GEMS Education has announced the winners of the 2025 Global Innovation Challenge (GIC) and Plug and Play Tech Center Incubator.
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GEMS Education has announced the winners of the 2025 Global Innovation Challenge (GIC) and Plug and Play Tech Center Incubator.
GEMS Education has announced the winners of the 2025 Global Innovation Challenge (GIC) and Plug and Play Tech Center Incubator, marking its eighth edition with over 10,000 student entries and 1,500 shortlisted participants across two showcase events. The GIC encourages young innovators within the GEMS network to develop solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, covering themes like clean energy, health, sustainability, education, and equality.
This year’s competition expanded through a strategic partnership with Silicon Valley’s Plug and Play Tech Center, granting participants access to a global innovation pipeline shared by startups like PayPal and Dropbox. The collaboration also welcomed entries from teachers, parents, and alumni.
Over five months, eight GIC teams and three alumni underwent mentorship, prototype development, and investor pitching. Winners gain seed funding, incubation, and commercialisation opportunities from a Dh3.67 million ($1 million) seed fund announced earlier this year.
Judges selected 41 ‘Gold Teams’ to progress, with senior category winners including:
First Place: StridSense (GEMS Metropole School) – a smart insole and app for early knee osteoarthritis detection.
Second Place: AudiMold (GEMS Wellington Academy) – a customizable, affordable hearing aid using 3D printing.
Third Place: EcoSign (GEMS Modern Academy) – an AI-powered sign language translation platform.
Junior category top prize went to SeeMate (GEMS Millennium School), an AI app aiding visually impaired users, followed by Smart Safety’s smart helmet.
Plug and Play Incubator winners received awards for innovation in soil restoration, biodegradable products, plastic pollution, and worker health.
The awards ceremony featured GEMS leaders Sunny Varkey, Dino Varkey, Jay Varkey, and Lisa Crausby OBE. GIC supports the UAE’s vision of a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy and aligns with initiatives like Dubai Future Solutions and the National Agenda for Entrepreneurship and SMEs.
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