also on the character, vision, confidence and passion of the participant. Thirty participants will move to the final stage and will be given training to enhance their skills. In addition, each one of them will get a total budget of SR100,000 for her business. The deputy chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ziyad Al-Bassam said they are keen to support startups and small businesses. At a press conference, where the competition was announced at the JCCI on Wednesday, he said the idea of this completion marks the advancement towards a growing future. "Further, when more cooperation between the private and public sector is achieved the more it will create job opportunities and provide a base for entrepreneurship in the Kingdom," he added. Adnan Mandoura, secretary general of the JCCI, said that up to 80% of members of the JCCI are owners of small businesses. Further, he added, that they support youth — both men and women — to start their own business and become owners of businesses rather than seek jobs.
