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Saeed Alnofeli is the Director of in5 and joined the business incubator with a mandate to drive innovation across Dubai’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in 2020. He is responsible for supporting startups and members of the enabling platform by turning early-stage startups into commercially viable ventures. With 15 years of commercial, telecommunications, technology, and command and control systems experience, Saeed’s unique skillset has enabled local firms to take their idea from concept to prototype to market. Prior to joining in5, he worked with the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center as a Programs Manager where he trained, mentored and graduated over 100 startups at pre-seed and seed stage. As Co-Founder and CEO of tech startup Jamalytic, which has brought cutting-edge data analytics capabilities to the billion- dollar camel racing industry, Saeed has a track record of developing successful homegrown companies and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship in the UAE. He holds a Master’s in Engineering Systems and Management with a specialisation in technology management, innovation and entrepreneurship from the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Security and Network Technologies from Zayed University.

With over 17 years of marketing expertise and advisory roles spanning multiple industries, including technology, sustainable real estate, luxury retail, and media, Mohammad has demonstrated a profound ability to drive growth and innovation. Beginning his career at Microsoft, he quickly established a foundation in database management and customer service. This foundation was built upon with roles at Publicies Group, where he developed and implemented media campaigns for high-profile clients like Emirates Airlines and DAMAC Properties, demonstrating a keen understanding of market dynamics across the GCC, MENA, and Europe. His career trajectory took a notable turn towards luxury and retail marketing at Al Tayer Group, managing marketing operations for global brands such as Armani and Bloomingdale’s Dubai, where they executed comprehensive marketing strategies encompassing events, promotions, and customer relationship management. This role honed his skills in brand management and set the stage for subsequent leadership positions. The shift towards sustainable real estate marketing at Mubadala, showcased his ability to lead marketing strategies that underscore sustainability and innovation. Here, he led digital and onground marketing campaigns that promoted Masdar City as a leading destination for sustainable development, attracting investment and enhancing community engagement. Currently, as a Manager at TECOM Group’s Marketing Strategy and Communications team, he oversees business development and corporate marketing for Dubai Internet City and In5 Dubai. His strategic vision focuses on lead generation, brand campaigns, and driving investments to support Dubai’s tech ecosystem and startup incubator, highlighting his adeptness in navigating the complexities of marketing in the digital age. His educational background, with a Bachelor of Business Administration from the American University in Dubai, complements his professional experiences, providing a solid theoretical foundation for his marketing acumen. This blend of knowledge and diverse professional experiences makes Mohammad a dynamic marketing professional capable of leading innovative marketing strategies in various sectors.

COO

Ahmad, originally from Lebanon, is a seasoned professional who relocated to the UAE in 2008. With a degree in mechanical engineering, he has forged a successful career across diverse industries, such as Oil & Gas, FMCG, Dairy, and now Agriculture. Currently, as a key member of the Alesca team, Ahmad is leading the expansion in the GCC region. Alesca’s dedication to advancing agricultural technology and sustainability is evident as they launched multiple farms in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, contributing significantly to the growth of the agritech sector

Erika graduated with Honours in her Bachelor of Laws from Macquarie University, Sydney Australia. She has corporate legal and finance experience in both private practice and as a Corporate Counsel from working for a combined total of 6+ years. Erika has extensive commercial experience and is capable drafting a variety of commercial contracts and agreements, participating in project management, attention to detail with legal compliance and regulatory changes and providing practical business advice for avoiding risks as well as optimising internal company procedure. She is particularly curious at the intersection of innovation and law within the web 3 space and takes a keen interest in NFTs, DeFi projects, DAOs and Cryptocurrencies. She is highly interested at how the regulatory space will pivot and invite the web 3 industry to merge with its current practices and ways of thinking. She is also deeply passionate about personal growth and a holistic approach to life. In 2020, she founded The Balance Theory Podcast to inspire thousands of people globally to own and define their own sense of balance, in an attempt to share the self growth journey with many others on a similar path. It has been a several time top #2 podcast in Australia and top #50 around the world. She also has entrepreneurial experience, having co-founded ES FIT, an Australian ecommerce business aimed at empowering women to stand in their own confidence and strength through their fitness. Due to her varied background and extensive experience, she has exceptional analytical, critical thinking and strategic problem-solving skills. She is comfortable in fast moving environments that are multi-tasked, and has a keen enthusiasm to learn new things.

I am a highly motivated and exceedingly capable business leader in the media, advertising & digital spaces. I have a proven track record building high performing teams and driving business growth both in start up and established business environments. I specialise in constructing practical strategies that deliver high valued client solutions enabling powerful win/wins for our clients and ourselves. Whether it be connecting to the c-suite, inspiring line management, creative ideas for marketing or efficiency with operations I know that people need to derive genuine value from the connections you make with them, especially when the environment is competitive. I love working with people to create opportunities and solve problems.

Avi is a Deep Tech Futurist. A technology evangelist who studies and foresees changing trends in technology. He differentiates impactful cornerstone technologies from vapourware and helps institutions be disruption ready. He does this by developing business continuity and evolution plans, after analysing the impact and use case of such technologies. Interdisciplinary Knowledge of both Hard and Soft Trends & his exposure to nebulous technologies, their trends and business impacts, enables Avi to help his partners achieve a competitive advantage by becoming industry innovators. He believes that, by changing their course of action now, by embracing new technologies, Businesses will be better equipped to fulfil the changing needs of the future. Starting his career working with Google, Avi has a demonstrated history of working in Industry, having worked high-pedigree corporate powerhouses such as Samsung, HP, Panasonic, Schneider, JBM, MINDA Group, Havells, etc At Twyn Avi is currently transforming the manufacturing industry with the Digital Smart Factories initiative. Under his leadership, the Innovation Team at Twyn has successfully developed their industry-acclaimed “LIICDT” Digital Twin Platform for making Industrial Metaverse a reality.

Will is the Founder and CEO of LMTD, one of the top independent creative agencies in the Middle East, which started life in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the summer of 2012. As CEO, his focus is to grow the business, lead organizational strategy, and guide company culture. LMTD has partnered with notable clients such as Etihad Airways, Philips, and Ford. Before founding LMTD, he ran global initiatives as a managing partner for Carrot Creative, a New York City-based social media agency. He also served as the Managing Editor for The Walt Disney Company, specializing in global theatrical movie launches, growing them to over 300 Million fans on Facebook,and taking part in the first-ever promoted tweet on Twitter.

Dr. Shahdadpuri is a trailblazing entrepreneur, steadfastly committed to catalyzing positive change in the communities she touches. With an unwavering zeal for innovation and spearheading transformation, she has reshaped the trajectory of global enterprises. Among her notable achievements, she pioneered the Young Entrepreneurs Incubation Centre at the University of California and steered pivotal initiatives like the Opioid Collaborative Task Force, COVID Task Force, Affordable Care Act and the Right Care Initiative for Diabetics with Heart Disease on both state and national levels. With a rich tapestry of 28 years in diverse sectors – spanning healthcare, technology, and trading across varied global geographies – Dr. Shahdadpuri stands out as a dynamic force in advancing disease management and behavioural health in the US. After an influential tenure at the C-suite echelon in Centene Corporation, a FORTUNE® 50 titan boasting revenues surpassing $145 Billion, she embarked on a poignant journey back to Dubai. Her return was underpinned by the profound realization of COVID-19’s global impact and the paramount value of familial bonds. Currently, as the Managing Director she’s now architecting the future at Nikai Group, a nexus of consumer goods, FMCG, next-gen logistics, technology, and holistic healthcare solutions, with an expansive footprint in 60+ countries and a clientele exceeding 60Million. The Nikai Group, under the stewardship of a Managing Director is likely to leverage its role as a limited principal in investments with a nuanced understanding of global markets, healthcare, technology, and consumer goods. This strategy emphasizes resilience, global impact, and the integration of investments with the Group’s broader mission and operational strengths. As she stands on the cusp of unveiling a behavioral health startup in the Middle East, Dr. Shahdadpuri seeks to amplify her impact, addressing the often-neglected mental wellness sphere in the GCC Region. Beyond her professional triumphs, she’s a certified advanced scuba diving instructor with a fervent ardor for marine ecosystems. Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and curate a life that resonates with pride.

His Excellency Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi is a Senior Partner at Global Ventures and Chairman of ENBD REIT and Edelman Middle East. Most recently, he served as the Chief Investment Officer at G42. Prior to G42, he was the Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, where he was tasked with expanding private sector activity in the Emirate. He held leadership roles at various institutions, including Emirates NBD, Mubadala and Citibank. He also sits on a number of boards, including Gulf Capital, UAE University, DGCX and Emirates Post Group. He holds a PhD in Economics from Imperial College London and graduate (Master’s) degrees from Columbia University and London Business School. He has an undergraduate degree in business from Clayton State University. He is also a member of YPO.

Founder of Mamahood, a seasoned entrepreneur and business development professional with over a decade of diverse industry experience.

Meghan Gregonis is the United States Consul General in Dubai starting August, 2021. A career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service, Meghan was the U.S. Consul General in Munich, Germany from 2018-2021. She managed support for the two largest in-person U.S. delegations and the first virtual delegation to the Munich Security Conference during her time there. She also focused on innovation themes in Germany and launched the first Germany-wide Transatlantic Innovation Week to further develop innovation and trade and investment relationships. Meghan’s previous overseas assignments include Islamabad, Riyadh, Rome, Baghdad, and Jerusalem. Her Washington assignments include directing public engagement efforts in Europe; managing relations with Turkey from the State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs; and coordinating U.S. engagement with Jordan from the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Meghan was also responsible for relations with Turkey during an assignment to the White House, where she served as a member of the National Security Council. Meghan is a distinguished graduate of the National War College and an alumna of New York University. She has completed graduate studies at Temple University and earned professional certifications from the University of Southern California and MIT’s Seminar XXI for national security professionals. Meghan speaks Italian and German, and basic French and Arabic. She worked for a venture capital firm in her hometown of Philadelphia before joining the Foreign Service in 2001. Meghan is accompanied in Dubai by her husband, Dr. Alessio Volante.

PODCASTS | Founder and Director of ‘Pineapple Audio Production’, which specialises in the production of podcasts. Clients have included Heart, Grazia, CNBC, Marie Claire, Aramco, The Telegraph, Metro.co.uk and the chart-topping ‘Love Island: The Morning After’ podcast for ITV. RADIO | An award-winning, high-achieving audio producer who previously produced station sound, imaging and trails for the Heart network’s biggest national campaigns. Clients included Sky (the biggest UK commercial radio partnership at the time), Netflix, Disney, Santander, Sony and Sainsbury’s. AWARDS AND HONOURS | Radio Academy’s 30-Under-30 Award in 2016, and 2018 | Honorary Life Member of the Student Radio Association 2019 | Rising Star Award by The Times and We Are The City 2019 | Non-exec Advisor on the board of the Student Radio Association 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Ned leads Lancor’s practice in the MENA region, working on executive and board searches for tech scaleups, regional conglomerates as well as international TMT companies looking to expand in the region. Previously, he held senior roles at exited startups in the US and the Middle East, and launched the first international startup incubator in MENA, in partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation. He has also worked with private and public sector organizations like AWS, Intel, CA Technologies, UAE Prime Minister’s Office, and Expo 2020 Dubai, where he established and ran lines of business and innovation functions in the UAE, Middle East, Europe, and Africa. He has served as founding Board Member, United Nations ICT Arab Task Force; Board Member, Young Arab Leaders; founding President, Stanford UAE Alumni Club; Executive Committee Member, INSEAD UAE NAA; and Steering Committee Member, in5 Tech Innovation Centre. Ned holds an M.S. from Stanford University, a B.S. from Northeastern University, and an Executive Education Certificate in Management from INSEAD.

Amjad Masad is a Jordanian American entrepreneur and engineer. He is the founder and CEO of Replit, the world’s leading online programming environment and community. Before Replit, Amjad worked at Facebook, overseeing the JavaScript infrastructure team and building some of the world’s most popular open-source developer tools. Before that, he was a founding engineer at Codecademy, the world’s leading online coding school.

Assembly Global (previously ForwardPMX) helps brands to ‘find the change that fuels growth’. We offer a full suite of digital-first marketing services including digital and traditional media buying, research, planning, website search optimisation and measurement, web development, data strategy, social media management.

Rohith Reddy Gopu, the Founder, CEO, and CTO of TYNYBAY, wears multiple hats with a profound passion for Cloud Native and Generative AI technologies. He leads a team of over 40 engineers, focusing on building AI-driven copilots designed to empower individuals. His entrepreneurial journey started during his college years, assisting non-tech founders in developing their product ideas.Amassing over 15 years of experience, Rohith has made significant contributions to the tech sector. Rohith is deeply invested in building tech communities.

Omar Al-Shabaan is an Entrepreneur, Business Developer, and a consultant with around 20 years of work experience, he is the co-founder and CEO of The Space. He was leading Partnerships at Misk Innovation, a subsidiary of Misk Foundation, as well as serving as a short-term consultant with The World Bank group on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and was an Advisor for the National Digitization Unit. He co-founded The Space, a Saudi company focused on developing and operating coworking spaces, incubators, and accelerators. Omar has worked previously in Nestle, Healthcare Development Holding group, and Tam Development where he contributed in the latest to creating multiple public engagement programs in the Kingdom and regionally. Omar has an MBA from IE business school in Madrid, and an Executive Master in Corporate Communication from the same school.

Hammam Attar stands out as a Venture Building Principal at BIM Ventures a leading Saudi venture studio, leveraging his rich experience as a Strategic Planning Director at the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority in Saudi. With a solid foundation in technology analysis from his time at Accenture, Hammam excels in strategic planning, financial oversight, and pioneering digital transformation projects, notably the E-Invoicing National Project. Holding a BS in Accounting from KFUPM and certified in Strategy and Business Planning, his expertise is pivotal in driving strategic growth and innovation within the Saudi market.

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As a fund portfolio director, I oversee the investment strategy and management of a fund portfolio. My role involves analyzing market trends, assessing risk, and making strategic investment decisions to optimize returns. I also monitor the performance of the portfolio, adjusting investments as needed, and communicate with clients or stakeholders. My background as a General Manager likely provides me with valuable leadership and management skills that complement my managements expertise in this role.

As a fund portfolio director, I oversee the investment strategy and management of a fund portfolio. My role involves analyzing market trends, assessing risk, and making strategic investment decisions to optimize returns. I also monitor the performance of the portfolio, adjusting investments as needed, and communicate with clients or stakeholders. My background as a General Manager likely provides me with valuable leadership and management skills that complement my managements expertise in this role.

Atul is co-founder and CEO of LivLyt, a workforce tech platform for new-age companies. LivLyt enables businesses to manage SaaS, Devices & IT for teams, and optimize tech spends. Before founding LivLyt, Atul worked at Careem for 5+ years, based out of its Dubai HQ, as regional director of Operations & BD, and Chief of Staff. Prior to Careem, he spent over a decade at Mckinsey & Co, KPMG and Yum Brands, in various strategy, operations and commercial roles. Atul holds a Bachelors in Technology, and Masters in Business Administration. Atul is passionate about tech and building impact-driven businesses.

Founder of YP Club – one of the fastest growing business communities in the UAE.

As the Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft in the UAE, Maitha oversees, the overall operations of the business, the growth strategy and execution for Microsoft UAE. She has experience in various industries ranging from Cloud, Telecom and Management consultancy, she holds an MBA from Oxford’s Said Business School. Prior to joining Microsoft Maitha served as a Management Consultant in McKinsey & Company working with clients across the MENA region on growth and digital strategies. She has also worked at e& as a cloud solutions manager and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the American University of Sharjah.

Cody Combs is a Future Editor for The National, where he reports on the innovations and trends that will be impacting our world for years to come. He is also host of The National’s Business Extra podcast. Cody explores topics such artificial intelligence, consumer technology, societal trends, energy and climate, as well as other topics we probably can’t imagine yet. He has an extensive background in reporting and content creation, and is constantly looking for new ways to tell stories through the use of various platforms. Previously, Cody worked in the United States as a broadcast journalist and an investigative reporter. He earned his master’s degree in journalism from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Before pursuing his master’s degree, he worked at CNN’s Washington Bureau.

Sophie is the Founder and CEO of Nabta Health, the women’s health company. Prior to founding Nabta, Sophie worked as a technology consultant for Accenture, and then launched a number of impact startups, including myZindagi (a doctor-finding platform in Pakistan) and Le Plastics (a waste-plastics-to-roads company in Sierra Leone). Sophie’s lifetime ambition is to empower all women to effectively manage their health. Sophie read History at the University of Cambridge and completed an MBA with Quantic School of Business and Technology.

Reda Nidhakou is the Acting CEO VentureOne, the commercialization arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). He is responsible for establishing the entity, managing its initial operations, and commercializing the first set of technologies developed by ATRC’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII), and the creation of dedicated ventures to productize and commercialize select technologies. With 12 years of experience in strategy and program management, Nidhakou also oversees strategic initiatives, acquisitions, and the incubation of new ventures within ATRC and Abu Dhabi’s broader ecosystem.

Wael Ismail is the Vice President for Corporate Affairs for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, as well as Head of the Office of Sustainability for the Middle East. Wael joined PepsiCo in 2016 and has assumed several roles within the Public Policy and Government Affairs function. Since then, he has been focusing on developing and advocating for “win-win” public policy solutions. Ismail took over the combined Public Policy and Communications function for PepsiCo in the MENA region in January 2019 before his current role. He is a Public Affairs professional with experience spanning 15 years with a special focus on the Middle East. He is also part of the Global Corporate Affairs Leadership Team for PepsiCo.

Kaoutar is the founder of QALIL, a food-saving app that connects overstock from food distributors, manufacturers, and local businesses like shops, restaurants, and bakeries with consumers looking to make mindful purchases. Her objective is to prevent food loss while providing affordable options for both B2B and B2C markets. She’s also a big supporter of women leading in business, especially in tech and green projects, inspiring other women to step up and make a difference.

Sophie Thomas is the ex-Corporate Strategy Leader, CIO and CHRO for the largest Professional Services Firm in the region. She left the corporate world 2 years ago to found the Growth Pod, which supports female and neurodivergent entrepreneurs launch and grow their passion and purpose driven businesses. She’s a mum of 3, and received her Autism, ADHD and Dyspraxia diagnosis at 40, at the same time as her then 7 year old son received his. Her diagnosis was instrumental in her change in professional direction, where she was walking the thin line between professional success and burnout. She’s passionate about her neurodiverse superpowers, advocating for accommodations and inclusion so that neurodiverse employees can belong and thrive, rather than fit in and strive.

Inas is a project management and leadership professional with over 20 years of experience. Inas has held senior executive roles in private and government entities in the UAE , as well as various USAID funded projects in Jordan serving local communities. As soon as Inas graduated with honors from Princes Sumaya University in Amman, she realized her passion for utilizing technology to enhance peoples’ life. Her determination to combine it with solid management and leadership led her to become a certified project management professional (PMP) turning ideas and plans into tangible projects.

Amelie is a dynamic marketing leader with a decade of experience in fintech, blockchain, and Web3, boasting a history of pioneering and award-winning contributions to these sectors. Featured by Fast Company, Vice, and the BBC for her hands-on experience in crypto, she has traveled the globe, paying exclusively in Bitcoin, to highlight the potential and challenges of digital finance. At Zumo, she directs global sales and marketing, and is dedicated to helping financial institutions launch digital asset and cryptocurrency propositions while aligning with net-zero principles, demonstrating a profound commitment to sustainable development. In the UAE, she is leveraging Zumo’s expertise to guide pioneers in digital assets to capture MENA’s $1.68bn revenue opportunity, understand the carbon footprint of these assets, and align with the Emirati leadership’s sustainability priorities.

