(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Ooredoo and Applied Innovation Institute yesterday launched the second Arab Mobile App Challenge to reach out to talented young entrepreneurs and developers in the mobile space.

For the first time, it will be a pan-Arab challenge so that young people from any country in the Arab world can form teams to compete to develop new mobile apps. Launched in 2013, the challenge enables teams of up to six under 35 to develop mobile apps to make an impact on the education, health, entertainment and employability/entrepreneurship sectors. It aims to introduce and educate young Arabs on entrepreneurship, the path to launching a start-up, and to enhance business skills and design abilities.

Such was the success of the first edition that over 15 percent of participants who reached semi-finals now have start-up businesses, fuelling economic growth and creating employment.

The institute's Board Member, Dr Paris Del'Etraz, said: "The app market is growing at a speed we never envisioned, changing the way we interact with the world and transforming opportunities around us. "It is the perfect platform to provide spaces for young Arabs to express ideas, launch start-ups, and develop new and authentic Arabic content that is highly demanded."

Dr Nasser Marafih, Group CEO, Ooredoo, said: "Ooredoo supports projects that enable people to fulfil their dreams and aspirations, and we are focused on entrepreneurial programmes for young people. We are continuing to support the challenge because it enables young people to harness the power and potential of mobile technology to improve their careers and give back to their communities."

Ooredoo supports a rich portfolio of youth entrepreneurial initiatives across its footprint, and is a founding partner of the challenge.

This year the programme has been expanded to offer direct and web-based activities to teams in the Middle East and North Africa, who will join participants in North America and South East Asia in the challenge. With the combined competitor base of three regions, it will be the largest challenge in the world.

Top prizes include $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000 for first, second and third places and a chance to compete in the Global App Challenge in Barcelona, hosted by the Mobile World Congress.

Participants also benefit from support programmes, including mentorship, partner matching and development training to realise their start-up goals. In Qatar, the programme will be supported by Qatar Business Incubation Centre.

Young people wishing to take part in the challenge have three months to register.