Rising Innovator Award - for Startup & SME

Celebrating a small business (fewer than 50 employees globally) that has demonstrated exceptional creativity, agility, and impact through innovation—proving that bold ideas can elevate even the most modest ventures to remarkable heights.

The Rising Innovator Award celebrates small businesses that prove bold ideas and exceptional creativity can drive remarkable impact regardless of size. This recognition honors agile companies with fewer than 50 employees globally that are elevating their industries through innovative approaches, demonstrating how entrepreneurial spirit and strategic innovation strengthen the UAE-France business ecosystem and inspire others to reach new heights.

To apply, please make sure you meet the following criteria:

• Be a company with fewer than 50 employees, and not part of a larger group,

• Hold a valid Emirati business license. Please email your business license to coralie.flick(@)ccifranceuae.com

And be at least one of these criteria:

• Be a member of the CCI France UAE (no condition of nationality)
• Be referred by the French Tech Abu Dhabi - Dubai
• Be a French company (a company created by at least one French person) 
• Be a French-founded company initiated abroad of the UAE

The deadline for submitting your application is Wednesday 25 February 2026 at 12pm.