Zoltan is co-founder & CEO of Eversync, a seed-staged end-to-end operations monitoring & automation software company. Prior to that he was Managing Director at Delivery Hero Hungary and consulted Fortune 500 executives on digital & IT transformation topics as advisor at McKinsey & Company. He holds a Masters degree in Strategy & International Management from University of St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Dr. Mohammad Rasouli is a thought leader in AI and technology for investment. He is Stanford AI researcher, former Microsoft engineer, and ex-McKinsey consultant from the Bay Area and the New York offices. He is the author of “”AI for Investment: A Platform Disruption””. Mohammad is passionate about automating investment, as the new Turing test for AI. He is in the process of building a best of breed AI platform for investment funds with his team and in conversation with fund managers. Mohammad has managed AI activation of top-20 private equities and many other funds to automate the fund investment processes and their portfolio companies as a consultant. As an AI researcher, his papers on AI for markets in top AI conferences and journals have 450+ citations. Also, as an educator, he has co-taught a course at Stanford Graduate School of Business for “”Empirics of Online Markets””. He has PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, working with Nobel prize winners, and MSc in Economics. Mohammad leads the AI for Investment team, publishes and speaks at investment venues, and runs the AI for Investment webinars.

Entrepreneur, manager and author, specialized in new business set up, strategy related to Artificial Intelligence, environmental markets, CO2 management

As a professional at the intersection of sustainability, decarbonization, and consulting, Alaa, brings a wealth of experience to drive positive environmental impact and strategic business transformation. Throughout his career, Alaa has successfully partnered with diverse organizations, leveraging his knowledge and insights to develop and implement effective ESG and decarbonization strategies. He excels in analyzing complex systems, identifying areas for improvement, and crafting bespoke solutions that align with both environmental stewardship and business objectives. He has a proven track record of assisting leading companies across the MENA region in developing their sustainability strategies, navigating the evolving landscape of sustainability regulations, and reporting requirements, optimizing resource utilization, and integrating sustainability into the core of operations. Alaa is a Certified Energy Manager with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Lebanese American University.

Ahmed, born and raised in the UAE has built his experience within the advertising industry ever since he graduated from university. Ahmed comes with a wealth of knowledge having been in the digital industry for 7+ years, working in the data science team at Publicis, and handling the social presence of major brands the like of Mastercard, Mercedes-Benz, Riyadh Air, and McDonald’s currently at FP7 McCann. He also holds a master’s degree in digital studies. Ahmed’s superpower is his positive attitude which allows him to have an incredible work ethic and coherent thinking that contributes to his reliability as a team player. Ahmed’s motto: If you set your goals ridiculously high and it’s a failure, you will fail above everyone else’s success!

Khaled Talhouni, the founding Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital, has established a $100 million fund aimed at catalyzing early-stage MENAPT ventures. His approach goes beyond mere funding; he provides a full-fledged support platform for startups, encompassing everything from initial funding to growth and venture debt products. A seasoned investor, Khaled’s portfolio boasts over 150 early-stage transactions, with a keen focus on regional market solutions and responsive entrepreneurship. With a solid foundation from Duke University and a track record of significant investments at Wamda Capital and twofour54, Khaled’s hands-on experience shapes his role as a leading contributor to the venture capital dialogue and the advancement of technology in emerging markets.

Onur Elgun is Co-founder & CEO of CarbonSifr, a UAE-founded climate technology startup. CarbonSifr’s innovative tech solutions enables businesses to easily measure, reduce and remove their carbon footprint while engaging their customers for tangible climate action. Prior to building CarbonSifr, most recently Onur was VP of Strategy at Talabat MENA for 4 years sky-rocketing Talabat’s growth in the region and expanding its product offering. Prior to Talabat, Onur worked at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) for more than 8 years during which he advised C-suites and boards of leading government and private organisations on their most pressing issues – with specific focus on strategy development, impact assessment, digitization and customer journey transformation – mainly in the GCC and Europe. Onur is married with 3 children and enjoys living in the UAE since 2007

Haninder P. Singh is a seasoned entrepreneur and builder. He started his career with Booz & Company, advising Fortune 100 enterprises and Governments. He moved to the Middle East in 2014 to manage a high-growth ecommerce venture, leading its strategy and analytics function, raising a $10m bridge loan, and managing 30+ due diligence. He further managed the winding down of the venture in 2016, which had raised $100m+ venture capital since its inception. After personally experiencing a shortage of talent in strategy and management in the Middle East, Haninder decided to build StrategyConnect

Conor Gilmore is co-founder and CEO at Avantgarde Middle East and heads up marketing for Avantgarde globally. He is responsible for running Avantgarde’s asset management operations in the UAE and GCC, which includes liaising with regulators, launching new crypto funds to market and managing investor relations.

Muhammad Lila is a Warzone Correspondent (CNN, ABC) and the founder of Goodable, a science-backed platform that uses AI to deliver positive mental health programming to any screen or device in the world. He led Goodable from inception to one of the world’s fastest growing media platforms, reaching more than 100+ million screens per month worldwide.

Alexander Epure, CEO & Co-Founder of Qureos, is dedicated to transforming 100 million careers. With a diverse journey spanning Sweden, the Netherlands, and Dubai, Alexander offers a global viewpoint. His impactful roles at Swvl and Cisco, including pioneering Swvl’s Middle East expansion and achieving 300% business growth at Cisco, underscore his expertise. Inspired by mentorship, he founded Qureos, merging EdTech and HRTech to empower over 700K individuals with upskilling and seamless recruitment technology for MENA.

Ferakh Lakhany, a versatile individual with a wealth of experience spanning education, media, and communications. With a robust blend of technical prowess and managerial finesse, Ferakh boasts a proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget. As Co-Founder, arabee Education, innovating Arabic Language for children, Ferakh spearheaded Business Development, Sales and Marketing showcasing an unparalleled commitment to education. Her consultancy work across multiple regions, including the UAE, UK, and Pakistan, underscores Ferakh’s adaptability and expertise. Ferakh’s journey is marked by remarkable milestones, from leading educational and cultural centres to orchestrating press operations for global events. Her educational background, including a Masters from Cambridge coupled with fluency in multiple languages, epitomizes a global mindset. Beyond professional endeavours, Ferakh’s passion for literature, cinema, and travel illuminates a well-rounded individual driven by curiosity and cultural appreciation, always willing to help if she can.

Across a 20-year career Daniel has advised +200 governments, economic jurisdictions and MNE’s across 50 countries: occupying positions of responsibility for industry leaders including UK Trade & Investment, London & Partners, Enterprise Florida whereby he led teams generating more than 5,000 jobs from foreign investors. Daniel’s current role is Senior Vice President of Marketing & Business Growth at Dubai Silicon Oasis; a leading Free Zone and a key contributor to the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority. Current partnerships Daniel is leading on include initiatives with Emirates Development Bank, Dubai Chambers International, Dubai Economy & Tourism and MIT DesignX. Daniel is a Certified International Negotiator, CIN™ via the Chartered Institute of Professional Certifications and a member of the Institute for Global Negotiation (IGN) in Zurich, Switzerland.

Maria Paula ‘MP’ Oliveira is the Senior Vice President, Business Excellence, for Mastercard EEMEA (Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa). MP leads the Strategy, M&A, Pricing, Analytics, and Sales enablement functions, empowering the business to thrive across 80+ countries. In a career spanning 20+ years, MP has worked in Latin America, Silicon Valley-USA, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East in senior leadership positions in corporations and startups across financial services, professional services, and payments. An advocate for equality for all in the workplace and passionate about technology and business innovation, MP is particularly interested in how startups and corporations collaborate to create disruptive offerings that shape a better future.

Ahmad is the AI Practice Lead at Google Cloud based in Dubai helping clients in the MEA region to transform their businesses with AI. Ahmad is an author and keynote speaker at major Data & AI conferences globally and in the region. Before joining Google, Ahmad had the privilege to work for leading tech companies (e.g., IBM, SAP, BAE Systems) where he led large-scale data science projects for top organizations across industries and geographies (Europe, MEA, Asia Pacific). Ahmad is a Ph.D. in Computer Science, with specialization in AI & Search. His scientific contributions are published at major international conferences and books.

Aya is not your average PR, Marketing, and Events Executive – She brings a unique twist to the table. With a solid track record of rocking successful campaigns and events, she makes waves in the business growth and brand reputation game. With a background in product design, Aya adds a touch of creativity and innovation to everything she does. She strongly believes that good design isn’t just for products; it’s for crafting memorable campaigns and events that stand out. Multilingual and ready to roll, she speaks English, French, and Arabic fluently, allowing her to connect with diverse audiences, and bring a global perspective to every project. So, whether it’s strategizing killer PR and marketing plans, cooking up engaging content, or throwing an event that people won’t stop talking about, she is the person!

Julie is the co-founder of Crunchmoms, the first and only private network in the Middle East for women at all stages of their careers and motherhood. Inspired by her transition into motherhood, she is balancing her greatest role as an entrepreneur and mother and is determined to redefine modern motherhood standards. She is the visionary and driving force behind the region’s most influential community and network for women and aims to inspire meaningful change in the workplace. Prior to Crunchmoms, Julie was a global innovation and marketing leader for a global engineering firm and held various senior positions. She was part of the core global team responsible for the company’s digital transformation and led the industry’s first mart city programs across the USA, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Julie graduated with a BA in Economics and Business Administration from UT Austin. Julie is currently based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and has lived between Austin, Texas, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Amsterdam, Netherlands. She is an active member and speaker within the startup community and passionate about empowering women and building a community of innovators, entrepreneurs, and marketers.

Mona is an esteemed Agile Transformation Consultant with notable success in leading corporates and startups across Egypt and the Gulf, including Islamic Bank of Development and Unilever, towards agility. She excels in Agile methodologies, offering trusted advice for adopting Agile practices. As the founder of “Agile بالعربي,” a popular YouTube channel with over 10,000 subscribers, Mona delivers essential Agile insights through 200+ videos, making it a prime resource for Agile newcomers. Beyond her channel, she has crafted a unique Agile transformation framework, drawing from extensive hands-on experience, which has significantly benefited organizations in their Agile adoption. Mona’s dedication to Agile education, combined with her impactful coaching and innovative framework, underscores her role as a pivotal figure in the Agile community, aiding over 25,000 online students and numerous organizations in their Agile journeys.

Paul leads the product development for Al-Futtaim’s lifestyle platform Blue Rewards and delivers digital payment services and solutions for Al-Futtaim’s brands across 18 markets. Working with established and start up fintech players, Paul delivers solutions for some of the region’s best-known brands such as IKEA, Marks & Spencer, Toys R Us, Toyota, Lexus and the Intercontinental Hotels.

Padmini Gupta, Co-founder and CEO of Xare, a Future 100 Company and leading fintech, has millions of users and received Entrepreneur’s “Fastest Growing Fintech of the Year” in 2021. Formerly recognized for her role in Rise, named “MENA Fintech of the Year” in 2020, Padmini began her career as a banker in California, managing a hefty commercial banking portfolio. An advocate for financial inclusion and innovation, she has recently been awarded Global Changemaker, and has received awards from the US Small Business Administration. A World Economic Forum Global Leadership Fellow with an Oxford MBA, Padmini leverages her expertise to drive social change and financial innovation. Featured in Forbes Middle East List 2023, FT, Entrepreneur, and more, she mentors startups and supports entrepreneurs globally, aiming to redefine banking for a more equitable and sustainable future.

Richard is CEO and Founder of Augustus Media, an award winning modern media company in the UAE and KSA, publishers of the Lovin’ local news and lifestyle brand in 20 cities, and broadcasters of Smashi TV streaming service. Richard is a trailblazer in modern media and serves on the IAB MENA Board. He’s also involved in media investments through Fitzy Fund.

Cheryl King is Founder of King & Co PR – a boutique technology focused communications consultancy based in Dubai, that focuses primarily on launching brands in the technology, corporate and FinTech space. Cheryl has 15 years’ experience delivering award-winning campaigns in the UK and UAE.

Ryan is a Principal in CrossBoundary’s advisory practice and previously led Gaza Sky Geeks, a leading Middle East tech hub, from 2015-2021. He’s spent his career helping brilliant entrepreneurs gain equal access to capital, knowledge, and talent. Before 2015, he helped establish a startup incubator in Afghanistan with support from Google, and has advised small business on operations and financial strategy in Palestine, the UAE, Iraq, Jordan, and Pakistan. He has analyzed, structured, and managed investments for the The Abraaj Group and the Development Finance Corporation, a major lender to businesses around the globe. He began his career in J.P. Morgan’s healthcare, consumer, and retail investment banking group in New York. Ryan holds a bachelor’s in Middle East studies from Georgetown, an MBA from MIT, and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Ranime el Skaff works at the intersection of real estate, finance and technology domains, currently serving as CEO and Cofounder of Prop-AI, an innovative AI-powered co-pilot that facilitates the buying and owning processes for real estate globally. Prior to her role at Prop-AI, Ranime served as a Principal at a private equity firm in Dubai. With also a background in management consulting at McKinsey&Co working mainly in the GCC region, Ranime has developed valuable experience in infrastructure and real estate. Ranime holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and degrees in MPH- HMP, and BS in Biology from the American University of Beirut.

Mohamed Algawish, an electrical and electronics engineer, studied entrepreneurship and business management at Kelley School of Business – Indiana University. previously worked as a Business & Growth Consultant, where he helped startups in raising $6.85M+ in funding and generating $7.63M+ in revenue, Co-Founder & CEO of iSchool, the MENA’s #1 online coding platform for K12 students.

Abeer Alameeri is the Head of Partnerships at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa). In this role, she focuses on building and managing key relationships to support the development of Sharjah’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, with a primary emphasis on EdTech, Sustainability, Creative Economy, and Manufacturing Prior to her current position, Abeer led community engagement and partnerships across diverse sectors, including social, sports, and education. Abeer’s commitment to fostering collaborations and driving positive change positions her as a key player in shaping Sharjah’s dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.

A sustainability advocate, consultant and founder of Sustainable Narrative with a clear vision on a sustainable, circular economy and the new role of business, addressing how 3 P’s – people, planet and profit can make positive impact. At Sustainable Narrative, we are conceptualizing sustainable and impactful green solutions to various businesses in the UAE. I’m working with clients to lead a wave of innovation and economic growth that safeguards our planet and advances sustainability. Catering to all the industry sectors to transform to reach net zero by 2050, balanced with the sustainable development goals. My aim is to take ideas as well as concepts from the natural world, turn them into accepted business models with the approach ‘business today from the perspective of tomorrow’.

With 10 years of experience and dual master’s degrees in ICT and International Business, Nisreen is dedicated to advancing profitable sustainability. As the Global Head of Sustainability at Verofax and Co-founder of NetGreen, Nisreen assists industries in automating compliance to mitigate Carbon tax and access ESG-regulated markets. Through NetGreen, Nisreen helps retailers maximize consumer loyalty by collaborating on scaled, validated reforestation projects. Her unwavering commitment drives impactful solutions for sustainable practices in both corporate and environmental domains.

Prashant K. Gulati (PK), Entrepreneur | Technology Evangelist Founder, The Assembly; Founder, SmartStart Fund Prashant K. Gulati (popularly known as PK) is an entrepreneur, idea accelerator, angel investor, mentor and writer with interests in innovation, startups, entrepreneurship, technology, mobility, wireless, intelligent buildings, online media and more. In addition to serving on boards of several startups and community initiatives, PK is an active Angel and early stage investor with a nose for fresh ideas. He is a mentor, providing guidance and advice to founders at various levels. He has been associated with a large number of successful startups and has an active portfolio in the US, Middle East and India. PK has also been an influencer in the technology community in the Middle East, Silicon Valley as well as the Indian subcontinent. He is well connected with technology leaders and influencers of the region and is a respected voice and a trendspotter for leading edge technological innovation. A post graduate with Honours in Computer Science and Management, PK resides in Dubai for more than 20 years

Director of Sustainability & Gender Equality at Dubai Holding

Jude is a lawyer turned entrepreneur, turned early-stage investor. Her background includes strong legal and negotiation experience as well as a decade of strategy and business development leadership roles in Silicon Valley and Dubai based Funds and Startup programs. She has experience building businesses and working with large corporates on their innovation strategies. Jude holds a Law Degree and a Master’s from Université Panthéon-Sorbonne in Paris, as well as an LLM from UC Hastings.

Dr. Téma BENHALIMA-BOUVILLE is an accomplished professional with over two decades of experience across various industries, from large corporations to startups, and even in B2B strategy consulting. Throughout her career, with a PhD in Physics and a Master’s in Strategy and Marketing she embodies the fusion of scientific expertise and business acumen. Her journey has been characterized by an unwavering commitment to innovation, initially focusing on technological advancements and later expanding into strategic differentiation. She has led numerous transformative initiatives, driving growth and adaptation in dynamic market landscapes. Currently, as the Director of Innovation at ENGIE on a global scale, she spearheads efforts in navigating the complexities of decarbonization and energy transition.

Ansoo Gupta is a thorough media and marketing professional having worked with television, radio, print and digital. She specialises in consumer insights, data driven marketing and community building. Along with Headstart, Ansoo helps in bridging the gap for startup founders in their zero-to-one journey, guiding them through idea validation, business plans, MVPs, seed funding and brand building. Ansoo is an ardent climate activist and believes in inclusive growth for the good of the planet.

Arya is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Applied AI Company (AAICO), a leading applied artificial intelligence company focused on improving the productivity and quality of document-heavy decisions and case reviews in the healthcare, insurance, and pharmaceutical industries. Co-founder and ex-Managing Partner of Accrete Capital and Praxi-Partners. Previously General Manager and CFO of RAK Petroleum taking it public. Goldman Sachs, Carnegie Mellon, Harvard Business School

Aakash leads AI investments at Matrix Partners, focusing primarily on Consumer platforms and SaaS cos addressing dev and data stack. He is 2 time founder and has built and scaled consumer platforms at cos such as Disney+ Hotstar, Indus OS and Housing.com. He has been an early stage investor for over a decade and has backed 90 companies in his personal capacity and at Matrix has an rove folio comprised of AI first cos such as Aampe, Dashtoon, Emtech

A burning desire to put the human experience at the centre of every venture resulted in Chetna founding SilverFern. Her mantra is “Creating beautiful digital experiences to better human lives. After working with leading international brands to successfully deliver B2B and B2C digital products, Chetna saw how businesses sometimes struggle with delighting their customers through their digital platforms. She was able to clearly identify the gaps and picture how a like-minded global team of experts could help businesses grow by engaging with their customers in a meaningful way. She has also worked with some of the biggest ames in Silicon Valley and has lived and worked in the UK, US, Thailand, and New Zealand before moving to the UAE.

Brad is one of the Co-Founders of Cashee – a youth banking platform launched in KSA in partnership with anb (Arab National Bank). Cashee aims to empower the youth with regards to money management whilst improving their financial literacy.

