It’s a year that promises much for would-be entrepreneurs with 2022 expected to see record numbers of start-ups.
But, with common wisdom showing that up to nine out of 10 new ventures fail, how do these budding businesses aim to stay in that surviving ten percent.
We’ve lined up a wealth of experience to give attendees of the AB Start-up Forum – the daytime event which also features our Future Falcons pitch contest – on January 26 at the JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai.
As well as two masterclasses – details to be announced soon – and the Falcons contest, an expert panel will offer their practical advice on what it takes to succeed.
Our first panellist Roberto Croci is the managing director of Microsoft for Startups in the Middle East and Africa region.
With over 20 years of experience working for the likes of Microsoft and Google, Roberto Croci’s passion lies in innovation, startups and people. A leading innovator in developing ecosystems where startups thrive, Roberto’s expertise and candid approach have kept him in demand with major tech companies throughout his career.
In his current role as the Managing Director of Microsoft for Startups, Roberto is building Microsoft’s new division from scratch, including spearheading its expansion and innovation strategy, with the vision to foster a collaborative startup ecosystem to create a better, brighter future for people around the world. His vision is to inspire one million students and entrepreneurs to build homegrown tech startups that evolve to become global Unicorns.
He is joined by Derek Watson, the founder of N2 Technology Ltd, a market network for the distribution and sourcing of start-up investment opportunities. N2 is the culmination of 30-plus years in financial markets for the entrepreneur.
Derek founded Wake2o in 2011, a private markets advisory platform. Prior to this, he was a founding partner of Wake Asset Management; a Geneva, Switzerland based $500m Hedge fund manager. As well as running the investment portfolio he headed up new business initiatives and direct Venture Capital Investments, he also sat on the investment committee.
Prior to Wake he was a senior portfolio manager for the Decillion Convertible Arbitrage Fund. He joined from Salomon Brothers where he spent nine years in the Japanese warrants and convertibles proprietary arbitrage group and worked out of London, Zurich and Tokyo.
Another expert who has already walked the start-up path is Sallyann Della Casa, founder of Gleac.com, a human skills platform that automates mentorship.
With over 50,000 workplace situations addressed by high-profile mentors – including female regional CEOs and Nobel Prize winners – Gleac almost immediately provides corporate employees with human skills-based-feedback on their everyday challenges.
As a woman in tech, the former Careem executive has overcome funding and product-rolling hurdles to reach a level of success where Gleac is now powering the UAE Pavilion’s Jobs of the Future section at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Completing the lineup is Scott Cairns, founder and managing director of Creation Business Consultants, a leading UAE and GCC business structuring expert.
A results-driven leader and entrepreneur Scott brings more than 25 years of experience in global corporate management within challenging and emerging markets.
From company formation, whether onshore, offshore or free zone to corporate restructuring and market entry solutions and business feasibility studies, Scott has advised numerous start-ups on their paths.
A Fellow of CPA Australia, he is a member of the CPA Committee, UAE and also volunteers as a mentor for MBA and final year students in the Alumni Mentoring Network at Monash University in Melbourne. His real world view helps entrepreneurs tally up the hidden costs of starting out, and offers insights on the pitfalls to be avoided.
From company formation, whether onshore, offshore or free zone to corporate restructuring and market entry solutions and business feasibility studies, Scott has advised numerous start-ups on their paths.
A Fellow of CPA Australia, he is a member of the CPA Committee, UAE and also volunteers as a mentor for MBA and final year students in the Alumni Mentoring Network at Monash University in Melbourne. His real world view helps entrepreneurs tally up the hidden costs of starting out, and offers insights on the pitfalls to be avoided.
To enter, simply fill in the form below with a brief synopsis of your idea. You also have the option to upload a 30-second video elevator pitch. A selection of these may be published on arabianbusiness.com (though publication is no guarantee of shortlisting for the final).
The winner will be announced in the evening at the Etihad Museum in Dubai, built on the spot where the United Arab Emirates was founded, at the Arabian Business Awards 2021, which will look back at the last 50 years, and capture the excitement for the decades ahead with a day of insights and an evening of celebration.
In our first industry ‘Oscars’, to be presented at a spectacular gala dinner, a host of honours are up for grabs with 10 industries being awarded, two winners from each category – with one marking five decades of success and one honouring the innovators of the future.
To enter, simply fill in the form below with a brief synopsis of your idea. You also have the option to upload a 30-second video elevator pitch. A selection of these may be published on arabianbusiness.com (though publication is no guarantee of shortlisting for the final).
The winner will be announced in the evening at the Etihad Museum in Dubai, built on the spot where the United Arab Emirates was founded, at the Arabian Business Awards 2021, which will look back at the last 50 years, and capture the excitement for the decades ahead with a day of insights and an evening of celebration.
In our first industry ‘Oscars’, to be presented at a spectacular gala dinner, a host of honours are up for grabs with 10 industries being awarded, two winners from each category – with one marking five decades of success and one honouring the innovators of the future.
