Dubai, UAE – His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has honoured the 13 winners of the inaugural Dubai-it Award, which recognises outstanding achievement in turning ideas into results. The winners were announced on 11 November 2026.
The award aims to embed a culture of action and achievement across sectors and to document successful initiatives so other organisations can learn from them.
The 13 winners
- Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum – for his contribution to Dubai’s aviation industry
- Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) – for delivering infrastructure projects at twice the global average speed
- GDRFA Dubai – for its “Red Carpet” passenger-processing project
- Emirates NBD – Economic Institutions, for transforming banking services
- Emaar Properties – Real Estate Institutions
- Mahdi Amjad, OMNIYAT Group – Real Estate Projects, for architecture-led developments
- Ahmed bin Sulayem, DMCC – Project Managers, for trade and business ecosystem initiatives
- Fix Dessert Chocolatier – Projects, founded by Sarah Hamouda and Yezen Alani
- SWS Board Technology – Economic Projects, for snow and water sports board manufacturing
- Ziina – Business Companies, for its payment platform for entrepreneurs and businesses
- Ounass – Services, for rapid luxury online delivery
- Charlie Wright, Humantra – Entrepreneurs, for an electrolyte supplements brand
- Chef Izu Ani – Hospitality, for restaurant and hospitality brands that began in Dubai
From giants to start-ups
The list spans government entities, major corporations and homegrown entrepreneurs – from a viral chocolate brand and a fintech start-up to a Dubai-born restaurant group – reflecting the city’s message that good ideas can scale from Dubai to the world.
Source: Travels Dubai.