Tamaghna Basu is an internationally recognized expert and serial entrepreneur building innovative companies at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and Web 3.0. As the founder and CEO of DeTaSECURE, Tamaghna brings over two decades of industry experience spanning technical domains from threat intelligence to blockchain architectures. Known for identifying unseen security gaps, he has built global brands protecting critical data assets. An award-winning speaker and trainer, Tamaghna has presented at premier conferences including BlackHat, TieDubai, ETHRiyadh, Nullcon, Shellcon, etc. His insights equip both Fortune 500 and startup technical teams to adopt emerging best practices. Tamaghna also serves as an online influencer with 30,000 followers and counting. He was a mentor at Stanford’s elite cybersecurity program and has trained over 1000 professionals across government and industry. Recognized for contributions to the community, Tamaghna has won over 20 innovation awards from the likes of Polygon, the Government of India, Solana, BBVA, etc. He holds esteemed certifications spanning OSCP, GCIH, RHCE, CEH, and ECSA. An advisor guiding entrepreneurs on their path, Tamaghna works closely with early-stage companies on growth strategies and fundraising.

I am Rana Mahmoud an Executive Producer with more than two-decade career in Dubai’s production landscape, culminating in a profound impact on the industry. For the past five years, I have been privileged to contribute my expertise to the Government of Dubai of Economy & Tourism, where I’ve navigated the intersection of Media, Economy and Tourism, shaping narratives that elevate the city’s global image. With a passion for storytelling and a proven track record of successful productions, I am dedicated to driving creative excellence

Ayham Homsi, a native of Syria, provides a unique perspective that energizes hrmny, a creative marketing powerhouse with a presence in Dubai and Riyadh. Specializing in brand experiences, creative campaigns, multimedia production, and social media management, hrmny initially launched as a record label. Armed with a BBA in marketing from the American University in Dubai, Ayham approaches his role as Managing Director with a strategic mindset and unwavering passion. His dedication to brands, especially in sonic marketing for awareness, is evident in his prowess in conceptualization and curation of innovative ideas. hrmny’s influence spans global brands like Mercedes-Benz, PUMA, Les Benjamins, National Science, Technology and Innovation (NSTI), Dubai Food Festival, Billboard Arabia, Sneaker District, Maestro Pizza, and more. Offering a unique blend of strategic insight, a global perspective, and creative solutions, Ayham Homsi continues to redefine the marketing narrative with a dedicated focus on elevating brand presence. Ayham’s experience at HAVAS involved managing renowned brands like Dettol, Vanish, Strepsils, and Gaviscon. Notably, he played a pivotal role in a project that earned HAVAS Dubai a prestigious Lynx award. His expertise extends to developing sound identities for brands such as Namshi and Instashop, and he served as the lead talent for a Namshi campaign in 2019 and 2020 and featured prominently on Spotify’s “”I’m with the Banned”” campaign, leading tours in Toronto, LA, DC, and NYC. Fun fact: Ayham’s production catalog has garnered over 30 million streams! Beyond his professional pursuits, Ayham spends his free time with his wife and family. He is a devoted podcast enthusiast, an avid foodie exploring new restaurants and cuisines, and a caring owner to his two dogs. Known for intriguing facts about the music industry, Ayham takes pleasure in sharing his wealth of knowledge with others.

Abdulrahman AlJiffry is a Partner at 500 Global, a VC firm with more than $2.7b in AUM with a truly global portfolio of active programs and companies. Abdulrahman is focused on the MENA Accelerator Fund, helping scale MENA most promising startups in a rapidly growing and maturing market. Additionally, he is an active angel investor with a diverse portfolio of startups across Saudi Arabia and the region. Abdulrahman is a board member of Oqal Angel Investor Network, the first and largest network of angels in KSA. He is deeply passionate about supporting founders and has delivered countless workshops in 10+ countries in topics ranging from Fundraising & Pitching to Defensibility. Prior to 500 Global, Abdulrahman headed the Startup Programs at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST). The flagship is TAQADAM, the largest Accelerator program in the region, investing in up to 60 startups per cohort for up to $140,000 per startup. Another key initiative is Destination DeepTech, a program helping international DeepTech companies soft-land in Saudi Arabia and access the market, infrastructure available to grow their companies and further develop the Deep Tech ecosystem in MENA. Abdulrahman helped found KAUST’s accelerator program during the early days of the Entrepreneurship Center and supported KAUST’s entrepreneurial efforts. KAUST was named as the best Higher Education Institution Supporting Entrepreneurship in the 3rd Global Entrepreneurship Summit December, 2012 only 18 months after the founding of the Entrepreneurship Center. Through his duties on several boards, Abdulrahman mentors and advises startups in product development, building a company to help commercialize high potential R&D output into promising high growth enterprises.

Aadam Zaidi is the Head of Product & Design at CAFU. He is responsible for bringing new products and services to life, and scaling them into new markets. Aadam has spent over 13 years driving digital transformation efforts and developing innovative solutions to address customer and market needs. At CAFU, Aadam has been a pivotal player in realizing CAFU’s EV potential and expansion in the global market. Prior to joining CAFU, Aadam has worked in different lead roles in the tech consulting and product space within the MENA region and North America.

Prior to founding Pyypl in 2019, Antti Arponen previously worked at Virgin Mobile for 13 years as country CEO, group COO and group chief digital officer for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Antti and his team, some of which are now “”Pyyplers””, built the challenger mobile operator business from scratch, transforming the telecoms industry from traditional models into digital. Virgin Mobile has won multiple digital and user experience awards in the Middle East and Africa, and reached the same customer satisfaction levels as Uber and Apple in the region. Prior to Virgin, Antti spent 10 years in high-growth technology businesses at Yahoo!, Telia, Zed, ABB and ACN, living in Amsterdam, London and Helsinki. Antti studied Finance at Helsinki School of Economics, and Telecoms Engineering at Helsinki University of Technology.

Yasmin has been in the world of Open Banking since 2019. She has been with Lean (leading Open Banking provider in the MENA) for over 2 years now leading the sales and partnerships function and recently transitioned into Head of Commercial Strategy & Operations role. Prior to Lean, she worked for TrueLayer (leading Open Banking provider in the UK/EU) during the early days of Open Banking in the UK. Prior to her involvement in Open Banking and startups, she earned her MBA from INSEAD and held client-facing positions within the financial services sector in both the UK and Canada.

Omar Absi co-founded and heads growth at swftbox, an ecommerce delivery gateway based in the UAE. Prior to swftbox, Omar spent more than 15 years in brand strategy and performance marketing with JWT, Unilever, MullenLowe and Emirates NBD. His interests range from data-driven marketing, creative strategy, product design and customer experience. Omar studied in Montreal and has been based in Dubai for more than 10 years. In his spare time, he enjoys reading about history, building e-commerce businesses and volunteering.

Ekta Bhojwani is a seasoned Product & Growth professional with over 15 years of experience in MENA, specializing in e-commerce and F&B sectors. She has led cross-functional teams that have propelled startups/scale-ups and government entities to deliver exceptional user experiences and achieve exponential growth. As VP of Consumer Products at Kitopi, she significantly scaled the UAE market by 10x, launching an omnichannel loyalty app and a revamped meal plan solution under the Right Bite brand. Ekta’s experiences also include spearheading B2B SaaS development at Dubai World/PCFC, driving product management and growth at Wally App, and being the founding marketing manager at Mumzworld.com.

With an extensive history of collaborating with diverse businesses, Jad has cultivated valuable experience in offering innovative solutions to elevate operational efficiency. Renowned for his creative thinking, Jad is dedicated to delivering excellence while maintaining a disciplined approach. Beyond his freelance endeavors, Jad’s passion revolves around democratizing blockchain technology, leading him to establish AETHER, a pioneering blockchain development firm. His mission with AETHER is to make revolutionary technology accessible globally, simplifying complexities and fostering understanding. Merging his technical expertise with an entrepreneurial spirit, Jad guides the AETHER team in crafting cutting-edge blockchain solutions across industries, designed to optimize processes and redefine possibilities within the digital realm. His commitment extends beyond business ventures, continually seeking to broaden AETHER’s reach and extend the transformative benefits of blockchain technology to a diverse and expanding community. Jad stands at the forefront of a digital revolution, poised to redefine how technology bridges the gap to new horizons, inviting others to connect and explore the possibilities together.

Loulou is a tech entrepreneur, investor, and podcast host with 20 years of work experience spanning GCC markets. Loulou is currently the Managing Partner of Spade Ventures, a 200+ investor syndicate investing > $2Mn in early-stage ventures in MENAP, the producer and host of Conversations with Loulou, the top 10 Business & Entrepreneurship podcast across key MENA markets. Previously Loulou founded Nabbesh.com, the MENA region’s first and largest online marketplace connecting businesses with 100,000+ freelancers (now Ureed.com). Loulou is speaker at regional and international conferences, holds a BA from Bournemouth University, is a CFA Level 2 candidate and has completed an Entrepreneurship program at The Harvard Kennedy School.

Rateb H.Rabi is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Intersect Innovation Hub; a startup incubator operating in 5 Palestinian cities and is part of Bank of Palestine Group, with the mission of enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem at all levels and provides startups with the resources they need to create cutting edge  sustainable solutions,and to stimulate the Palestinian entrepreneurial ecosystem by promoting a culture of collaboration, problem-solving and design thinking.

Diala Khashan, a dynamic entrepreneur and marketing maven making waves in the startup scene. Recognized as one of Forbes 30 Under 30 for this year, Diala is the driving force behind Vatrin, a groundbreaking fintech startup empowering small businesses across MENA to thrive online. As the Co-founder and CMO of Vatrin, Diala’s strategic vision has propelled the startup to the forefront of tech innovation in the region, inspiring many women and startups in Palestine.

Nathalie has been building high performing teams and advising start ups and SMEs on all things related to people, talent and culture, across the MENA region over the past 15 years with a focus on technology, consumer, ecommerce, marketplace, proptech and financial services/fintech businesses. Most recently she launched and ran the MENA branch of a US HQ’d search firm based out of Dubai, and prior to that headed the people functions at Property Finder and Dubizzle. Further to this intimate local knowledge, she brings an international and investment perspective having worked in Investment Banking for over 15 years for the likes of Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse First Boston in London.

Nubi Kay’ currently leads Startup Programs at Paystack, a pan-African online payments company, which helps merchants to collect payments from their customers. Nubi is an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working in the internet technology industry. He recently worked at Stripe enabling startups to launch and scale on the internet and continues to invest in early-stage startups in Africa and its diaspora through HoaQ Ventures. Previously, Nubi had a spell as a Digital Strategist and Technology Consultant at Mediacom and Accenture respectively. Nubi holds a BSc in Electrical Electronics Engineering from the Eastern Mediterranean University, Turkey, and Masters in Business Innovation Management from the Smurfit Business School of the University College Dublin, Ireland.

Chris is the Founder and CEO of DUCKLIFE, a Dubai based creative and marketing agency building some of our region’s most exciting brands. A career entrepreneur, Chris is also the founder and CEO of NoBueno, a talent marketplace matching the right people to the right opportunities. An active angel investor and advisor, Chris continues to participate, on multiple fronts, in the region’s growing startup scene as his passion stems in solving problems and creating prosperous communities.

With over 18 years in senior roles across startups, digital publishers (Yahoo! & Google) & agency businesses (GroupM & Publicis) I am committed to digitizing client transformations & delivering profitability & growth. I have directly managed people, stakeholders & clients across 20 countries & have developed, presented & delivered the full package of AdTech & MarTech solutions through 1PD, Programmatic, AI-led innovations on time & within budget. While at Leo Burnett, we earned Digital Agency of the year awards 2 years running, I managed over $200M of Digital investment for a single client and have driven agency revenue growth at over 240% YoY.

Warda Malik works as the Director for Strategic Communications at FTI Consulting, focusing on fintech/tech within the TMT segment of the firm. At FTI, she works closely with fintech companies, government entities, and cloud service providers. Over the years, she has amassed experience across the UAE, U.S., Germany, and Pakistan. Previously, she played a foundational role in establishing the communications arm of the first Sequoia-backed fintech startup in the GCC. She has also helped launch a tech policy initiative at the Prime Minister’s Office in Pakistan. She holds an undergraduate degree in Social Research & Public Policy from New York University.

As the Head of Marketing and Communications at Masdar City, the UAE’s flagship sustainable urban development, I spearhead initiatives to identify new markets and foster innovative technology partnerships. My strategic leadership is focused on elevating Masdar City’s reputation as a leading business ecosystem in innovation and sustainable technologies. With a career spanning over 20 years, I have demonstrated expertise in business development, marketing, communications, and events across diverse sectors including sustainable urban development, luxury retail, shopping mall management, advertising, and telecommunications. My proficiency lies in deploying stakeholder network mapping to drive business objectives and conceptualizing marketing strategies that solidify brand identity and resonate with global audiences. Recognized as one of the “10 Marketing Change Makers for 2023” across the Middle East by Campaign Middle East, I am at the forefront of shaping the future of marketing and communications in the region. My passion for cutting-edge topics like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, genetic engineering, and sustainability fuels my pursuit of excellence in this dynamic field. My commitment to social impact and leadership development is further evidenced as a certified facilitator with the Senn-Delaney ‘Corporate Culture Shaping’ program, and as a senior consultant to The Tantalus Group. Additionally, I am certified by ‘Susan G. Komen for the Cure’ for delivering breast cancer awareness programs in the workplace.

With over 15 years experience in data and analytics, across multiple industries I have gained a deep understanding of how to construct and utilize data assets to propel businesses forward. My strength lies in building teams, developing tools, and generating insights to create a data-driven culture. When organizations rely on data foundations, they can make informed decisions and innovate without taking unnecessary risks.

Bio of Hasan Haider: Hasan Haider is the Founder and Managing Partner of +VC, an early stage venture capital firm focused on investing in tech and tech-enabled startups in MENA and its diaspora. He has over 12 years of experience investing in MENA startups. Hasan was previously Managing Partner, MENA at 500 Startups and led the firm’s growth in the MENA region, turning 500 Startups into the most active VC fund in the MENA region, raising and deploying the 500 Falcons fund, building partnerships and running programs in the region to help build the regional ecosystem. Hasan has invested in more than 180 startups in the region over the course of the last 10 years. Prior to 500, Hasan was the co-founder and CEO of Tenmou, the first business angel’s organization in Bahrain and one of the first in the MENA region. Hasan’s work in developing angel investment in emerging markets through Tenmou has been picked up as a Case Study by the World Bank and Harvard and was taught to Entrepreneurship Policy makers at Babson College. Hasan started off his career in finance and investment banking at Sico, before he moved to Tenmou.

Uzair is the CEO of Swapp , a fast-growing car subscription company that is enabling seamless mobility aligned to each individual’s evolving needs. Swapp’s platform offers a digital, flexible and affordable alternative to buying or leasing. Prior to Swapp, Uzair was the Chief Operations Officer at Brighte, a fin-tech startup accelerating the adoption of renewable products in Australia. Uzair has also served as the CEO of Hey You App, Australia’s #1 Order Ahead platform; and at Careem as the General Manager for five years, where he orchestrated crucial functions, including P&L, strategy, sales, and marketing.

Founder and CEO | The Luxury Closet Founded in 2012 by Kunal Kapoor, The Luxury Closet is a trusted e-commerce platform for buying and selling pre-loved designer items. What started as a three-member team in his Dubai apartment is now the largest luxury resale marketplace in the Middle East, with a clientele across 80 countries. The Luxury Closet has raised over $30m from leading VCs like MEVP, Wamda Capital, and the founders of Huda Beauty. Kunal’s foray into retail began when he joined his father to manage the family’s footwear company in India. He then went on to work at Louis Vuitton in Dubai before deciding to start The Luxury Closet. Kunal has been named one of the top 100 innovators globally by Vogue Business.

Samir is the VP Venture Builder of ENGIE Factory with the mission to develop new ventures in the Middle East. For the last 13 years, Samir has been working in Asia, reshaping and digitalizing the built environment and smart city landscape. For 8 years, he served as the Head of Innovation and New Business Development in Japan for the Bouygues Group, where he initiated their first startup accelerator in Asia. In the last 2.5 years, he served as the Vice President of Global Sales for the Singaporean startup H3 Dynamics, offering an AI SaaS Platform for automating and digitizing building inspection and maintenance, along with H2 propulsion systems for air mobility. Samir holds a Master’s degree and MBA from business schools in France and Japan, and a Master’s degree from the Engineering School in France. He speaks three languages fluently: Japanese, English, and French

Walid Hizaoui is the Group Chief Strategy Officer and the Head of the Digital & Data Analytics office at Gargash Group, with over 12 years of in-depth experience into digital transformation, automation, AI, and institutionalising family offices in the Middle East region. Walid has proven expertise across 15 industries within the private and public sectors, specifically within automotive and mobility, financial services, banking, venture capital and private equity. He is an expert on restructuring, turnaround strategies, omnichannel, and product management. He has been instrumental in structuring the Gargash Group conglomerate into four verticals, including automotive, real estate, financial services, and new opportunities. He also built leadership teams across 35 companies in 50 different industry segments. Prior to his tenure at Gargash Group, Walid was a strategy and management consultant, working with public and private sectors clients in Europe, US, and the MENA region, including with the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and various government entities in the GCC sector. He was also involved in $1 billion worth of capital deployment, 35 due diligence projects, several go-to-market strategies in Europe, China, and the Middle East.

Bilal brings a wealth of experience and dedication to empowering investors in achieving their financial aspirations. With an extensive career in investment advisory, he has a proven track record in guiding investors through complex financial landscapes. As a CFA Charterholder since 2018, Bilal’s passion for investment management and wealth advisory extends beyond his own practice; he has mentored and trained numerous high-performing wealth advisors, fostering a culture of excellence in the industry. Leveraging his extensive knowledge and experience, Bilal is now at the helm of Vault, leading the charge in revolutionizing wealth management in the region through cutting-edge fintech solutions and a client-centric approach.

Ashim Egunjobi is the Managing Partner at Octerra Capital, an impact driven early-stage sector agnostic Venture Capital fund investing innovative Founders building tech and tech enabled solutions in Africa. At Octerra Capital, she is responsible for driving the Fund’s ambitions, investments and day-to-day operations and is especially inspired by audacious, bold and most importantly impactful ideas that will drive Africa’s growth for a sustainable and prosperous future. Ashim is a strong advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion and is vocal around the need for closing the funding gap in Venture Capital.

Reims career includes working with TV stations like the BBC to being an Executive Producer and Head of Events at Dubai One. Reim launched her production company Ti22 Films in 2011, winning 25 New York Festival Awards & a Cannes Corporate Media and TV Award. Reim has worked with some of the globes largest multinationals and broadcasters such as National Geographic, Times of India, Discovery Channel etc. Reim Executive Produced the daily live global TV show for Expo 2020 and in 2023 launched DXB Today, a daily lifestyle show on Dubai One TV. With her experience in Mega Events, Reim was the Content Commissioning Coordinator at COP 28. Reim has served on the Jury of the New York Festival for 9 years and is a consultant, trainer, speaker and moderator.

Managing Director ex Mindshare | ex MediaCom My +20-year career was built around building lasting client relationships across multiple geographies Beirut, UAE, Kuwait, Doha & KSA. The diversity of sectoral experience from multi-national FMCG to Telco to Ecom has given me exposure to a broader understanding of business & marketing/communication. My management experience moved me to experience setting up offices, adapting to new environments, and winning businesses in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Doha. Following my move to KSA to run Mindshare office has further expanded by knowledge, understanding of the Marketing/Communication spectrum & the insights that drives our client’s business as well as ours. With a strong focus on driving new Business Development, developing people & adapting to new business realities, I have helped clients drive their business forward.

