RAK FTZ Announces the Startup Champ Competition Winner

Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) has declared Tomas Rosputinsky as the winner of its first-ever RAK FTZ Startup Champ Competition, which aims to recognise an aspiring entrepreneur with an innovative business plan. 

“Our motivation behind the launch of the RAK FTZ Startup Champ Competition is to encourage a new generation of entrepreneurs to realise their dream business,” said Ahmad Numan, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications, RAK FTZ. “Over the years, RAK FTZ has always been active in nurturing startups and SMEs as they are one of the most important growth factors of the UAE’s economy. In fact, we have recently been honoured by the fDi Magazine for our unrelenting startup support.” 

The competition’s Project Manager, Shant Tengerian, Creative Director, RAK FTZ, noted that the initiative has attracted a large number of driven entrepreneurs. “Our aim was to inspire innovation and contribute to the country’s new and ongoing National Innovation Strategy. We received a total of 111 submissions over the course of four weeks and nine contestants were shortlisted to present their business plans to our panel of judges.” 

The qualified judging panel, which comprised of Tomas Csobonyei, Business Development Director of RAK FTZ; Liam Mooney, Managing Director of Blue Pencil; and David Moleshead, Chairman and Founder of Envestors, also provided constructive feedback to all contestants who presented their business plans. 

“We were very thrilled with the enthusiasm that the contestants showed during the Pitch Day at our Boulevard Business Centre in Dubai, it showed how much distinctive skills and capabilities are ready to be part of the UAE’s economy,” added Mr Tengerian.

After a thorough deliberation, Tomas Rosputinsky was named as the grand winner. He will receive a comprehensive business package from RAK FTZ, which includes facility, licence, and business support services. Mr Rosputinsky’s project was an online and mobile app called “Staffino”, which helps customers leave feedback to the staff they meet.

“We are grateful for the tremendous success of the RAK FTZ Startup Champ Competition. This inspires RAK FTZ to strive even further in encouraging the launch of more startup and SME companies by furnishing them with unparalleled client support services, state-of-the-art facilities that match their needs, fast-track company registration processes, and a business environment that is free from taxation,” Mr Numan said.