Entrepreneurs to face off in local Dragon's Den

In hopes of winning funding and publicity for their ideas, a group of entrepreneurs will present ideas as diverse from a bridal website to a company that helps prevent the incidence of diabetes in the UAE at a March forum.

The eight entrepreneurial finalists of the inaugural Cert-Wharton Entrepreneurial Planning and Innovation Competition (Epic) at the HCT Global Entrepreneurship 2010 Conference in Dubai, have been announced. The great eight will pitch their innovative concepts to the judging panel at the Venture Finals of the competition during the March 8 event at the Dubai Men's College campus.

The Cert-Wharton Epic finalists include Boutique on Wheels, a low-cost B2B marketing tool through the use of mobile marketing; Lotus Restaurant, an eatery that focuses on serving healthy meals and beverages at lower prices; Miracle Makers, a biotechnology company that seeks to combat the prevalence of diabetes in the UAE; Qahwa Café, a coffee and food products outlet with special services for women; and OrganicMe, an organic products store serving Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim through home delivery.

In addition, PartyRAK, a catering service that focuses on small businesses and home residents; the Tea Haven, a local tea bar; and Yebab.com, an Emirati website targeting UAE brides-to-be, are all hoping to win.

The event is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to jump-start their business and gain visibility and publicity for their ideas.

The eight finalist teams will face off during the contest at the Venture Finals with a 20-minute presentation to judges drawn from the business and venture capital community who will then evaluate the persuasiveness and viability of each innovative business plan.

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