Been in Tech for 10+ years now, and currently leading a workforce of around 80 people -spanning Software Engineering, Product, UX Design, Analytics, and Operations- at 4Sale, one of the Middle East’s largest online marketplaces. Industrial Engineer by education, and graduated with Honors from the American University in Cairo in 2010. A few months out of college, joined Vodafone’s Discover program in its inaugural year. This unlocked valuable exposure to how a high-performance company conducts its business. For 3 years, held a variety of junior roles (focusing primarily on under-served consumer segments and price sensitivity), and learned the basics of data analysis, risk assessment, and decision-making. Then traveled to Boston to enroll at Harvard’s MBA program, spending a couple of years surrounded & humbled by some truly brilliant people. Learned a lot there, and made great friends. Upon graduating, relocated to Seattle and spent the following 5 years working primarily at Amazon. There, held vital Product roles at both Amazon ReCommerce -helping automate damaged products’ destinations- and at Prime Video -radically improving the app’s offline experience. Especially at HQ, Amazon is intense. Fast-paced, no-nonsense, and grueling. It’s not for everyone, but loved it…and learned a ton. Returned to Egypt, as always planned, in 2020, and started by helping Instabug -a key global player in application quality management- expand its product portfolio and build out most of its stellar Product and Design teams and processes. Since 2022, been focused on transforming 4Sale into a regional powerhouse. Scaling up the company is a ton of work, but so far it’s going extremely well. Fingers crossed and staying paranoid.

Dr Nermeen is an associate professor and the global programme director for business studies at Heriot Watt University- Edinburgh Business School She is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and is a luxury brand strategy expert and specialises in topic related to innovation, and new product development particularly those related to creative and luxury markets.

An Entrepreneur with ventures in media. Zaatarah is very passionate in Innovation, creativity, tech and leaving a positive impact on the world. He is notably the Founder and CEO of VUZ The Leading Immersive Video Mobile App that Teleports people in Time with a vision in making the World 🌍 Accessible to All. Raised over $30 Million from top investors regionally and globally. Khaled was selected as the Entrepreneur of the Year by Entrepreneur Magazine and Won 2 Guinness World Records. Khaled is certified from Harvard University in Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital and Stanford University in Innovation and Scale. He graduated with Honors in Management with a minor in Digital and Mass Communications from the American University. He lived most of his life between USA and MENA. ​Zaatarah was featured in some of the top business publications such as Forbes, CNN, Reuters, TechCrunch, Bloomberg, Entrepreneur Magazine, and many more. Khaled managed to build a client and partners portfolio including major firms globally such as Apple, Facebook, LaLiga, NBA, Snapchat, Universal, Sony and many more. Khaled Zaatarah’s dream is to help and touch millions of people’s lives around the world, build a hyper-connected world and bring a better positive change.

Jessy El Murr is the founder of Motahadith|a, a media advisor and a former BBC & Sky News Arabia journalist. She is a storyteller at heart and has gained her media experience as a foreign correspondent working in the newsrooms of international media outlets starting out in Washington D.C moving to Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. A certified public speaking coach and a professional Emcee, Jessy believes in the power of stories in shaping our executive presence. She now works with top C-level executives across GCC region delivering high-level specialized coaching and training workshops In 2022, Jessy was honored by Meta as a distinguished content creator on their annual list ‘She Creates’, honoring female content creators across MENA.

Mohammed is an engineer turned engineering manager, turned entrepreneur turned tech investor. Made numerous investments in both startups and VC funds along the years, 110+ investments and counting. Currently the Founder & Managing Partner of Nama Ventures, a Venture Capital fund focused on fueling technology innovation in MENA. A member of many Angel Networks including Sand Hill Angels in Silicon Valley, Founding board member of Riyadh Angel Investors in Riyadh, and an advisor with Woman Spark in KSA. Mohammed was one of the co-founders of Tech Wadi in Silicon Valley and he’s an advisor to numerous MENA tech incubators, accelerators and startups, and currently sits on numerous startup boards Mohammed holds an MBA from London Business School and a BS in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Brigham Young University. Mohammed can be reached on twitter at @mzu3bi

Chris Yeh is a founding General Partner of Blitzscaling Ventures. Chris has founded, advised, or invested in over 100 high-tech startups since 1995, including 9-figure companies like Ustream (investor, advisor, CEO) and UserTesting.com (advisor). He is the co-author, along with Reid Hoffman, of ‘Blitzscaling: The Lightning-fast Path to Building Massively Valuable Companies’, and the co-author, along with Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha, of the New York Times bestseller, ‘The Alliance: Managing Talent in the Networked Age’. Chris earned two degrees from Stanford University, with distinction in both, and an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was named a Baker Scholar.

VC of Blitzscaling AI Fund, Speaker, Event Host in Silicon Valley

Dr. Batu Sat is the Cofounder & CEO of Mall IQ, Inc., a venture-backed San Francisco based technology company serving Banks, Fintechs, Payment Apps, Retailers as a Location-Intelligence & AI platform. Dr. Sat earned his Masters and Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a Researcher at the Coordinated Science Laboratory. Batu leads Company’s vision by streamlining operations, leveraging innovative – emerging technologies and maintaining strong focus on client imperatives. He is an expert in ML, AI, Distributed & Real-time computational systems as well as Location Intelligence. He held Technical Leader and Software Architect roles at Cisco Systems, Microsoft Corporation and Fuze, Inc. in Silicon Valley where he had the opportunity to experience the startup ecosystem and combine this experience with his expertise in technology.

Amar is a seasoned financial professional with over 15 years of expertise in Capital Markets (Fixed Income) including in the Web3 space gained through hands-on experience over 7+ years. She is a trailblazer in the Hong Kong tech scene, pioneering the introduction of AI chatbots on a trading floor in 2018. In early 2022, she relocated from HK to Dubai to spearhead the development of Matrixport in the region. She is a GP at Glass Ventures, the first Web4 Venture Capital Firm. Cindy is a sought-after speaker, moderator, and MC at blockchain conferences worldwide. A tech evangelist at heart. Multilingual and educated in Business, Political Sciences, Fintech and Psychology at top universities.

Arto Bendiken, the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Haltia.AI, is a distinguished cypherpunk pioneer and passionate advocate for ethical technology. He began his journey as a self-taught prodigy in Finland, quickly mastering various programming languages and techniques. His early involvement in the Cypherpunk movement laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to privacy, strong cryptography, and technological self-sovereignty. His entrepreneurial journey is marked by significant achievements, notably at Aurora Labs, where he led the development of a groundbreaking Ethereum Virtual Machine and oversaw the company’s rapid growth and substantial valuation. At Haltia.AI, Arto combines his deep technical expertise with a commitment to ethics. Haltia.AI stands at the forefront of the personal AI space, championing privacy-first principles and delivering innovative AI solutions through its on-device platform.

Nicoleta is a business-driven professional having successfully lead more than 10 Credit Bureau implementation programs around the world creating significant value-add for users from Financial Services, Real Estate, Governmental, Utilities, B2B and Data Analytics verticals. She’s excited having joined 4most’s global team back in November 2020 as Head of Business Development heading the Middle East and Africa markets with a focus on regulation and risk management solutions, such as: IFRS9, collections strategies, credit decisioning, stress testing, economics overviews, model management and climate change risks within banking and non-banking environments. Nicoleta was awarded two years in a row as ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ (2022, 2023) at Women in Credit Awards, event hold in London, UK, as well, ‘Woman Leader in Banking Services’, in June 2023 and ‘Best Credit Risk Management Advocate’, in January 2024, under the patronage of H.H. Engr. Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, for her on-going efforts in the Middle East.

Abeer Raza is a dynamic serial entrepreneur dedicated to steering startups, entrepreneurs, SMEs, and enterprise-level organizations through the intricate landscape of the digital era. Currently, he is serving as the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and a founding partner of TekRevol, a distinguished digital transformation company honored on the Inc. 5000 list for its remarkable 829 percent growth within a mere four years. Abeer excels in his role as a business strategist and growth advisor, leveraging his expertise to assist firms in crafting, refining, and implementing business strategies that pave the way for accelerated growth and enhanced returns on investment. His visionary leadership and commitment to innovation underscore his pivotal role in driving TekRevol’s success in the competitive digital realm.

Rana Hajirasouli is the founder of UAEs’ first B2B climate-tech platform, The Surpluss, specializing in the adoption of digital industrial symbiosis in resource intensive sectors. Equipped with 12+ years industry experience spanning marine conservation, litigation, and petrochemicals manufacturing, she has presented at 50+ international conferences and frequently writes thought leadership articles on industrial climate action. She holds an LLM, M.Phil, and more recently, an Mst, and has won several innovation awards, securing a US Patent for methodology for cross-sectoral collaboration. She is currently studying towards a PhD in Industrial Resilience Engineering at the University of Cambridge, where her research aims to produce a novel collaborative framework for net zero using complex adaptive systems. Rana is GRI/GHG/SEA/Biomimicry accredited and is passionate about teaching biomimicry as a means to untangle complex problems.

Baldeep is currently the founder and CEO of Revent, a destination for trusted pre-owned electronic devices focused for the MENA region. He has over 12+ years of corporate leadership experience spanning eCommerce, B2B, Commercial, Startups etc. Previously, he was a SVP at Noon.com where he built the Recommerce business for three major markets of MENA. He’s worked extensively with brands like Walmart, Rocket Internet, Snapdeal, Wadi and Caterpillar Inc. In addition to reading non-fiction, he is passionate playing badminton.

Hala is the Head of ABXelerate, the CVC and startup and partnership arm of Arab Bank. Hala has 10+ experience in Fintech, entrepreneurship, private equity, and venture capital.

Abdulla Mashaal is a seasoned leader with over 15 years’ experience in shaping innovative payments and open banking solutions. As the Head of Open Banking at Emirates NBD, he plays a pivotal role in setting a global vision for open finance within Retail, Business Banking, and Wealth Management. Abdulla is actively engaged in industry dialogues on standards in the UK and UAE, contributing to best practices and ecosystem development. Previously, as the Strategy & Consulting Director at Accenture and BCS Consulting, he led the UK payments and open banking practice, overseeing the implementation of the world’s first major open banking initiative.

Akshata Namjoshi has over 10 years of experience working with fintechs, including retail payments solutions, remittances, aggregators and acquirers, digital wallets, and new-age products like pay-later solutions and open banking products. Akshata has worked closely with Governments, central banks, and financial regulators across the GCC to draft regulations and frameworks on open banking products. She has also drafted various policies on digital ID and e-KYC in the Arab regions through her engagement with the Arab Monetary Fund and MENA Fintech Association

Céline is a Fintech enthusiast with over 3 years of experience in the space. Currently based in the UAE, she conducts market research and provides insights mainly for EU, U.S. and GCC markets.

In the dynamic landscape of the creative economy, Yasmine Vanda Trofast stands out as a seasoned entrepreneur with a remarkable 17-year journey dedicated to fostering creativity and innovation. As the founder of YVT Consultancy, Yasmine has become a driving force in the cultural, creative, and event sectors, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

Bassem helps businesses grow their revenues with tested marketing strategies. He is a co-founder and CMO at weareigloo.com, an award-winning marketing agency with offices in Dubai and Miami. He is also a co-founder and CMO at the renowned bloomingbox.com and arabiamd.com.

Mark is the co-founder and programs director at Dream VC, a specialist investor accelerator and venture institute for Africa, focused on providing knowledge-driven training programs for African-focused startup investors, upskilling ecosystem builders and advising corporations on their investment activities across Africa. Dream VC’s alumni “”fellows”” have gone to join 60+ funds, launch 4x Angel Networks, and establish multiple syndicates. Collectively these initiatives now manage over $6.0 billion, fueling growth in Emerging Markets. Beside Dream VC, Mark is a Fund Advisor, Board Member, Angel Investor and Mentor. He is also a respected speaker, and has spoken widely at world-leading events about professionalizing VC investing and the opportunities of Corporate Venturing. Beyond such endeavors, Mark enjoys global travels, is a foodie and sports enthusiasts and maintains a keen fascination with hippos.

Ankit Shah is the CFO of Silkhaus, a proptech startup on a mission to power short-term rentals across Asia. He is in charge of Silkhaus’ strategic vision and drives conversations with investors and VCs that resulted in a successful seed round, amongst the biggest of the region. Former Senior Director of Corporate Development at Careem, one of the most successful startups in the region in recent years, Ankit is deeply passionate about startups and technology. Back in India he was Director of Finance at Snapdeal, India’s leading pure-play value Ecommerce platform. Nonetheless his very first steps were in consultancy firms, Deloitte first and KPMG after. Ankit holds a bachelor degree in Computer Science from University of Arizona, and a Master in Business Administration from IESE, in Barcelona. Ankit is an Indian citizen, but he started traveling the world early in his life to study and work. This makes Silkhaus mission very relevant to him: offering high quality living pads for working digital nomads, like him.

On a mission to help international companies launch top remote teams in Lebanon with zero hassle. HR Factory offers a complete solution for US, EU and GCC managers to source highly-skilled talent, employ them legally and cater to all admin and office needs to become operational within days. The perfect merger of bootcamps, recruitment, EOR and local support. Previously, Fadi was a Partner at venture capital firm BY Ventures, a $100M tech fund. Fadi has 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship and innovation, having built and managed multiple startups and accelerators.

Aya Elgebeely, an accomplished leader in tech, boasts a successful track record in FinTech, InsurTech, and healthcare in the MENA region. Recognized as an IBM inventor with 4 patents, Aya is a certified cloud architect and has numerous publications in software engineering process management. Starting as a software engineer at IBM – Egypt, she progressed to lead tech teams at startups like 360Imaging and Instabug. Aya is now the founder and CEO of Talents Arena, an AI-driven hiring platform aiming to connect top tech talents with companies. Her latest venture includes building a cohesive community for tech enthusiasts in the MEA region, showcasing her commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation.

Dina Shoman has over 20 years of experience as an international banking veteran, serial entrepreneur, and investor. Dina is a Co-Founder of Verity the App, the Middle East’s family money management and financial literacy app and prepaid card for kids and teens 8 – 18. Verity is Dina’s third startup focused on financial literacy for children and youth. Previously, she was Executive Vice President of Branding and Board member at Arab Bank as well as a number of its related entities such as Arab Bank Switzerland and Arab Bank Australia.

Recognized as one of the “Top 10 Most Admired Women Leaders in Business, 2022” by Success pitchers and awarded the “Entrepreneur of the year 2021” in the Digital Technology by APAC Entrepreneur. Lubna is an award winner action goal-oriented conductor with a proven track record of 16 years of experience in the technology, marketing and advertising field. Globally and locally, she has created marketing initiatives and managed a set of client’s products/brands development to drive their business growth as PepsiCo, Emaar, Etisalat, P&G and many more. Lubna is well-versed in the processes of building world-class technology and marketing communications and has developed a reputation as an innovator with a client centric focus. Lubna is an industry public speaker, she has participated in many regional conferences as a keynote speaker and panelist, such as Rise up Conference, Creative Industry Summit, Step Conference and many more. Fitness plays an important role in her life, she trains CrossFit and boxing and is a firm believer that this keeps her in a good mental health state and helps her perform better in her business life.

Ali Abulhasan’s interest in payments and technology has grown into a continuous road of discovery for over 10 years. Throughout his career working in the oil, banking, and telecom sectors, he always found himself struggling with the complexity of online payments in the region. This is why he founded Tap Payments in 2013; to help enable startups and SMEs to accept online payments easily throughout the MENA region. Today Tap serves hundreds of thousands of businesses of all sizes, from small home businesses all the way to large corporations across various industries such as Retail, Food, Insurance, Airlines, Telecom, and many others. Ali Abulhasan also shares an interest in arts, design, and product development.

Abdullah leads the corporate practice of global law firm Taylor Wessing and is one of the most recognised venture capital, private equity and technology M&A lawyers in the Middle East region. He represents some of the region’s leading VC firms, CVCS, sovereign wealth funds and of course many many founders and emerging technology companies on VC, venture debt and M&A deals.

Racha Ghamlouch is the co-founder of the Digital Digest and Neuron, the MENA region’s digital economy news and market intelligence aggregator. Racha Ghamlouch has 10 years of experience in community development, events, and content creation. She led content, initiatives and programs at ArabNet for 7 years and moved on to build community engagement at BECO capital, after which she switched to focus on the Digital Digest, a digital economy news aggregator and consulting companies on the MENA region’s digital economy. Neuron is a data intelligence solution for marco economic activity and research.

Mamoun serves as Wego’s Chief Business Officer. Prior to this, he occupied the positions of Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director for Wego, the largest online travel marketplace in the MENA region and one of the fastest growing tech companies in Dubai. Wego is dual-headquartered in Singapore and Dubai and Mamoun runs the business from the Dubai office where he is responsible for managing operations across the region. He is a significant shareholder in the company. Mamoun helped launch Wego’s Middle East operations in 2013 and expanded the company’s footprint across MENA and into India. Prior to that, he established the Advertising & Media sales unit and was Acting GM for MENA before being promoted to Managing Director. It’s Mamoun’s ability to move effortlessly between the high-tech world of Silicon Valley and the high-touch world of the Middle Eastern travel and tourism industry that makes him a particularly effective senior executive. Mamoun is a member of EMIR Corporate Intelligence Network, MEA business group and German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce (AHK). He was named by Arabian Business as one of the “Young Achievers 2021”. Prior to joining Wego, Mamoun held senior roles in some of the region’s best known digital media start-ups including iKoo (first and largest online advertising network in the Middle East acquired by Yahoo!) and Diwanee (largest premium lifestyle content publisher acquired by Webedia). Mamoun has lived in Dubai since 2005 and was a sales exec for Audi before joining the tech industry.

Sid Jayakumar is Founder and CEO of Finster AI, an early startup building AI agents to turbocharge knowledge work at financial institutions. Finster AI is backed by Hoxton Ventures and angels including Aidan Gomez, Ivan Zhang (founders of Cohere), senior employees at OpenAI and DeepMind and seasoned FinTech operators. He was previously an AI Researcher at Google DeepMind for 7 years where he worked on Deep Learning, Sparse Nets, LLMs and led a team looking at data efficient models. He grew up in Bombay, India and read CS at Queens’ College, University of Cambridge where he was a Manmohan Singh Scholar. Outside Finster, he’s an aspiring sailor, middling bridge player, avid reader and angel invests in AI-native companies.

Hailing from a family of art collectors and gallerists, Clemence grew up with the beauty of the art world. Originally from Paris, France and Geneva, Switzerland, Clemence moved to Boston to finish her studies. In 2016, she began her professional journey in the art world, gathering years of experience across various galleries and auction houses. In 2020, after meeting Danilo S. Carlucci, co-founder of MorningStar Ventures they embarked on creating 37xDubai – a new concept focusing on digital art. Today, Clemence is the Director of Art and Events at 37xDubai, where she uses her knowledge of the art world, love for interior design, and business acumen to build a space that will become more than just a gallery.

Jenny is Director of Education for Kidzink, a company which bridges the gap between design, furniture and pedagogy to create inspiring and progressive learning environments.

Magdi M. Amin Magdi M. Amin is the Managing Partner of African Renaissance Partners, a venture capital firm backing innovators and entrepreneurs who use technology to solve development challenges in East Africa and the Horn. ARP target sectors include climate, fintech, agtech, logistics and healthtech. Before launching ARP, Magdi held leadership roles in multilateral development banks (IFC, World Bank), philanthropy (Omidyar Network), government, and the private sector. He teaches responsible tech at SAIS and is a graduate of JHU SAIS and Princeton.

Dr Sheen Gurrib completed MEng in Materials Science from University of Oxford and PhD in spinal research from University of Cambridge. Following her journey in science, she joined Oliver Wyman as a strategy consultant then transitioned to Chief Operations Officer of a media company, then a tech startup. She gave her first TedX talk on girls’ education in 2021, being the first girl from Mauritius to have gone to both Oxford and Cambridge. She is an adjunct lecturer at Middlesex University in Dubai and host of the women empowerment podcast Dream, Girl, which has become the largest English speaking podcast for and by women in the Middle East. She is an ambassador of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was one of the 50 most influential women of Dubai.

