Global Competition For Tech Startups, Omraan Launches In India

New Cities Foundation and Oasis500 has launched Omraan, a global competition for tech startups and innovators in India. Omraan will be rewarding the best urban technology ideas with $30,000 worth of seed funding and a 100-day acceleration program in Amman, Jordan.

Omraan, is aimed at identifying and rewarding aspiring Indian entrepreneurs who are developing promising technologies that tackle urban challenges, with a particular relevance to urban environments in the Middle East.

“Through a combination of seed funding and acceleration, Omraan’s mission is to nurture the most creative and forward-thinking technology startups from across the globe, and develop their ideas into concrete projects that solve challenges facing all cities,” said the statement released.

Who Can & How to apply?

Startups providing technological solutions to urban problems through mobile, web, cloud, ecommerce, gaming, entertainment, enterprise software, digital news, digital advertising, and social networks can apply at www.omraan.me, with details about the idea followed by a presentation.

Selection Procedure

The best applications will be interviewed by Omraan jury members and the applicants will have to give a 10-minute pitch presentation to be considered for the award. The contest will be divided into two batches with winners of the first batch announced in early October 2014 and second in February 2015 respectively.

Applications will be assessed jointly by a jury of experts that include Oasis500 and the New Cities Foundation.

Prizes & Rewards

The qualifying startups will receive seed funding of $30,000 which will consist of a $12,000 cash investment along with $17,000 in in-kind services through Oasis500’s acceleration and incubation program.

Acceleration in Amman will involve coaching and mentoring from the Oasis500 team, industry experts, and a group of 300 international mentors.

The 100-day acceleration and investment program will be followed by 6‐9 months of incubation either in Amman, or the following partner cities: Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Manama, Cairo and Beirut.

John Rossant, Chairman of the New Cities Foundation, said, “The New Cities Foundation is proud to be launching Omraan in collaboration with Oasis500 in India.. we are now excited to provide a powerful platform to India for incubating, promoting and scaling urban technologies in the Middle East from which cities around the world can also learn.”
Omraan is a global call for new technology ideas, aiming to identify and reward aspiring entrepreneurs who are developing promising technologies that tackle urban challenges. It’s a collaborative effort by Oasis500, the New Cities Foundation, and the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM).

Interested startups can apply here.