Dubai, UAE – In a move to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among students, UAE-based GEMS Education has announced the launch of the ‘Next Billion Innovation’ start-up fund, a $1 million initiative aimed at supporting young innovators in developing groundbreaking solutions with global impact.
The fund will initially be exclusively available to students at the GEMS School of Research and Innovation (SRI), set to open in Dubai in August 2025. However, it will later expand to include participants of the GEMS Global Innovation Challenge (GIC), an annual competition that encourages students across all GEMS schools to address pressing global challenges through innovative solutions.
Investing in Student Innovation
As part of the initiative, students will gain access to:
- Financial support to develop and scale their ideas
- Global start-up ecosystems through an incubator partnership
- Expert mentorship from industry leaders, university research labs, and entrepreneurs
- State-of-the-art innovation facilities at GEMS SRI, including a ‘Disruption Hub’, innovation rooms, and design labs
Speaking on the initiative, Sunny Varkey, Chairman and Founder of GEMS Education, emphasized the importance of nurturing young entrepreneurs.
“The entrepreneurial mindset doesn’t have an age barrier. We want to ensure our students don’t need to look elsewhere for funding—because the best ideas should be driven by passion, not financial constraints,” Varkey said.
GEMS SRI: Dubai’s Most Expensive School
GEMS SRI is set to become Dubai’s most premium and innovative school, with annual fees ranging from:
- Dh116,000 (Foundation 1) to Dh206,000 (Year 13)
- Dh152,000 for Year 6
The school will feature a dedicated Creator and Entrepreneurship Academy, providing students with hands-on experience in AI-powered start-ups, product design, and market disruption.
A Legacy of Student Entrepreneurship
GEMS students have a strong track record of entrepreneurial success on the global stage. One of the most notable alumni is Aadit Palicha, a former student of GEMS Modern Academy, who left Stanford University to co-found Zepto, an Indian grocery delivery start-up now valued at $5 billion.
Through the Next Billion Innovation start-up fund, GEMS aims to support and scale student-led projects, enabling young innovators to attract investment and create real-world impact.
UAE Grants Golden Visas to 16,456 Education Professionals
In a parallel development, the UAE has granted Golden Visas to 16,456 individuals from the education sector, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation.
The recipients include:
- 10,710 top-performing high school graduates
- 5,246 outstanding university graduates
- 337 education specialists
- 147 elite international graduates
- 16 scientists in leading educational fields
Lt. Gen. Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director-General of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security, stated:
“This residency is not just a reward for academic excellence, but a recognition of their dedication to building a better future for our nation.”
The initiative is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to attract global talent, encourage educational excellence, and support future leaders in science, technology, and innovation.