Digital expert at Snap, leading the UAE/Export Mid Customer growth and development. Proficient in digital marketing, e-commerce, and analytics, with a focus on strategic expansion.

Rania Rostom is a seasoned C-suite executive with 30 years industry experience across global and emerging markets. She has worked on corporate and business strategy, transformation initiatives, market innovation, communications, talent development and customer education. She led GE’s Global Marketing & Communications, Talent Development and Customer Education with responsibility for key initiatives such as sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and stakeholder partnerships. She focused on customer transformative journeys, driving innovation and organizational change. Rania was also Chief Innovation Officer leading GE’s Innovation & Technology Centers and orchestrated ground-breaking partnerships and innovation challenges focused on growing the entrepreneurial ecosystem. She is co-author of “Mapping the Future of Work in MENAT.” Previously, she worked for BMW Group and a leading PR & Advertising agency with clients such as Nissan, Coca-Cola, Tag Heuer and Mars. She is a speaker at conferences such as the World Economic Forum, COP, Women’s Forum Global Meeting, MISK Global Forum, and many others.

Omer is the Founder and CEO of PostEx, Pakistan’s largest e-commerce service provider, offering easy access to capital with embedded logistics. Omer is a chartered accountant with over 7 years of experience in financial sales. Previously, Omer worked in London and Dubai before moving back to Pakistan in 2020. He has also been a professional football player and represented the Pakistan National Football team for 2 years.

Mia assists her partners and clients in transforming their organizations by designing and implementing startup and innovation programs that bring stakeholders from across the value chain together to solve environmental, social, and business challenges. Since 2010, she has been designing, planning, and executing innovation and entrepreneurship programs for universities, foundations, and banks, including the University of Arts London, Emirates Foundation, Impact Hub, Abu Dhabi Arts and Music Foundation, Commercial Bank of Dubai, and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. In 2023, Mia founded Fluid Labs, which helps organizations achieve their innovation goals through tailor-made pop-up innovation labs that focus on accelerating innovation for the well-being of people, planet, and profits.

Jim Rudall is Intuit Mailchimp’s GM for EMEA and has spent 15 years in commercial leadership roles in eCommerce and Martech. Initially at Experian Marketing services before founding his own consulting firm which he ran for 5 years working for pioneers in the space such as e-dialog, Epsilon, ATG and e-Circle. More recently, he has worked to scale out commercial GTM teams for high-growth tech firms such as Usablenet and Rakuten. He joined Shopify as Head of Revenue for the EMEA Region in 2020 where he built the EMEA Sales operation before moving to Intuit Mailchimp in April 2023.

Creative executive with a passion for innovations, AI and multimedia. Serial founder of startups and agencies focused on wellbeing and creative economy. Founder of the world’s first AI music startup (Mubet). Technical and jazz music education.

Tobias is a purpose driven international climate tech professional services executive with 25+ years of global experience who drives business value, profitable carbon reduction and customer satisfaction by scaling/optimizing delivery, addressing customer pain points, and defining effective strategies for enterprise-scale customers. He is an EMEA-wide keynote speaker on how cloud capabilities can accelerate the sustainability journey for global customers. Tobias currently leads the EMEA ProServe Migration/Modernization & Sustainability practices for AWS Professional Services. His team focuses on working externally with customers by providing expert services to migrate enterprise to the AWS cloud and extend their digital transformation journey with innovative sustainability projects.

Rachel McArthur is a UAE-based healthcare journalist, editor, and MC/moderator, with 15+ years of experience in digital, print and broadcast media. She is the founder and managing editor of Digital Ink Media, a publisher that curates exclusive custom content for some of the region’s best-known media outlets and brands. Rachel’s work has appeared in titles including HIMSS TV, PrecisionMed International magazine, The Washington Post, Thomson Reuters, Wamda, Arab News, Al Arabiya, Entrepreneur ME, and Zawya. With a qualification in medical journalism, Rachel has a keen interest in various areas of healthcare, including precision and personalised medicine, digital health and healthtech, and wellness and longevity. She is a member of the Medical Journalists’ Association (UK), and the Association of Health Care Journalists (USA). Rachel is fluent in English and Arabic.

Dyota Marsudi is the President Director of PT Bank Aladin Syariah Tbk Aladin Bank’), the first sharia digital bank in Indonesia Under his leadership, Aladin Bank is steered towards reaching the vision of making digital based financial solutions more accessible to all levels of societies in the country Dyota started his career as a management consultant with The Boston Consulting Group During his tenure at BCG, he has had the opportunity to serve the region’s largest banks, TMT and private equity firms crafting their strategy, executing organizational restructuring and their M&A initiatives Dyota’s entrepreneurial drive was subsequently manifested through Happy 5 a Software as a Service company focused on performance management which he built together with his co-founders to profitability Prior to Bank Aladin, Dyota was the Senior Executive Director for Vertex Ventures, a global venture capital firm with USD 5 bn assets under management with offices in 6 countries Dyota has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Indonesia and an MBA from INSEAD.

Meenah Tariq is CEO and co-founder at Metric, a VC funded fintech building a financial management and business intelligence platform for SMEs in emerging markets, currently being used in 190 countries. Meenah was previously a Partner at Karavan, a VC fund focused on early stage startups. She has supported thousands of entrepreneurs over the last decade across a wide variety of industries and geographies. Over the last decade, Meenah has been designing and implementing programs to practically support high-impact businesses and SMEs with organizations such as the World Bank, DFID, and the USAID.

Annika Melchert is the podcast host of ‘FinTech Files’ and a Principal at Boston Consulting Group. As an expert in modern banking, she guides fintechs and incumbent banks on their technology build, integration strategies, and digital transformations.

Co-founder and CEO of TalkTime, a cutting-edge tech startup dedicated to transforming the landscape of mental health. Ex-Oliver Wyman | UCL & LSE

Mohamad has 20 years of experience in the digital economy. He now works for Amazon Ads as Head of Partnerships across the expansion markets of Europe, MENA, and Africa and is the Vice Chair of the IAB MENA.

Mamta Varerkar has more than 18 years of experience in Branding, Advertising and Communications, with a focus on providing clients with Digital solutions. Mamta is the General Manager and Partner at Yellow – a full-service agency based in Dubai. Mamta has also been an independent marketing consultant to several SMEs and startups helping them meet their marketing and business objectives. Mamta shares her experience working with startups in her podcast called: Startup Hustle Middle East, which includes stories of startups and VCs from the ecosystem. Aside from this, Mamta enjoys speaking opportunities around the topics of communication, digital and content marketing and entrepreneurship. Mamta has moderated panels at STEP conference several times, been a panelist at Meet Magento conference, done a keynote speech at GITEX for Dubai Tourism amongst several others.

Sivach is an accomplished and seasoned operator with a remarkable background in the automotive industry. He served as an executive at Triumph Motorcycles, where his leadership and strategic acumen played a pivotal role in driving the company’s extraordinary digital transformation achievements on a global scale. Leveraging his industry expertise and strong business acumen, he has made numerous strategic angel investments in promising startups across the United Kingdom and Thailand. He has also established a USD 20 million cryptocurrency fund under the name Avareum, which is a testament to his forward-thinking mindset and his belief in the transformative power of blockchain technology. He actively explores and invests in promising blockchain projects across Thailand, contributing to the evolution and advancement of the digital financial landscape in the country.

Award Winning, Founder of CryptoTalks & DxTalks the Digital Leaders Platform | BCC Management Consultancy | Forbes Technology Council | International Keynote Speaker| Mentor | Advisor | Specialized in consulting on Digital Transformation Strategies, Fintech, Cybersecurity, Governance, and Blockchain.

Yamen is a Managing Partner at Olive Tree, a Boston-based registered investment advisor focused on US and global technology investments. He has spent the last decade investing across private companies from seed to later stage across the software, frontier technology, and life sciences sectors. Yamen is currently on the Board of “Tarjimly,” a YC-backed venture dedicated to improving the lives of refugees by eliminating language barriers through technology. Prior to Olive Tree, Yamen held investment, managerial, and public policy roles at Saudi Aramco, the Saudi Ministry of Investment, and Google. Yamen holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from the MIT Sloan School of Management. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Marketing from Boston University.

Faraz is the CEO of noon, the region’s leading consumer commerce platform. The noon ecosystem of services now includes marketplaces for food delivery, quick-commerce, fintech, and fashion. Faraz is an engineer by training and has an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to noon, Faraz was the co-founder and Managing Director at Namshi.

Ramzi is cofounder of VAES.ai, a climate tech startup that uses optimization algorithms and machine learning to reduce the volume of raw materials (concrete & steel) when designing our cities. Ramzi previously led the research and department (R&D) at e.construct where he has presented on 3D concrete printing and conducted trials in UHPC, an innovative new material for concrete. e.construct is a multidisciplinary engineering design firm and employs over 200 engineers and has 8 offices worldwide. During the Spring of 2012, he was a fellow at Stanford University as a Social Entrepreneur-in-Residence. Ramzi was also selected as one of 2017’s cohorts of YGL by the World Economic Forum.

As a holistic physician deeply committed to sustainable health, Priyanka has dedicated her career to address to preventable lifestyle diseases. Her impactful journey includes co-founding Hygge, a social impact startup with a mission to alleviate the burden of preventable illnesses. Through this venture, She, alongside an incredible team has been a pioneer in establishing an ecosystem that promotes incentivized peer driven culture of wellness, encouraging individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles. Priyanka’s holistic approach not only encompasses traditional medical practices but also emphasizes the importance of mindful well-being. With a passion for merging healthcare and social impact, Priyanka and the team of Hygge is tirelessly committed to transformative healthcare solutions that prioritize sustainable well-being and proactive care.

Avneet Kohli is a Life and Business Vision Coach and the Co-Founder of StartUp Network Encubay. From a stellar reputation in the media and entertainment industry to starting her entrepreneurial journey at age 23, to overcoming burnout, Avneet’s diverse experiences led her into the world of coaching and startups. As a coach, she helps driven founders and professionals launch their dream ventures, build a memorable personal brand, and achieve their life and career goals faster. Additionally, Avneet is the Co-Founder of Encubay, a female-focused startup and angel network that helps women accelerate business growth by providing them access to mentorship, premium networking, and fundraising opportunities to scale up their ventures globally. She recently authored the Life Planner, a thinking system toolkit that helps ambitious minds achieve growth and tangible results in life and business.

ZEINA AKKAWI – www.zeinaakkawi.com An Entrepreneur, a PR and Government Consultant & a Trainer with 23 years of Marketing and Communications’ experience. Co-Founder and Managing Director of PAZ Marketing UAE since 2007; Founder of Code 966 KSA year 2022 and Partner in Seamless Productions GCC – 2022. I have a build a strong reputation within the corporate, lifestyle and luxury circle. In addition to my business; I work as an advisor for Diplomats and Ministers managing their regional logistical meetings around the region.

Riham Essam, the head of Social Media Production for CNN Business Arabic, is a digital media and content expert. Essam has 20 years of experience in the Digital Media Industry, including Digital Content Management, Digital Transformation, Content Monetization, Digital Marketing, Media Partnerships, and Communication. Throughout her career, Essam worked with leading players in the news and digital media sector, including Vodafone, Thompson Reuters Foundation, Microsoft, and Meta, before joining the CNN Business Arabic team

Jad Sayegh co-founded Sarwa, the one-stop platform for investment and personal finance, after a career in software and finance including projects ranging from speech recognition to large-scale, cloud-based systems, with previous experience including engineering roles at high-speed-trading hedge funds and tech giants. His interests range from artificial intelligence and EdTech, to culture, team building and mentoring new tech entrepreneurs. Jad studied at McGill University and has been recognized in the Forbes 30 under 30 lists.

Zai is a specialist in the field of empowerment, personal transformation, and visionary leadership. Despite an accident that gave her only a 5% chance of walking again, she persevered and became a source of inspiration for millions. Her unique blend of personal resilience and entrepreneurial acumen makes her a sought-after speaker. Mission: Empowering organizations and individuals to transcend limits, ignite ambition, and drive visionary change.

Jana Habson, the visionary founder of My Conscious Mind Mental Health Center in Dubai, boasts an eclectic academic journey. Armed with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Psychology, she embarked on a compelling path that initially led her to earn a Bachelor’s in Actuarial Science. However, her pursuit of knowledge didn’t stop there. Jana is currently pursuing a doctorate in business administration. The captivating twist in her story lies in her transition from the world of business to psychology. Jana’s motivation for this shift is driven by her belief that nothing is more intriguing than unraveling the complexities of human behavior. Her profound fascination with the human mind and behavior propelled her to make this transformative career change, emphasizing her unwavering commitment to understanding and enhancing mental well-being.

Founder & CEO @ overwrite.ai – The ONLY Artificial Intelligence Proptech startup from MENA in NVIDIA’s Inception accelerator | Real Estate AI Pioneer | Public Speaker | ex Head of Real Estate @ EmiratesNBD Private Bank

Sandra Helou is the CEO and Co-Founder of MetaMinds, a pioneering Metaverse and spatial web company. She has emerged as one of the most prominent figures and public speakers in web3 and the Metaverse. In addition to her role at MetaMinds, Sandra holds the position of GCC lead and is part of the recently formed CEO Office at Zilliqa Group. Sandra’s influence extends beyond her role at MetaMinds. She is a sought-after media commentator and international speaker, frequently sharing her insights at global blockchain, web3, metaverse and future tech events. Her significant contributions have earned her a place among the influential “”Women of the Future””, a ranking by Global Village Publishing of the top female change-makers in Web3 for the metaverse. Sandra has also presented at Museum of the Future Dubai on the topic of Metaverse.

Nada Lena is the founder and CEO of Rise Up For You, #1 Best Selling Author, and 2x TEDx Motivational Speaker. Nada has been featured on hundreds of podcasts and radio shows as well as a featured motivational and educational speaker globally. She’s spoken on platforms alongside the greats such as Tony Robbins, Les Brown, Marie Forleo, David Meltzer, and more! She can be seen and heard on Canada’s Global TV, Radio Canada, Amazon Prime TV, and Bloomberg as one of the only female co-hosts of The Office Hours, a talk show that interviews celebrities, athletes, and world-renowned entrepreneurs. Most recently she was featured on a billboard in Times Square New York for her work with corporations and leaders.

Riaz is a senior editor at Hill&Knowlton, working on the Visa, Ford, and ADNOC Distribution accounts across the Corporate & Brand and Energy & Industrials practices to help clients shape the stories they want to tell their stakeholders. In addition to his day-to-day clients, Riaz has supported the TECOM, Disney, PwC, and Department of Culture & Tourism accounts. He has drafted op-eds, sector- and topic-led features on behalf of client C-Suite leaders; interviewed board-level management for internal communications purposes; designed agendas for client conferences; assisted in the development of messaging houses; and created content on-ground at events. He has also designed and delivered narrative and storytelling workshops for internal training and to clients. Riaz regularly represents H&K as a panel moderator at high-level conferences, including Step, Fast Company Middle East’s Impact Council, Green Goals and World-Changing Ideas summits, and NextTech by MIT Sloan Middle East. He joined H&K from ITP, where he was commercial editor with Arabian Business and CEO Magazine. A trained journalist, Riaz liaised with editorial, client and sales teams to produce branded written, video, and audio thought leadership across digital and print. Prior to this, as a sub-editor and staff writer at Gulf News, he contributed to hundreds of reports spanning B2B/B2C tech, lifestyle, healthcare, fitness, education, culture and business topics. Riaz has interviewed individuals from different walks of life – from executive chefs to e-commerce leaders, ambassadors, fintech CEOs, best-selling authors, surgeons, product design chiefs, video game developers, VR experts and fitness gurus. In 2015, he helped conceptualize and launch #GNTECH, Gulf News’ consumer tech platform. 

Gehad Essam, a journalist at CNN Business Arabic, reporting on Tech, Media and Health. Throughout my journey with CNNBA, I have worked on several in-depth reports focusing on AI and its effects on the media and health industries. After working for 7 years in the pharmaceutical industry in one of the biggest multinational companies, I decided to shift my career and follow my passion in media. I paved my way in this field by first obtaining my master’s degree in TV and Digital Journalism from the American University in Cairo, and then explored different opportunities with several media outlets that led me eventually to my current exciting role at CNNBA.

Award Winning Canadian-Lebanese Film Director. Born amidst the tumultuous Lebanese War, Elie El Semaan spent his formative years navigating the diverse landscapes of Lebanon and Calgary, Alberta (Canada). This early exposure to varying cultures provided him with a unique perspective, shaping the trajectory of his future career. Renowned for his meticulous attention to detail and exceptional skills in directing actors, Elie seamlessly merges artistic beauty from music videos and advertisements with the authenticity of the real world in drama and film. Holding a Masters Degree in Film Directing, Elie graduated with high distinction, showcasing his dedication to mastering his craft. His educational journey also includes a BA in Communication Arts Radio/TV, complemented by continuous participation in film workshops worldwide.

Ankit is the Founder & CEO of A2D Ventures – a fast growing community-led startup investing platform from Southeast Asia that serves the growing needs of angel investors, family offices and startup founders alike. Ankit brings a wealth of experience and passion in building, scaling and operating businesses. His journey has taken him from California to Asia, including management consulting at McKinsey & Company, Exec roles at Shopee (SEA’s largest e-commerce firm), and semiconductors manufacturing. He advocates for providing visionary founders with the necessary support in terms of capital, mentorship, network access, thought partnership, and management skills. Recognizing the practical impact of these resources, Ankit actively promotes the invaluable role of angel investors in shaping the success of promising ventures and their outsized impact in value creation.

Co-founder and CEO at Zest Equity

Divyat is an investment professional with several years of experience in investing, consulting, and startup operations. Before joining DFDF, Divyat worked with Klub, a leading fintech company in India, to set up and operate their $30m Revenue-Based Financing fund. Previously, Divyat led the investment team at Dubai-based Spartech Ventures. He was responsible for their first fund’s end-to-end deal cycle, including sourcing, deal evaluation, negotiations, and closing, investing in 10 deals across MENA. Divyat has also partnered with early-stage startups as an angel investor for his family firm in India, having sourced and executed more than 40 investments globally. Divyat holds a Master of Finance from the University of Cambridge and a Bachelor’s in Economics from Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University.

With more than 15 years of experience in healthcare and corporate wellness Christine has a demonstrated history of successfully working in both the private and public sector healthcare industries across Ireland, the UK and the UAE. Christine has a Physiotherapy frontline background with a BSc (Physio) degree from University College Dublin as well as a Masters in Sport and Exercise Medicine from Trinity College Dublin and digital health qualifications from Imperial College London. She has vast experience working in the field of corporate health, injury diagnosis, rehabilitation, sports medicine and well-being. In recent years her focus has been on corporate health assisting many companies across different industries to improve their employees health and output by ensuring their ergonomic needs are met from a functional and compliance perspective. Christine also works closely with a number of health tech start ups assisting with clinical content and output as well as business development due to her established connections across many sectors in the region.

