We believe students learn business by
doing business.
The Onyx Foundation is a student-founded, school-partnered NGO building practical business education for secondary students across India and the UAE.
Based In
Dubai, UAE
Omar Nabil
Founder, Onex Foundation
"I founded the Onex Foundation after noticing that students had no structured platform to explore business ideas practically."
Omar is a student in Dubai with a deep interest in business, finance, and entrepreneurship. His vision for the foundation stems from a commitment to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world execution.
In addition to running the Onex AI Appathon Challenge, he hosts The Compound Effect, a podcast series where he interviews fintech investors, fund managers, and entrepreneurs to explore how business ideas scale.
Why This Competition
Turning Curiosity Into Real-World Thinking
This competition was designed to bridge the gap between learning business concepts and applying them through ideas, strategy, and presentation.
Ideas Without Platforms
Students have creative ideas but very few opportunities to express, test, and refine them in a real-world setting.
Learning Without Application
Business concepts are often taught theoretically, without hands-on experience or practical challenges.
Confidence Comes From Doing
Presenting ideas, receiving feedback, and working in teams helps students build confidence and clarity.
Why Onex Exists
Theory vs. Practice
Students learn business theory but rarely get space to apply it. Onex bridges that gap.
Regional Platforms
School-age entrepreneurs in India and the UAE lack structured, credible platforms to compete and be recognised.
Student-Led Design
Business education is often adult-designed and adult-delivered. Onex is student-led by design.
Program Overview
What We Run
AI Appathon
A blueprint challenge guiding students from problem identification and design thinking to launching a working, AI-powered prototype.
Open to students in Year 5 and above.
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The Compound Effect
Hosted by Omar Nabil, interviewing fintech investors, fund managers, and business founders to bridge theory and practice.
Available on YouTube.
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Portfolio Making
A structured program designed for students to build an investment thesis and present a live stock portfolio.
Launching Cohort 2.
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