Future AI and Cybersecurity Startup Challenge
For university students across the UAE
Building tomorrow’s venture leaders in AI and Cybersecurity
AIFest inspires university students in the UAE to create innovative AI startups. The festival serves as a platform to showcase talent, exchange knowledge, engage with industry, and contribute to the UAE's AI and innovation strategy.
AlCyberFest is a TechFirm Technology LLC program for universities and their students in the UAE, focused on cybersecurity and generative Al. The 2025 edition at GITEX Global in Dubai is under the patronage of the UAE Cybersecurity Council. This edition guides student teams and their faculty mentors to turn applied research and product concepts into startup-ready solutions, with practical, secure, and scalable outcomes that can move to validation and commercialization.
AI solutions for:
AI solutions for:
Teams: up to 5 students from UAE universities.
Winners in each track + Grand Prize for the best festival startup.
uniqueness and
novelty of the solution.
scalability and business
model.
value for society and
the UAE economy.
practicality and
implementability.
presentation skills and
team engagement.
Opportunity to showcase projects at the region’s largest tech event (GITEX).
Networking with investors, companies, and startups.
Possibility to launch their own business.
Access to top young AI talent.
Strengthening brand presence in the innovation and technology ecosystem.
Contribution to UAE AI Strategy 2031.
Image as a socially responsible company investing in youth.
Deadline to register
Online kick‑off meeting
Choose 1 of 4 Track. Team work and preparation of materials, submission to the committee
Jury evaluation of applications
1 representative from each Partner
Announcement of top 3 semifinalists
Final: presentation at GITEX, selection of 1st–3rd places, award ceremony During GITEX
Other Partners under approval
We have prepared valuable rewards to celebrate the achievements of our winners
The grand prize for the champion who demonstrated outstanding skills, creativity, and leadership.
A significant award for the finalist who delivered an impressive result and secured a well‑deserved spot.
A prize for the participant who showed perseverance, talent, and an original approach.
About AlCyberFest: AlCyberFest is a flexible brand from Techfirm, that can operate as a competition, a research showcase, a product challenge, a hackathon, or a CTF, and future editions may run with different partners or patrons.
About AlCyberFest: AlCyberFest is a flexible brand from Techfirm, that can operate as a competition, a research showcase, a product challenge, a hackathon, or a CTF, and future editions may run with different partners or patrons.