Deepak Gupta, a forward-thinking technologist with a career spanning over two decades at the nexus of technology and business. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to shape the FinTech and investment banking domain with technical strategies, cross-functional teams, and remarkable results that propel organisations to new heights. Throughout his career, Deepak has been the mastermind behind the development of extensive innovation leaveraging AI, ML and Data science, resilient engineering platforms, adaptable and highly scalable FinTech solutions, websites, applications, and products, all designed to provide cutting-edge functionality and intelligence to end-users. Deepak staunchly advocates for technology as a driving force for positive change, going beyond mere trend-chasing to strategically harness its potential in addressing complex challenges, optimizing operational efficiency, and fostering innovative products and services. His visionary leadership revolves around navigating organizations through this transformative technological landscape, ensuring they become agile, competitive, and future-proof.

Eric is an entrepreneur who builds businesses through modern marketing and management practices. He is a well-known speaker and thought-leader on all things growth – including marketing, sales, management, and innovation. Over the last 15 years he’s been lucky enough to help build some of the biggest brands in the world, He was a first-15 employee and MD, EMEA of VaynerMedia, founded by Gary Vaynerchuck. He was the CMO of 11:FS for nearly three years, a global fintech consultancy. He is now the co-founder and CEO of Rival, a marketing consultancy that builds challenger brands, strategies and marketing capabilities to change categories. Rival is one of the fastest growing consulting firms in the US and UK, working with brands like Reebok, JP Morgan, Unilever, and Jumeirah Group.

Rami Al Karmi a distinguished disruptor, futurist, investor, and innovation strategist, mainly interested in Edtech, Islamic Finance & Fintech and Future of Work. He is the Executive Chairman of Ab(new)normal Inc, focusing on AI & Blockchain-based ventures. Alongside this role, he is the host and curator of ashra X Collective and serves as Innovation and Entrepreneurship Professor of Practice and Director of the Digital Learning Center at Al Hussein Technical University (HTU). Formerly, he was SVP-Chief Innovation Officer at Jordan Ahli Bank, where he was the first to be approved for this role by Central Bank of Jordan. A TEDx and NASA Cross Summit Innovation X speaker, and serves on numerous boards, including the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI), Fintech Galaxy, Al Raed Arabi School, Wafra Business, and Think Barter Network (TBN).

Clementine is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of CodeBrave, a non-profit and social enterprise equipping Lebanon’s youth with the tech skills to lift themselves out of poverty. CodeBrave provides free coding education to over 1,000 underprivileged youth per year, funded in part by their private tutoring service, CodeBrave Tutors. CodeBrave is now the leading children’s coding NGO in Lebanon, has been named one of the top 5 MENA startups featured in WIRED (2023), and given Deloitte’s Fast 50 Impact Award (2023). Clem speaks on topics related to STEAM education and child-led learning approaches, and has been featured in Al Jazeera and The Week UK. Prior to founding CodeBrave, Clem worked at the United Nations as a data analyst. She has a BA in Arabic & Persian from Oxford University.

Hisham A. Kassim is the managing partner of Kassim Legal, a family-run boutique law firm based in Amman, Jordan specializing in cross-border M&A transactions, venture capital and private equity transactions, and international tax. To date, Hisham has successfully closed over 100 M&A and corporate transactions representing numerous funds and corporations throughout the MENA region, the U.S., the U.K., and Europe. Several of these transactions include multi-million dollar Series A and B transactions. Hisham is fluent in Arabic and English and is a published scholar in major U.S. law reviews. Hisham holds a J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law, and an LL.M. in International Legal Studies from the New York University School of Law.

Karim Tout is the Head of AI at uqudo, specializing in Computer Vision and Machine Learning, with a strong focus on pioneering R&D projects for innovative digital identity and quality control solutions. He has several years of experience leading AI teams and building AI-based computer vision products across diverse industries. Together with his team, they leverage the latest state-of-art AI techniques to develop the best overall product in the digital identity space to position uqudo as the leader in KYC identity verification. Our motto is to develop fast, lightweight, robust, unbiased, and trustworthy products to ensure a seamless and compliant onboarding experience for our clients. Karim holds a PhD degree in computer vision and continues to have academic contributions by providing professional training and academic teaching as invited professor.

Lucy is known as one of the “OG” tech investors in the UAE. Her recently published book, “Changing The Game”, highlights the importance of digital technologies (in sectors such as gaming) and its relevance to the future of work. Lucy is an advocate and capacity builder focused on digital transformation as it applies to businesses, as well as the education sector. Her role as Advisor, 2022FemaleAngels and Representative, World Business Angels Investment Forum is both on increasing funding for entrepreneurs, as well as to achieve gender equity in the investment ecosystem in MENA. Lucy is a Linkedin TopVoice and one of CEO Middle East’s Influential Women in the Arab World. She was recognized by Arabian Business as one of 50 Inspiring Female Business Leaders in 2022 and again in 2023. She is Top 100 Women of the Future and HSBC Middle East featured her as one of 75 outstanding individuals, who have contributed to the UAE’s rise.

As Program Manager at Village Capital, Alper focuses on the design and delivery of programs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. He is particularly passionate about the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in addressing important challenges faced by developing countries. Prior to joining Village Capital, Alper was part of the programs team at ‘imece’, where he implemented support programs for early-stage impact startups. Additionally, he founded Arkhé Innovate, an innovation community that helps young impact-makers in Turkey acquire the necessary resources and connections to put their solutions into practice.

With more than two decades of experience in leadership roles across the globe, Mercedes has cultivated expertise in strategic management, high-performance environments and international leadership. She seamlessly succeeded in implementing her knowledge towards founding Parkron, an innovative smart parking solution in the social and sustainable ecosystem. Her expertise lies in leveraging resources within to achieve success. Mercedes is a visionary tech founder in the dynamic world of technology and innovation. With a relentless passion for pushing boundaries, Mercedes is reshaping the landscape of smart cities and the tech industry with profound curiosity and a determination to create transformative solutions.

Dr Sandrine Atallah is a consultant in sexual medicine, a certified psychosexologist and a hypnotherapist. Along with her private medical practice in sexology and hypnosis in Beirut at La Clinique du Levant and at AUBMC, she teaches Human Sexuality at several Lebanese universities. Member (Past Secretary General) of the Middle East Society of Sexual Medicine (MESSM), she was the chairman of its Public Awareness Committee. Member at large of the ISSM (International Society for Sexual Medicine), she is also a board member of the Société Francophone de Médecine Sexuelle (SFMS). Actively working on promoting sexual health in the Middle East, she has participated in the development of the MESSM public information website. Among her social media activities, she was the chair of the ISSM Communication Committee. She was the social media editor of the MESSM and the social media coeditor of the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Dedicated to spreading sexual awareness, she is the editor and the host of ‘Hakeh Sareeh, a podcast show produced by Hakawati, an Arabic podcasting platform. She co-founded Metle Metlik alongside Dr. Gael Abou Ghannam, a pioneering digital platform dedicated to the educational empowerment and support of Arab women in their sexual and reproductive health. She is the editor and host of ‘Sexual Health’ Web videos for several Web TV and educational websites along with her own YouTube channel. She co-edited and co-hosted ‘Lezim Taaref’, a TV Show for LBCI, Lebanon. She is a regular guest/speaker at local and international conferences and seminars related to sexual medicine, sexual health and sexual awareness.

Mustafa Bosca is the Co-founder and Chief Decarbonization Officer of CarbonSifr, a UAE founded climate tech to easily measure, reduce and remove carbon footprint of businesses. In his current role, he supports SMEs and mid-corporates in their net zero journeys with technology solutions. He is an expert on carbon accounting, climate finance, emissions reduction solutions and carbon removal technologies. Prior to CarbonSifr, Mustafa led social impact and banking for BCG in the Middle East as a Managing Director and Partner. He also worked as a development banker earlier in his career at the Islamic Development Bank funding SDG projects in Central Asia and Bangladesh. He holds an MBA from INSEAD and MSc in Industrial Engineering from GeorgiaTech.

Hussam is a serial entrepreneur and a tech communities leader. For over a decade, his focus was set on developing high-impact capacity-building initiatives and programs aiming to enable the region youth, developers, and startup founders. Currently, leading the learning transformation with Al Aan TV [pan-arab media network] to empower learners across our region in advancing their skills across the industry and beyond. Prior to this role, he led the Microsoft Reactor across the Middle East & Africa, the developers and founders hub, and the home to Microsoft for Startups. Hussam is widely-recognized by governments, and leading organizations locally and internationally. Listed on Forbes 30 Under 30 list for his regional contributions to Education, and named a YAL Changemaker by Young Arab Leaders among many other recognitions.

Ray Jang, CEO and founder of Atria, is deeply focused on helping brands create high quality ad creatives at 10x faster speed. Ray spent nine years honing his product management skills working at various early stage startups often as the first product management hire and with a most recent stint at TikTok, as a senior product manager. Ray graduated summa cum laude with a double degree from Columbia University and Sciences Po Paris. He speaks English, Korean, and conversational French and Mandarin and has lived in Hong Kong, Paris, New York, Silicon Valley and Singapore.

Syrine joined the Hambro Perks Oryx Fund in June 2021 and is based full-time UAE. She focuses on sourcing investment opportunities, executing new investments, and portfolio management. Syrine previously worked at EQ2 Ventures as an Investment Associate. Prior to EQ2 Ventures, Syrine worked as a Private Equity Analyst at Rothschild in Paris. Syrine holds a bachelor’s in economics & management and a master’s in finance from Université Paris Dauphine. Syrine is fluent in three languages: English, Arabic, and French.

Nouran Ghannam (also known as Nono) is the cofounder of Stllr Network, the next-gen creative platform. It connects local creators, creatives and marketers across the Arab World to 100+ brands. Their focus in 2024 will be primarily on video content projects. She is also with Startups Galaxy, a popular channel showcasing the Egyptian entrepreneurship ecosystem for a gen-z audience. Swipes right to content, storytelling, marketing, growth hacking and building with AI. Talk to her about anything on the coming golden era of the Arab World. When OOO, she’s with friends, or travelling with her husband and their two cats, Bella and Benito.

Alexa Hall is a Silicon Valley native who is passionate about livable cities, the arts, and learning centered travel. She has spent the last 15 years working to support entrepreneurs, and has managed over $200M in investment funds at high value organizations. Most recently, she was the Director of the prestigious Kauffman Fellows Program. Earlier in her career, Alexa developed direct funding for social entrepreneurs with Google and the Hewlett Foundation. In addition to her corporate roles, she runs a financial growth consultancy called Wildseed Capital and is raising an early investment vehicle for global city infrastructure under the name Earthseed Capital Fund.

Pooja Monga has a conscious change management firm where she uses neuroscience based interventions to create positive behavioural change in the organisations. She has developed a series of change management programs that develop organisation capability from the inside out. Her firm’s core focus is in the holistic development of a team where the employees are engaged, have a positive wellbeing and are performing at an optimal capacity.

Alnura Belyalova is a distinguished PR & Marketing Director with over 7 years of invaluable international experience. Known for her dynamic leadership and strategic mindset, Alnura currently oversees all PR and Communications activities for high-profile clients at Luna PR, including government entities like RAK DAO and Web3 industry giants like Wemade, CertiK, Bitwave, and many others.

Sharif El-Badawi is the Chief Executive Officer of the newly established Dubai Future District Fund, an evergreen venture fund of funds and direct investment vehicle of the emirate of Dubai. The fund is anchored by Dubai Future Foundation and the Dubai International Financial Centre to invest in the Future of Finance and Future Economies with the aim of bolstering economic development in Dubai, the UAE and the broader region.

Ali is Founding Partner at 212. Ali has spent his career focused on technology and communications investments. After graduating from the University of Michigan, in 1999, Ali joined Arthur Andersen in New York where he oversaw mid-market transactions in technology, media, and telecommunications. In 2002, he joined Morgan Stanley Capital International where he managed the North American and European finance teams. Ali spent a year from 2007-2008 at Deutsche Bank where he served on the bank’s principal investments team. In 2008, he shifted his focus to the Middle East where he seized on the opportunity to work on helping companies go to scale. He worked with the Turkish government and private sector on finance and private equity projects. At 212, Ali serves on the boards of Avatao, App Samurai, Fazla Gida, Insider, Metrobi, Solvoyo, and Smartmessage. In addition, Ali sits on the Advisory Board of Endeavor and is a member of the Istanbul chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization.

Deborah Henning is a business strategist with 18 years experience building brands and bringing them to stable profitability. Her mission is to help business owners thrive through balance not drive to burnout. With her 360 approach, she brings in all elements of mindset, health and business building, to support entrepreneurs to build the business of their dreams as well as the ideal life they want to live.

Director for Entrepreneurship for the London School of Economics, managing a community of innovators who can engage with our programme, seek mentorship, funding and a home where they can be equipped to go out and solve some of society’s most pressing problems. Prior to LSE she ran her own careers and recruitment consultancy focussed on climate change and before that I worked in TV. She is passionate about parent-tech, and any innovation that clearly contributes to a better tomorrow.

Lubna is the CEO & Founder of Stories, a coaching portal that supports founders and corporate leaders tell the world the right stories and most importantly shift the stories they tell themselves. Under her leadership, Stories was just named ‘Most Innovative Mental Health Tech’ for 2023 by Mentl. She is a board member for griefstories.org, an ICF accredited (PCC) coach and a member of Gabor Mate’s Compassionate Inquiry Community. Lubna has coached leaders in Fortune500 organizations and in the following organisations: CocaCola, Google, American Express, BP, Bayer, Square, BASF, Whiteboard Advisors, US Department of Airforce, Federal Aviation Administration, DaVita, and CVC Health Corporation. Lubna is also a speaker, having spoken in and moderated large conferences, including TEDx,and Euromoney Conferences. Through her talks, she has shared the stage with ministers, leading entrepreneurs, and global innovators, including Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple. She has moderated workshops for Fortune 500 companies and has also spoken in many podcasts around the world. She is also the author of the book ‘Enhancing Business Community Relations’ published by the United Nations Development Program and is currently working on her next book ‘Crack The Egg’. She has also been featured in various books including Something to Believe In: Creating Trust and Hope in Organisations: Stories of Transparency, Accountability and Governance’ She is a contributor in Entrepreneur magazine and has been featured in various newspapers. She has worked for more than 20 years in leadership and / or consulting roles within International blue-chip organizations and across various industries, including e-commerce, banking, FMCG, and human development. She served on executive committees in Global firms, including Coca-Cola, the UNDP, and BNP Paribas. Finally, she is a proud mum and an advocate for Women in Leadership positions. As a change agent, she uses her voice to uplift other women.

Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the tech enabled world of renewables and environment. Skilled in Negotiation, Foreign Languages, Public Speaking, Management, and Teamwork. Strong business development professional with a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) focused in Petroleum and Pterochemicals Engineering from Cairo University Petroleum and Petrochemicals Engineering.

With over 20 years of international and cross-industry experience, Medea is a senior executive specialized in M&A and investments, corporate development and strategy, innovation and digital transformation, as well as sustainability and impact. She currently serves as a Senior Partner at Global Ventures, an international venture capital firm investing in startups with innovative business models and disruptive technologies, with the potential to transform frontier markets, and scale globally. She is also the founder of C3 – Companies Creating Change, now part of Global Ventures, a UAE-based social enterprise helping impact-driven entrepreneurs unlock their growth potential and maximize their positive impact on the community. She is a trained Co-Active Coach and Enneagram enthusiast, and hold an MBA from Columbia Business School, and engineering degrees from Politecnico di Torino and CentraleSupelec.

Anastasiya Golovatenko is an accomplished PR professional and business advisor who leads a Dubai-based communications consultancy Sherpa Communications. With more than 12 years of expertise developing and executing all aspects of public relations and marketing campaigns, she provides senior counsel to brands of any size and structure, helping them achieve business objectives and meaningful results through the strategic use of communication. She has experience across various sectors -from B2B to B2C industries, and has worked with MENA, international and CIS clients, diplomatic bodies, trade institutions, government institutions, and NGOs- supporting them both in-house and on the agency side. Anastasiya and her colleagues also actively support a rising number of startups and SMEs in the UAE and Middle East region providing advice on best practices and tactics for effective scaling up and business growth. She prides herself on establishing a personal connection with agency’s clients to best match their specific needs. A passionate public relations practitioner, Anastasiya is actively involved in community groups in the UAE helping individuals and businesses master PR tools for their projects. She is also involved in mentorship programs by in5 in Dubai, UAE. She writes for the UAE and international media on important industry topics sharing tips and advice on effective communication, reputation management, savvy marketing planning amongst others. Anastasiya graduated with honors from Kiev Institute of International Relations, where she earned Master Degree in Public Relations & Analytics (Hons.).

14 years experience in the energy and utilities domain across 8 different geographies. Passionate about eradicating inefficiencies in the electricity distribution sector to preserve our planet. Together with my co-founder Omar Radi, and blessed with a team of warriors, we are on a mission to become the first Gigacorn by offsetting 1 Gigaton of CO2 emissions.

Stefania Brunori is a Marketing Specialist, Personal Branding Expert and Business Coach with over 20 years international experience in managerial positions. Having worked in Europe and the Middle East, her core areas of expertise are Personal Branding, Brand Strategy, Digital/Social Media and Integrated Marketing Practice, developing and implementing solid strategies and marketing campaigns to facilitate companies and individuals expand beyond their limits. Originally from Europe, she has been working in the UAE for 13 years, both for multinational companies such as Teka and Nokia and Middle East leaders & SME corporations with regional reach. Her entrepreneurial career started in 2015, when she conceptualized and launched the Middle East’s most complete website for Yoga & Meditation. Since then, she’s been working with Start-Ups, SMEs and Social Impact Entrepreneurs to enable their growth with the best practices of success. She provides Personal Branding & Business Coaching sessions and workshops too, where she brings together her expertise in Brand Strategy, Coaching and Growth Mindset techniques. She is also a Females Entrepreneur Mentor at the United Nations, table moderator and recently delivered a keynote speech at TED talks.

Zain, a versatile entrepreneur, investor, and consultant, has honed his expertise over a decade, bridging Eastern and Western markets with finesse in the Middle East. His standout strength lies in spearheading successful business development initiatives, establishing a robust startup pipeline focused on South Asian and Arab startups. Zain’s visionary leadership empowers startups through market entry strategies and growth capital, unlocking their potential regionally. His astute understanding of the business landscape enables crafting effective market entry strategies, establishing key partnerships, and securing funding for sustainable growth. In January 2022, Zain strategically relocated to Georgia, USA, driving Magnus Group’s success. With offices in the USA, UAE, and Pakistan, Zain’s acumen ensures Magnus Group’s continued expansion and prominence.

Businesswoman focused on high- impact projects at the intersections of fintech, gaming, AI and Web 3 technologies with over 10 years’ experience in equity markets and crypto. Networking wizard with an unparalleled network across founders and investors communities, Stefania is a sought-after advisor, executive and angel investor. She is the founded the Public and Investor Relations agency Cassiopeia Services and is the creator of the financial + crypto podcast FinancialFox. https://www.youtube.com/financialfoxTV Named as one of the British most extravagant crypto evangelists and businesswomen; Stefania is a public speaker and was featured as one of Yahoo Finance’s top 10 female influencers in 2022. She is a board member of London-listed Ondo Insurtech, the first UK-listed Insurtech company. Stefania is a fellow and alumna of Oxford University and has two MAs: International Journalism from Westminster University (UK) and TV Production from IULM University (Italy), and has executive qualifications in Venture Capital from Imperial College in London.

Fadi Ghandour is the Executive Chairman of Wamda Group, a platform that invests, nurtures and builds entrepreneurship eco-systems across the Middle East and North Africa. Fadi was also the co-founder of Aramex, one of the leading global logistics companies based in Dubai. Fadi spent the first 30 years of his work life as CEO of Aramex, building the company, to become one of the leading emerging market logistics companies, and making it the first company from the Arab world to be listed on Nasdaq. Passionate about impact and social entrepreneurship, Fadi founded and chairs Ruwwad for Development, a private-sector led community engagement platform that helps marginalized communities, across several countries in the MENA region, overcome marginalization through activism, civic engagement, education and financial inclusion.

