The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (Khalifa Fund) has announced the return of the Venturist Entrepreneurship Summer Camp 2024, which is in its 6th edition, with registration open for Emirati students aged 13 to 18.

Certified by Stanford University, the camp will be hosted by the Khalifa Innovation Centre at Khalifa University, leveraging cutting-edge resources. The campus provides space for a diverse range of indoor and outdoor activities for the interactive nature of the Venturist camp, which will run in two sessions: from 8-17 July 2024, and from 22-31 July 2024.

The Venturist camp provides an engaging platform for young entrepreneurs to explore their potential in a collaborative environment. It encourages teamwork and stimulates commercial and creative thinking skills, inspiring participants to propose innovative business ideas and practical solutions that align with modern market trends and meet market demands.

Her Excellency Alia Al Mazrouei, CEO of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said: “This camp is not merely an educational opportunity; it is a comprehensive programme designed to foster an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset among the youth. It offers students an exciting opportunity for participation in entrepreneurship workshops and engaging activities covering various business topics. This summer camp is crafted to impart essential entrepreneurial skills to young individuals, enabling them to thrive, grow, and become the industry leaders of tomorrow.

“This camp is a testament to the Khalifa Fund's unwavering commitment to empowering the youth and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship. It creates a positive impact on the future leaders and innovators of the UAE, considering their key role in shaping the future of our SME sector. Our primary objective is to provide a high-quality camp that is accessible and tailored to young individuals demonstrating a passion for entrepreneurship.”

The participants will begin their day in the camp with a session covering various business topics. Organised into teams with assigned specialist tutors, the participants will be encouraged to work collaboratively with their colleagues and produce innovative business ideas that serve global demands and interests. As part of the camp experience, supervisors will organise a field trip to a successful business venture to give the students an opportunity to experience a real-world work environment, and interact with employees, deepening their understanding of the business world.

Additionally, the camp will feature successful entrepreneurs as guest speakers to share their expertise and insights. Students will have the opportunity to interact with these experts, seek their advice, and benefit from their valuable insights and inspiring success stories. The final day concludes with each group presenting their refined business concepts and plans to a panel of judges, showcasing their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. The panel will select the winning teams whose business ideas are the most outstanding and feasible for real-world implementation.