From idea to proof.
From proof to possibility

IMR begins with an open call for young GCC Nationals aged 19-23 who have an idea they believe could make a real difference. You may be at university, recently graduated, already working on your idea, or simply ready to take the first serious step.

At this stage, your idea does not need to be perfect. You do not need a finished business plan or a working product. What matters is that you can clearly explain the problem you want to solve, who it matters to, why your idea is different, and what you would do next with the right support.

Applications may come through universities, partners, institutions, youth networks, or directly through the IMR open call. If your idea shows promise, this is where your journey begins.

IMR is not looking for the most polished speaker or the most finished presentation. We are looking for young GCC Nationals with strong ideas, clear thinking, commitment, and the potential to lead and build something meaningful.

Your application will be reviewed through a structured selection process. This helps us understand the problem you want to solve, the strength of your idea, how realistic it is, who it could help, and how ready you are to learn, improve, and take action.

The process is designed to be transparent and trusted. Applications are checked, scored, reviewed, and discussed before decisions are made. This gives every applicant a fair opportunity and gives universities, partners, and supporters confidence that IMR is run with care and integrity.

If you are selected, you will enter a structured bootcamp designed to help you think like a founder. You will test your assumptions, listen to feedback, understand your audience, and start turning your idea into a stronger venture case.

With support from mentors and experts, you will explore the problem in more depth, identify who your idea is really for, understand what makes your solution different, and work out what it would take to build it.

You will also learn how to explain your idea clearly and confidently. By the end of this stage, you should have more than enthusiasm. You should have clearer evidence, stronger thinking, and a more focused plan for what comes next.

This decision is not based only on how exciting the idea sounds. It is based on which teams have shown real progress, clear thinking, openness to feedback, and the ability to turn their idea into something practical.

We look at how well each team understands the problem, who they are building for, what evidence they have gathered, and whether their solution can realistically be developed into a prototype. We also look at commitment, teamwork, founder mindset, and the ability to keep improving.

The selected teams then move into a more focused build phase. Their ideas are shaped into clear prototype plans, with the right scope, priorities, risks, and next steps.

As a finalist, you will begin building a prototype that helps people understand, test, and believe in your idea. It may be a product model, a digital demo, a service experience, a technical proof, or another practical way to show how your solution could work.

You will not be expected to do this alone. You will receive support to define what should be built, what matters most, what risks need to be managed, and what evidence your prototype needs to show.

This stage is about moving beyond words. You will learn what it takes to turn an idea into something practical, visible, and credible. By the end, you should have proof that helps others see the potential of what you are building.

Finalist teams present their prototypes, explain the problem they are solving, and share the potential of their venture. This is not just about giving a speech. It is about showing real progress, clear thinking, and practical proof.

You will present in front of judges, partners, mentors, institutions, and potential supporters who want to see what young GCC founders can create. They will look at the strength of your idea, the quality of your prototype, the problem you are solving, the impact you could make, and your ability to keep building.

The showcase gives you visibility, but more importantly, it gives you credibility. It is a chance to be seen, heard, challenged, and supported by people who may help you take the next step.

The winning concept receives one year of post-award mentoring and support to help the founder or team continue building after the event. This support is designed to help turn prototype proof into a clearer, stronger, and more realistic business pathway.

After the showcase, you may need to improve your prototype, speak to potential customers, explore partnerships, prepare for an accelerator, approach investors, or plan your next stage of growth. IMR helps you stay focused, supported, and accountable as you take those next steps.

This matters because real ventures are not built in one event. They are built through progress, persistence, guidance, and the right people around you.