Issa’s career has focused on finance and investments for the past 20 years with a focus on Venture Capital. He started his career in investment banking and transitioned into the MENA Venture Capital space in 2006 as a founding member of Accelerator technologies, one of the first venture funds in the Arab world. He has since occupied numerous roles that include M&A consultant at Yahoo!, Head of Investment at N2V – a regional Venture Builder, and Head of Investments and Venture Capital at twofour54. Prior to establishing Access Bridge Ventures, Issa headed IFC’s Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan and Europe’s venture investments both from a Direct and Indirect (accelerators and fund of fund) perspective. His track record includes, having invested in 65+ direct and indirect investment deals (from $100K to $25M per transaction), managed over $150m in MENA Venture funds, launched the UAE’s first Accelerator, fully exited 6+ MENA based deals, supported with 2 IPOs and much more. Issa now the founder and managing partner of Access Bridge Ventures, an early stage MEPAP focused Venture Fund with over 18 investments to date and growing

Saqr Mashhor Ereiqat is the Co-Founder of Crypto Oasis Ventures, a Web3 Venture studio, purpose-built for the Crypto Oasis Ecosystem, which is the fastest-growing ecosystem in the world. Before devoting himself to Crypto Oasis Ventures, Saqr served as a consultant for fintech, blockchain solutions, healthcare, and innovation management. He is a thirteen-year veteran of IBM in the Middle East and Africa. He was the former Head of Public Sector Consultancy in Dubai for IBM, where he was recognized as a pioneer in enterprise blockchain, being a co-author of the first IBM blockchain for government methodology and helping define the official government blockchain strategy of Dubai. While at IBM, Saqr led projects in 23 countries across Europe, Middle East & Africa where he worked with both public and private sector entities to define, create, and implement their blockchain strategies. Saqr serves on the Advisory Board of the Global Innovation Institute. He is currently also working with the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), the Arab Youth Center, and the Founder Institute as a mentor supporting startups in the region. In the field of healthcare, Saqr has advised several large hospital conglomerates on their technology strategy and set up the National Health Lab for Emerging Technology for the Saudi Arabian Government.

Erich Sieber is the Founding General Partner of PeakBridge, a global expert venture & growth fund manager focused on FoodTech. PeakBridge manages today three FoodTech funds with AuM of over €200M and invested in some 25 portfolio companies in Europe, Israel and the US around the five verticals of ingredients, alternative protein technologies, digitalization, nutrition, and alternative farming. Prior to creating PeakBridge in 2018, Erich was Partner at Nestlé’s €750M strategic “fund-of-one” since its creation in 2001, investing in agritech, foodtech and health & nutrition start-ups. Formerly an executive at Nestlé, the World Economic Forum and the German Finance Ministry. Erich received a B.A. in Business Economics and Law from HSG University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, a tri-lingual MBA of EAP-ESCP (Paris-Oxford-Berlin), and an L.L.M. in Financial Law of Geneva University, Switzerland.

Kiyan Foroughi, CEO and Co-Founder of Needle, is a serial entrepreneur passionate about helping brands grow. With a background in investment banking and private equity, he co-founded Boticca, a London-based fashion e-commerce marketplace for brands, later acquired by Wolf & Badger. Kiyan then co-founded Electric8, a profitable growth agency in Singapore which inspired his latest venture. Needle is an AI marketer for young brands in the fashion, beauty and lifestyle industries, built off the back of his experience of acquiring and retaining millions of customers worldwide for brands as a CMO. Kiyan is a graduate of Tufts University and has lived in Paris, Dubai, Boston, New York, London and now Singapore. Fluent in English, French, Farsi, and social Italian, he has a love for neo-soul, hip-hop, and R&B music, actively producing tracks in his spare time.

Mo is the VP of Careem Pay. Previously, Mo co-founded Mamo, a leading fintech payments startup in the Middle East. Mo has served as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Global Ventures as well as on the Investment Committee at Dubai Angel Investors. He previously led Google Play’s efforts in the MENA and Turkey region. Mo started off his career in management consulting with Booz & Company and went on to become CCO @Telly after their acquisition of his initial startup Sha-Sha TV. He has an MBA from Stanford GSB and undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering from the American University of Beirut and Georgia Tech

Anna Tutova is a public speaker, Fortune media journalist and CEO of Coinstelegram, crypto-media group and consulting agency. Anna holds a degree of Master in International Law. She is an expert in public relations and business development, featured on CNBC Arabia TV, Forbes Middle East, Nasdaq, Finance Yahoo, Gulf News, Cointelegraph. Additionally, Anna is a Partner at Fintech company https://kyc-pay.com/ , marketplace for direct matching business with financial and legal providers, Furthermore Anna is a co-producer of the documentary film “Decentralized – no Matter What” on the new era of the digital economy(featuring El Salvador’s government officials, Vitalik Buterin(creator Ethereum), CZ, Founder Binance, Sandeep Nailwal, Polygon Founder, Charles Hoskinson, Founder Cardano, Justin Sun, Founder Tron, Sebastien Borget, co-Founder Sandbox, Chairman DMCC, Head of Dubai blockchain center etc.). Link on the light version of the film: https://youtu.be/jP5W8PmyC1c

Abhishek Kar is a seasoned Energy and Sustainability expert who seamlessly integrates technology and business acumen. With over a decade of dedicated service in the Energy sector, his journey encompasses both traditional power systems and cutting-edge technologies such as Smart Grids, Microgrids, Green Hydrogen, and e-Mobility. Educated in Engineering and holding an MBA, Abhishek has cultivated extensive experience in leading and guiding teams across Sales, Operations, and Product Management, affording him a holistic understanding of end-to-end business strategies. Abhishek is well-versed in Sustainability, Decarbonization, and Clean Energy technologies. He has been actively working with industries and organizations across Middle east on these topics. He fervently advocates for climate change awareness and the education of clean technologies, considering it a purpose close to his heart.

With over 20 years or retail technology experience Ed is a leader in delivering transformational projects for customers in the region. Having worked for technology vendors, agencies and integrators he has a clear understanding of the challenges and how to address them.

Shinez has a track record of supporting startups through her previous roles in Google Ads MENA, McKinsey Middle East and Bell (Canada). Shinez is an industrial engineer and holds an MBA from the University of Oxford.

Caroline Guyot is the Managing Director of ENGIE Factory Asia-Pacific, which she co-founded in 2018 to develop new solutions for the energy transition. Caroline has spent her career working with entrepreneurs to address social and environmental issues. She started her career with Ashoka, the world’s leading network of social entrepreneurs, where she oversaw a global accelerator. Based out of London and then Singapore, she also launched an initiative for young entrepreneurs across Asia: ChangemakerXChange. More recently, she worked as Managing Director of Reseau Entreprendre, a support network for entrepreneurs, and launched Forward, a new accelerator for impact startups in Brussels. Caroline is passionate about driving impact through new startup ideas and creating synergies across multiple stakeholders. She is also an active angel investor and startup advisor.

Zohare (zo-hay-rr) is a 3x and award-winning entrepreneur, building jalebi.io, an award-winning and Techstars-backed B2B software-as-a-service (SaaS) product company. He previously founded Digital Street (digital.st), an award-winning digital agency, built Micro Drip, a venture-backed agritech startup, and is deeply involved with the regional startup ecosystem, following a 15-year stint with corporate life.

Karam is a seasoned entrepreneur and fintech innovator, who stands at the forefront of financial technology with over a decade of product development experience. As a second-time founder, he has navigated the highs and lows of the startup world, emerging with invaluable insights. Karam is passionate about mentoring emerging entrepreneurs, sharing lessons learned from multiple failures and successes. He firmly believe in the synergy of technology and human empathy, advocating that this blend is crucial for long-term benefits in today’s world. Karam’s journey is not just about creating cutting-edge products; it’s about inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs to build technology solutions with a human heart.

Waseem Afzal brings 19 years of Media and Ad-tech experience to the table. With leadership roles at Omnicom Media Group and TikTok, he’s well-versed in consumer behavior and Ad Technology. Waseem is now running a bootstrap startup, www.platformance.io, focused on aiding e-commerce and app-based advertisers in the MENA region. His passion lies in making advertising more effective in the digital platformization era.

Jenny Zeng is a serial entrepreneur in the Chinese private equity fund space with over 20 years of experience in the VC/PE sector. She has witnessed and actively participated in the development of the Chinese private equity funds ecosystem from inception to its growth. In 2014, she founded MSA Capital and serves as a co-founder and Managing Partner, leading all China based investments from the fund. Prior to founding MSA Capital, Zeng served as the first Executive Director of the China Venture Capital Association (CVCA) in 2002 and went on to establish Fenggu Investment in 2004, a leading investment bank in China, successfully raising hundreds of millions of dollars in financing for numerous rapidly growing companies across various industries.

Ms. Nada Sayarh Lebbar has 20+ years of Strategy, marketing and ESG experience working for global blue-chip companies (P&G, Colgate Palmolive, Shell, Consulting) with 15+ years of experience in Academia in Switzerland. Her topics of interest are Sustainable business models, Female education, ESG and Technology, Responsible Marketing and making our planet more sustainable. She is passionate about bridging academia, the industry, nonprofits, and public policy makers to build responsible leaders that are ready for future jobs and global challenges. She works with these stakeholders to drive ESG impact through the below involvements: – Content head for the sustainability squad for the Marketing Society in Dubai – Founder of the project « Rise Up Girls » for high school girls’ empowerment in rural areas through education, targeting 300 girls – Member of the environment group of the Swiss business council – Member of the sustainability committee of the Supply chain and logistics group in Dubai.

Tatiana Antonelli Abella is the Founder and Managing Director of Goumbook, a Social Enterprise established in 2009 and dedicated to raising awareness among the local community on Sustainability and Green Living.

Jessica is the Co-Founder and Chief of Sustainability Communications and Marketing at Olive Gaea, a UAE leading Climate-Tech company automating decarbonization. A seasoned PR, Communications, and Sustainability professional with a solid background in international affairs, public policy, and foresight, Jessica helped organizations navigate through shifting economic, geopolitical, and social landscapes across the MENA region for the past 14 years, advising businesses and government entities on Communications and Sustainability strategies to mitigate risks, protect reputation, and improve stakeholder relations. Holding a B.A. in Political Science, an M.A. in International Affairs from the University of Turin, and an MA in Strategic Public Relations from The George Washington University (US), Jessica is certified in Corporate Sustainability Strategies from the Harvard Extension School, Sustainability by the Massachusets Institute of Technology (MIT), and Reputation Management from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Emine is a distinguished senior executive with a proven track record in Finance and Strategy Management, Strategy Execution, and investor relations. Her expertise extends to Go-To-Market, Product Launching, Marketing, Communications, and Business Development. A visionary change leader and entrepreneur, Emine crafts and leads innovative business strategies, motivating teams for organizational success. Holding a Master’s degree in Auditing and Finance from Istanbul University, she is pursuing further education in Innovation in Healthcare at Harvard University. Seamlessly merging multinational big corporate matrix companies with domestic firm culture, Emine’s core values include Persistence, Integrity, Honesty, and Trust. She is a formidable advocate for DEI, creating environments that prioritize diversity and inclusion. In her role with a domestic family company, Emine devised a growth strategy, expanding operations into Europe, Sweden, and Dubai. Her unwavering dedication to excellence, innovation, and advancing DEI makes her a formidable asset for organizations.

Ali Hashemi is an early-stage venture investor, specializing in health-tech innovation, emphasizing the synergy of human-machine solutions in healthcare. He is also the CEO of meta[bolic], a healthcare company known for exceptional patient outcomes, powering GluCare.Health and Zone.Health platforms, dedicated to diabetes care and weight management. Previously, Ali founded Amana Healthcare, a leading Middle Eastern continuum-of-care hospital network acquired by Mubadala Healthcare in 2018. He also established and led Booz & Company’s Middle East Healthcare Practice and worked at Bain & Company’s Healthcare and Private Equity Practices in NYC. Ali studied Medicine and received his MBA concurrently from McGill University. Ali is a member of the Global Advisory Board for the Fuqua School of Business at Duke, a lecturer for the Duke Global Executive MBA Program, and a proud Duke basketball fan.

Dr. Shadab Khan is the Director of AI and Applied Sciences at M42, where he leads a team of AI scientists, product managers, and engineers to solve problems in Healthcare AI. Dr. Khan’s team develops solutions for real-world evidence (RWE) powered by a real-world data (RWD) platform developed in-house to manage and query multimodal healthcare data ranging from electronic health records, genomics, medical imaging, and healthcare claims, among others. Before joining G42 Healthcare, he was a Healthcare AI researcher at IIAI in UAE. At IIAI, Dr. Khan was also a lead developer of MS and PhD Machine Learning course curriculum for the inaugural class of Mohamed Bin Zayed University of AI (MBZUAI) and closely participated in founding, and accreditation of the university. Prior to moving to UAE, Dr. Khan was a Fellow in Radiology at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital. He got a PhD from Dartmouth College in Biomedical Engineering and CS, where he was a recipient of the highly selective Neukom Fellowship in Computational Sciences for his research in building medical devices and medical data analysis tools for robot-assisted prostatectomy.

Mitin Chakraborty heads global brand and marketing strategies at Babyshop, a leader in the baby and kids retail sector across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Celebrated for his creative flair and result-driven approach, Mitin’s campaigns have earned accolades at Cannes Lions, Global Effies, and more. Recognized by Forbes as a top marketing professional in the Middle East, he also serves as a Grand Jury member at the Global Effies. Mitin champions marketing that harmonizes purpose with performance, focusing on creating brands that resonate deeply with audiences and drive business growth. His vision for marketing extends beyond commercial success, emphasizing positive community impact and setting a new benchmark for impactful, modern marketing strategies.

Farah is the Head of Climate Change & Policies Department at Alpin Limited. With a strong sense of responsibility towards the environment, he dedicates his career to the oversight and delivery of climate change services, including Net Zero Advisory, GHG assessment and decarbonization Strategies, development of policies and guidelines, and ESG consultancy. Over the course of his self-motivated journey as an accredited Climate Change Professional, Farah has developed a profound passion for combating climate change and advancing the decarbonization efforts in multiple sectors.

Rabih El Chaar is the CEO and co-founder of Nadeera Technologies. Nadeera is a new breed of waste management companies that engages communities to recycle through their digital platform Yalla Return to divert waste from landfill. Yalla Return focuses on maximizing recycling though technology enabled behavioural change through (1) Promoting recycling awareness, (2) Verifying that waste is sorted through IoT and (3) Rewarding sustainable practices through cash back. Rabih comes from an engineering and consulting background. He has a Masters in Engineering from Canada and an MBA from INSEAD business school.

Miguel Lasprilla is the Chief Technology Officer of Software AG, for the Middle East and Türkiye region. He empowers C-people like you to get value out of your data. By implementing cutting-edge strategies and solutions, Miguel inspires and motivates to embrace innovation and data-driven decision-making. During his 24 years of international B2B2C experience in the ICT Industry, in mature and emerging markets of North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, LATAM and Asia, Miguel has served customers from Fortune100 to SMBs in Automotive, Aviation, Financial Sector, Government entities, Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical, Retail, Telecom Operators and Service Provider industries.

Jen is a highly successful entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience running seven-figure businesses. Originally from Canada, Jen has owned and managed businesses in several international cities, including London, Brussels, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. As the CEO and Founder of Female Fusion, a global professional network for female entrepreneurs, Jen is committed to helping women access opportunities to start, build, grow, and scale their businesses. With a community of more than 40,000, and close to 1,000 paid members, Female Fusion is focused on empowering women to build profitable businesses by accessing opportunities around the world. Jen’s passion for supporting female entrepreneurs has made her a sought-after mentor and speaker in the industry. In March 2023 Jen was named as one of 25 global female visionaries by Mastercard Priceless for the work that she does with female entrepreneurs. About Female Fusion Female Fusion is a global digital membership for female entrepreneurs that helps them start, build, grow and scale their businesses. From women who are just starting out up to 8-figure businesses, we provide an online platform and in-person community to help women excel in business. Female Fusion is a business of impact that helps women: – get access to business opportunities – get access to finance and investment – build their networks and contacts globally – understand how to build a profitable business of their dreams – be part of a community of like-minded women that values collaboration over competition, supporting everyone to start, build, grow and scale their businesses With a community of more than 40,000 businesses and a membership of over 1,000 businesses worldwide we are truly stronger together.

Regional Director at Mitgo MENA – a global tech company focused on delivering innovative solutions and promoting entrepreneurship. Mitgo offers solutions and services in the MarTech, FinTech, Smart Shopping and IT-driven Startup Incubation sectors. Key details about the speaker: – Has been developing Mitgo presence in the MENA from the scratch since 2017 – Mentor at Abu Dhabi SME Hub – Forbes Middle East contributor – Mentioned in Gulf News, Zawya, ArabAd etc. – Speaker at Seamless Middle East

Suraya Turk is Managing Partner of Legal Circle, a forward-thinking UAE-based law firm providing startups, SMEs, multinationals and government entities with optimal legal and commercial solutions. Legal Circle has positioned itself as a leading legal firm in the technology sphere, providing expert advice to diverse clients navigating this ever-changing regulatory landscape. Suraya has held the role of Managing Director with both international and local law firms in the UAE, and prior to that enjoyed a highly successful career as a qualified lawyer in Australia. This background provides her with a wealth of experience advising clients on a global platform as well as establishing top-performing legal firms and specialist legal teams.Suraya is passionate about working with startup founders, investors and women in business to enable them to achieve and exceed their business goals.

Michael Joseph is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Ion Pacific, a market trailblazer in the creation of liquidity to the venture capital ecosystem. Since Ion Pacific’s founding in 2015, Michael has led the team globally in the roll out of the various funds they manage. Before founding Ion Pacific, Michael was a founding member at Reorient Group, the Hong Kong listed financial institution that was sold to Jack Ma in 2015. In his role on the investment and management committees, Michael led strategic acquisitions for the firm to drive returns and enhance its position in the region. Prior to that, Michael had a 12-year career at some of the largest hedge funds of their time investing globally across asset classes with a penchant for special situations.

Wolfgang is a Co-Founder of Flawless, where they enable companies to make their business operations data-driven and automated. Before that, he founded and scaled Sixfold – a B2B SaaS supply-chain visibility platform – to 8-figure ARR and 60+ employees before exiting it to Transporeon. Wolfgang also acts as growth-advisor to various SaaS start- and scale-ups and in his past consulted leading tech companies regarding innovation, digitization, and operational efficiency at McKinsey. Wolfgang holds an MBA from UC Berkeley and a Masters from WU Vienna – both with honors. In his spare time, he’s an avid traveler (70+ countries) and sports enthusiast (skiing, mountaineering, marathon running, beach volleyball, mountain biking).

Paul ‘The Profit’ Dawalibi is a technology entrepreneur, investor, futurist and gamer, with over 20 years of venture capital and startup experience. He is currently the CEO of Holodeck – the leading global media and technology company focused exclusively on gaming, metaverse, esports and web3. This combination of skills and experience allows him to understand and communicate the business opportunity around gaming and metaverse in a unique way, and has made him the largest gaming influencer and expert in the MENA region. Paul is the host and creator of Game Changers – a groundbreaking gaming and metaverse business show on CNBC Arabia reaching 50M homes in the Middle East. As ‘The Profit’, Paul previously hosted the largest gaming industry show in the world – the Business of Esports. ‘The Profit’ is a frequently requested speaker at metaverse and gaming conferences all around the world. He consults family offices, governments, venture funds, and global companies on the gaming and metaverse opportunity. Paul is also the creator of the world’s 1st esports NFT and founder of the 2020 fastest growing company in Canada. His core belief is that gaming is the future of fun™️.

Hikma Ventures Lana is the VP of Digital Investments and Partnerships at Hikma/Managing Director of Hikma Ventures which she helped establish in 2015. Lana started her career at Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC in 2012 as the Assistant to the CEO and Director of Corporate Strategy & Development where she worked on strategic projects across the company’s various functions including strategy, M&A, operations, and finance. Prior to joining Hikma, Lana worked as a Financial Analyst in the Mergers and Acquisitions department at Dresdner Kleinwort Investment Bank in London where she worked on transactions for clients across multiple industries. Lana co-founded the Innovation & Leadership Advisory Board (ILAB) at Hikma which consists of young Hikma employees who share a dedication to advancing Hikma and ensuring it is at the frontier of innovation. Lana holds an MBA from Harvard Business School (HBS) and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University.

Kushal Shah is the Managing Director – Corporate Venture Capital at e& capital, the investment arm of e&. He is one of the founders of Dubai Angel Investors and an investment committee member of several VC firms. He is one of the pioneers of venture investing in the MENA region and has a well-established reputation with founders and investors. Prior to joining e&, he was also the head of digital and technology at RolandBerger for the Middle East and Asia. Kushal studied economics at Cambridge University (UK) and is also a chartered accountant. He enjoys participating in technology disruption and expects the next 5-10 years to be the most transformative we have ever seen.

Shameed Sait is a recognized expert in artificial intelligence. He holds 18 US patents on AI and has authored numerous AI articles. As the leader of the AI team at GEMS Education in Dubai, he’s helping students learn in new and better ways. Over the years, his exceptional work has earned him several awards, marking him as a standout in the AI community.

Sarah Toukan is the Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder of Ziina, MENA’s digital wallet. The company has been growing over 40% month-on-month for the past twelve months and processes 260 mn AED and growing in volume annually. Sarah and her team have built a product that is beloved by the UAE with a 4.8 star rating from over 500 reviews in the Apple App Store and the recipient of 8 international design awards, including the Red Dot Award and the UX Design Award. Sarah has product experience across several industries including the fintech space in the UAE, the proptech space in London, and the autonomous vehicle space in Silicon Valley. In 2021, Sarah was selected as one of Forbes Middle East’s Top 10 Women in Tech. Sarah graduated from Stanford with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

In my career, I have worked in multiple roles, from leading a marketing team to grass- root process automations. In the digital world, being a marketer is a role best suited to my creative geek personality. I can combine my love for story telling with my understanding of technology and business to reach out to customers in the right way, and at the right time. My biggest strength is my mindset and solutioning skills gained via years of varied professional experience.

Victor Kiriakos is the Founder and CEO of Dunes Ventures, a hybrid venture studio located in the UAE. Dunes Ventures supports founders, corporates, and governments in developing pioneering companies that create exponential impact. Prior to his entrepreneurial venture, Victor served as GM-UAE at Careem, where he contributed significantly to scaling the company’s SuperApp proposition, pivoting its food business, and launching its subscription program. Victor has over eight years of experience in investing, building, and scaling digital start-ups, and he has a proven track record as a venture capitalist. He has worked with Precinct Partners, Flat6Labs, and Intigral, where he acquired valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship. Victor has a BA in Economics from AUB, an MBA from INSEAD, and is a Thnk.org participant.

Gozde Demir Celen is an accomplished professional with diverse experience, currently serving as a Venture Partner at Practical VC in Silicon Valley and a Partner at Wings Capital and Advisory in Dubai. Her primary focus is on supporting tech startups and VC funds in the MENAT region and mentoring startups globally through Techstars. With a background in M&A buy-side advisory, she has held key roles at institutions like the Dubai Future District Fund, Shuaa Capital in Abu Dhabi, and 212 Capital in Istanbul, excelling in strategic management, particularly in logistics and technology. Gozde’s career began at Goldman Sachs in New York and extended to eight years in Turkey, where she managed various companies, initiated ventures, and gained expertise in logistics. Her contributions extend to the public sector and NGOs, including positions at TOBB Turkish Women Entrepreneurship Board and Turkish Economic Counsel (DEIK). She holds an MBA from Bogazici University and degrees in International Relations and Supply Chain Management from Syracuse University. Fluent in English, Turkish, and Portuguese, Gozde has been an Honorary Consul of Brazil in Turkey since 2011, earning recognition as a Brazilian Knight for her outstanding contributions to Brazil’s ‘Order of Rio Branco.’

A serial Entrepreneur with multiple exits Ibrahim “Abe” Seksek is the current Rainmaking CEO of MENA and Africa of and CEO Startupbootcamp, a Rainmaking company. Before joining Rainmakin he Co-Founded a couple of companies such as ZenHR Solutions, which addresses the entire HR cycle, and Crystel, Jordan’s first business process outsourcing (BPO) provider. Ibrahim also worked as Head of Global Operations Support for Naspers, the parent company of dubizzle and OLX, which oversaw the operations in 70 countries.

Mehdi is currently director of product management for Google DeepMind focusing on new products grounded in breakthrough AI Research. Mehdi brings more than a decade of early stage product development expertise, spanning multiple areas such as enterprise, cloud, consumer, emerging markets and AI/ML. Prior to Google, Mehdi was a management consultant at Booz&Cie, an investor at Macquarie Capital and a Technology Strategy Lead at Vodafone/SFR. Mehdi holds engineering degrees from Ecole Polytechnique and Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees in France, a Masters of Science in International Relations from Sciences-Po Paris and an MBA from Columbia University.

At Peak XV, GV Ravishankar advises on both technology as well as non-technology investments. He’s deeply interested in technology’s role in helping to drive efficiencies, reduce costs and improve access in consumer and healthcare markets. He currently serves on the boards of companies in the Middle East such as Huspy, Lean Technologies, and Tabby. Others across India include axio, Eruditus Learning, Faces Cosmetics, Five Star finance, Finova Capital, HomeLane, India Shelter Finance Corporation, Indigo Paints, K12 Technoservices, Prataap Snacks (NSE: DIAMONDYD), Rebel Foods, Rupeek, Suburban Diagnostics and Turtlemint. I have also served as board member/observer of companies like Via (sold to NASDAQ: EBIX ), Manappuram (NSE: MANAPPURAM) and Equitas (NSE: EQUITAS). Prior to this, GV worked at McKinsey & Company, where he advised senior management of top Indian companies on a variety of issues including business building, channel management and leadership development. He also had a prior stint with Wipro Technologies in their Embedded and Internet Access division. GV is the recipient of the Midas Touch award by Economic Times Startup Awards 2020 and IIM Ahmedabad’s Young Alumni Achiever’s Award, 2019-20 in the Corporate Leadership category. He has an MBA from IIM A and holds a BE in Computer Science and Engineering from NIT Trichy.

Mario Nawfal is the founder of the Athena Group of Companies, a business conglomerate that operates in more than 30 countries. He had embarked upon his entrepreneurial path, with $300 in the bank, selling blenders door to door which led to Froothie Australia. Through unconventional marketing techniques, efficient logistical systems and a team of global contractors, he propelled Froothie to $1m in year one and over $10m in year two, all bootstrapped. He since founded multiple ecom companies, runs a crypto consulting firm, is a partner at a blockchain law firm, angel invests in the crypto space, takes companies public, co-founded the world’s largest growth hacking agency and is the co-founder of the public company, NFT Tech. Mario also hosts the biggest show on Twitter with 2 million + weekly listeners. The show has been a hub for the press to get scoops on breaking news, for leaders during major events and for people to get informed. Recent guests include Elon Musk (multiple times), Hunter Biden, Rudy Giuliani, Marc Andreessen, multiple senators, Mick Mulvaney, Bill Ackman, Mark Cuban, CZ, Scott Adams, Dr Drew, Andrew Yang, Anthony Scaramucci, Vivek Ramaswamy, General Mike Flynn and various lawmakers.

Asmara Nomani is a Senior Global Human Resources Leader and Key Opinion Leader with 24+ years of International corporate career, currently serving as the CEO of ANC Global. She has held global leadership positions at The Coca-Cola Company, including Region Human Resources Director, Eurasia and Middle East Operating Unit, Talent Lead Eurasia and Middle East, and Global Co-chair for CWIS; Coca-Cola Women in STEM. Asmara has vast experience industries such as FMCG, Information Technology, Banking Industry, Academia and the Oil and Gas sector across the Middle East, Central Asia and parts of Europe. As a psychologist, Asmara is passionate about mental health and wellness for employees, and is an ICF Executive Global Leadership Coach. She is also a certified Hogan Coach, a PMP practitioner; bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to her clients.

As the founder and CEO of TwentyToo, Shay brings a unique blend of technical expertise and fashion acumen. Her innovative fashion-tech startup, TwentyToo, creates a vertical Saas for the fashion industry that uses AI to optimize the value chain and create an engaging experience for online shoppers. Before TwentyToo, she founded Nomad Story, a New York-based online luxury fashion marketplace for emerging global designers and a luxury DTC fashion brand for modest fashion that debuted in London Fashion Week. Shay’s background in technology, having worked at IBM and PepsiCo, and her BSc in Computer Science from Ain Shams University, has been complimented by her MBA in Entrepreneurship from Babson College, an MS in Data & Analytics from New York University, and a degree in fashion styling from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Nadim Nagui is the CEO of Partment, a proptech platform simplifying second home ownership. In 2022, he co-founded Partment with Ahmed el Raggal and Chinmaya Das, marking a new chapter in his entrepreneurial journey. Recognized with the Forbes 30 under 30 award in 2022, Nadim’s strategic prowess and contributions stand out. Previously, he led Business Development DACH at Uber, helping expand global rides, meals, and deliveries. Nadim was instrumental in Uber’s Egypt launch and contributed significantly during his 7-year career, spanning Cairo and Amsterdam (Uber EMEA HQ), holding diverse leadership roles in Operations and Business Development. Starting his career in his family’s business after graduating with an Industrial Engineering degree from Virginia Tech, Nadim now resides between Cairo and Amsterdam, continuing to drive innovation in the proptech industry.

Dawn Barnable is the Co-Founder and Podcast Co-Host of The Mettleset, the Middle East’s first sports media platform to put women in sport first. After a long career in sports communications and a seeing a major gap in coverage on women’s sports, Dawn established The Mettleset with Afshan Ahmed to help diversify the sporting eco-system. The podcast has listeners in over 97 countries and has reached #1 in 14.

Hazem has collaborated with startups and multinational corporations across the GCC for the past 8 years, elevating their digital presence and optimizing advertising campaigns to drive sales growth. Currently, he is the Managing Director of Adbreeze.com, a specialized provider of social and Google advertising services, which has successfully served over 60 businesses since its founding in 2022.

With over 12 years experience in startups, Gergana is a highly ambitious entrepreneur with a good eye for building strong brands. Currently the Co-Founder and CEO for WILD FABRIK, a sustainable e-commerce marketplace changing the world of online retail with our planet in mind. Her goal is to start conversations and create change makers in all of us, as she continues her journey towards making the region more sustainable. She is a naturally analytical yet creative woman that loves to achieve goals quickly and leads those around her to reach their potential. Her hands-on mentality gives her the ability to set up efficient business processes, build products, and manage P&L.

Lucas serves as CEO of Darkroom, a progressive growth marketing and digital strategy firm focused on how consumers buy today. Lucas helps high-growth commerce companies with Digital Strategy, Attribution & Analytics, Creative Direction, and Revenue Growth by delivering a suite of proprietary research, strategy tools, and marketing execution services.

I make people go viral on tiktok

Michael Lints has 20+ years of experience as a startup operator and investor. He is currently a partner at the Singapore-based VC Golden Gate Ventures. As a partner, he focuses on institutional fundraising. Michael supports the firm on portfolio-level priorities e.g., fundraising and capital allocation. In 2000 Michael co-founded an IT-managed services startup in Europe that was acquired in 2006. He joined the Economic Development Board Rotterdam as Vice Chairman in 2007. In that role, he launched the Young Economic Development Board, Michael is an active writer and a co-director of an award-winning social impact documentary called Broken Chains. Michael collaborates with world-renowned players in the sports and entertainment industries, bridging their world with tech and venture capital.

William is Managing Director of Orbit Startups the first and longest running startup program in Asia and General Partner of SOSV the #1 most active early stage venture capital investor in the world with US$1.5bn in assets under management. Our focus is on sustainability, human health and economic and industrial independence across emerging and frontier markets in Southeast and South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas in ecommerce, fintech, media, health, education, and logistics.

Vittal Ramakrishna is a Serial Entrepreneur and the founder of POD Investments, a full-stack fundraising platform with 28 funded startups to its credit. With over 14 years of global experience, Vittal has managed Multi-Million Dollar projects at KPMG and BOSCH. He is an expert in Investment Management and Alternative Investments, having achieved a successful exit in Germany. Additionally, he is the founder of Kreate, a marketplace for Indian artisans on the brink of profitability. Vittal serves as an ambassador of GINSEP and is actively engaged in pioneering Cross-Border Investments and fostering synergies.

Jonathan is the Co-Founding Partner at Antler MENAP. He has a proven track record of successfully building ventures across diverse markets. Before Antler, Jonathan founded Smileneo, a direct-to-consumer health tech business in the MENA region, which was acquired in 2023. He also served as the Co-CEO of Daraz, the leading online marketplace in South Asia, acquired by Alibaba in 2018. Additionally, Jonathan held the position of Managing Director at Jumia, the leading online marketplace in Africa that went public on the NYSE in 2019.

Ashwin is a co-founder and Partner at the Bharat Innovation Fund, an early-stage venture capital fund which invests in pre-series A to Series B rounds of world class deeptech startups originating out of India. Prior to this, he helped set up India’s first deeptech focussed fund, the India Innovation Fund, which was bought out by a Secondaries fund. He has invested in multiple successful B2B start-ups through these funds including Detect Technologies, Entropik, Sedemac Mechatronics, Mitra Biotech, Consure Medical etc Ashwin has been intimately involved in the start-up ecosystem in India earlier heading the Innovation Initiative at NASSCOM, with a mandate to increase innovation in the Indian IT Industry. He currently is a mentor at the NASSCOM Deeptech Club and serves on the investment committees of multiple grant and soft loan programs set up by BIRAC, and is also a member of the Investment Committee at the incubation cell at IIT Kanpur Ashwin has also been a part of organizations like Maersk and Wipro Technologies prior to becoming an investor and fund manager.

Hans has 16+ years of experience in the technology industry, and for the last nine years has lived and worked in Dubai. He has worked for the world’s largest technology firms, including Oracle, SAP, and Gartner, and has co-founded his own technology startup. Hans now works for Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, where he manages the Digital Economy Acceleration for Dubai.

Carina has been working with startups since the beginning of her career, designing multiple internal and external products from scratch, watching them succeed, go global – and fail too. Originally from Brazil, she has worked with multinationals and helped localize products according to different types of cultures and, after moving to the UAE, she has been focusing on helping SMEs to build their products from scratch and guiding them on how to use the design thinking methodology to make informed decisions for their businesses.

Uptin is a content creator and video journalist who makes videos about Tech, Money and Cultures. He now has almost 3 Million followers across platforms. Uptin is also the founder and CEO of UP10Media where they make high-impactful videos for their clients for social media, ads, email marketing, websites and more.

Ankkit has over 15 years of experience in Investment Research and Venture Capital. During the past 10 years, Ankit has invested in early stage technology companies in India and in MENA. At MEVP his portfolio cuts across consumer internet startups such as Nana, breakthrough Fintech platforms such as Xare, and wholistic B2B2C platforms such as MamoPay. Prior to MEVP, Ankit was a founding member of Boson Ventures which was his debut stint in the Middle East. Prior to that Ankit was Vice President of Capital18, a specialist VC-fund HQed in New Delhi and focused on mobile, media and entertainment.

Serge is an experienced M&A and Venture Capital lawyer who has been active in the venture capital ecosystem since 2014 in multiple jurisdictions including Lebanon, UAE, KSA and Iraq. Throughout the years, Serge has advised start-ups, prominent VC funds as well as incubators and has also acted as a mentor for several start-ups. Serge is a Partner at Airut Legal Consultants a multi-purpose regional law firm with offices in Beirut, Erbil, Baghdad, Dubai and Riyadh.

Wael is a UAE born & raised serial entrepreneur and tech evangelist with over 30 years experience in the software space. He has founded 3 tech startups in the past and currently helps startups and enterprises as a fractional CTO / enterprise architect, filling a major gap in the region for affordable senior tech talent. In addition to his tech background, Wael sits on the boards of various local and international companies including oil & gas, financial services, education, logistics, tech and power & water. Wael graduated from Canada with a bachelors degree in Computer Science.

Stefano Fallaha is the CEO & Founder of Podeo, the largest audio podcast platform in the Middle East & North Africa, enabling 50,000+ creators and reaching millions of monthly listeners. With unique proprietary audio products for creators, distributors, listeners and advertisers, Podeo is on a mission to unlock the potential of the human voice by amplifying audio content to billions of ears. Stefano was on the list of Forbes 30 Under 30 at 19 y/o and has landed recognition from global publications and international VCs and investors backing Podeo’s vision of enabling the global digital audio ecosystem.

Dani is the CEO and co-founder of Supy, an Inventory Management Software for multi branch restaurants.

Alexey 15+ years in IT We are building a supply value chain around the world, with a focus on tech startups Somewhere we work as an integrator, somewhere as operating directors, somewhere as angels, somewhere as technology partners The founders conducted analytics for 5 years, with whom they worked, raised a total of $100M+ and we want to grow startups further Rosketech is a rapidly growing company in Asia. Over the past two years we have been the absolute market leader in Asia and beyond. Our strength is speed to market We understand how to do this in any complex topic in 2 weeks, with a small team, cheaply and every two weeks, until a big pivot every month, until there is a PMF. This is our approach and innovation in the commodity market that allows founders build sustainable and profitable startups very fast

Vanhishikha Bhargava is the Founder of Contensify, a B2B SaaS Marketing Agency that works with startups and scaleups to help them set up their growth engines.

An expert in recruitment and talent for startups in the MENA & SEA regions and the founder of a B2B SaaS company in Singapore, Sam is the CEO & Founder of Numuun.io, a Tech and Talent Consultancy. Based in the UAE, Numuun is focused on helping startups and scale ups navigate two of the biggest problems the industry faces: Hiring & retaining great people and building great tech.

Mubariz is a seasoned legal expert specializing in tech startups and investors. He’s the founder of Carbon Law and a prominent startup lawyer in Pakistan. With vast experience, he’s advised on over USD 250m in deals for startups, venture capital, and angel investors. Mubariz collaborates with regulators to boost foreign investment and innovation in Pakistan. His work with the State Bank of Pakistan, allowing Pakistani founders to establish foreign holding companies, has been pivotal in driving startup investments in recent years. Mubariz also supports founder education on governance and fundraising through various initiatives.

Yemi is a FinTech Growth & Digital Transformation Consultant. She has 15yrs experience helping FinTechs, from Startups to Fortune 100s, grow revenue and enter new markets with Sales Funnel Automation, Go-to-Market and Global Expansion Strategies. She was listed on the UK Top 100 Most Influential Women in Technology for three consecutive years.