Middle Eastern startups shone bright this week as they proved how powerful their ideas could be when put to the test during global finals of various global picks. Israeli startup AutoAgronom, a smart irrigation and fertilization control system, won the CleanTech Open Global Ideas competition. Later in the week, fellow Israeli startup BreezoMeter took home top prize at Startup Open with its air quality app.
As we head into the second half of the week, GEW campaigns in the Middle East prepare for more workshops, more conferences, more gala dinners and all-around more celebrations. Below are a few highlights from the week.
Bahrain
Tenmou, Bahrain’s first ‘Business Angels’ organization, in strategic partnership with the Economic Development Board, kick-started the celebrations of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2014 at a networking dinner reception. During the dinner, Chairman of Tenmou Sami Jalal officially inaugurated GEW 2014 and CEO of Tenmou Hasan Haider welcomed all the participants and highlighted the significance of building and strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem around the world and in particular, Bahrain. The networking dinner was attended by partners, sponsors and prospective entrepreneurs.
“We are proud to be the organizers of 2014 Global Entrepreneurship Week and position Bahrain as one among the 150 countries celebrating this global event. At Tenmou, our strategic objective is to inspire, support and nurture the budding entrepreneurs and events such as GEW provide an excellent platform to engage in entrepreneurial activity while connecting with potential collaborators, mentors and even investors,” said Jalal. Throughout the week, a series of signature events will take place which include workshops and mentorship sessions which will help participants to learn a step-by-step process in the setting up successful businesses. This year, more than 100 budding entrepreneurs have signed up for the sessions. The partners or these events include Tamkeen, KPMG Fakhro, 4spots, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce, Bahrain Polytechnic and Bahrain Women’s Society. Launched in 2011, Tenmou aims to support entrepreneurs with valuable business assistance, including financial investment, mentorship, advice and guidance.
Iraq
During GEW this year, CIPE partner Kurdistan Economic Development Organization is organizing a workshop in Suleymania to shed light on obstacles that women entrepreneurs face, specifically those who own private nurseries and kindergarten schools. Parliamentarians and other policymakers in Kurdistan are invited to attend the workshop.
Israel
GEW Israel is working with key partners like Tel Aviv University, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, SCE College of Engineering, Pearl Cohen Legal Advisor, and Yeskin and co. to craft an innovative program of events for the week. GEW Israel is expecting their 70 partners to organize around 300 events, engaging nearly 20,000 people!
Palestine
GEW Palestine works with a number of partners to help Palestinians create the positive change their communities need through entrepreneurship. One of these partners is Gaza Sky Geeks, the only startup accelerator in Gaza, who this week hosted events to promote entrepreneurship and more specificallyfemale engagement in the startup sector. GEW Palestine’s closing event includes a National Demo Day with top Palestinian Entrepreneurs.
Qatar
After the Gala Dinner on evening of 16, GEW Qatar featured 16 selected young entrepreneurs showcasing their businesses. The opening session on Monday also featured a keynote speech from our Patron the Minister of Economy and Commerce and the full program of activities has been rolling out with two days of central activity in one hotel, as well as other events around town. There will be approximately 50 events organized by 20 partners such as:
- WED hosted by Qatar Chamber, a panel and networking event
- Sports Medicine Hackathon Media and pitching skills training with Al Jazeera
- and many more new workshops
Saudi Arabia
This year’s GEW is being celebrated all across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with activities from Jizan to Dhahran, from Makkah to Riyadh. GEW Saudi Arabia’s theme this year is “Act Now”!
Turkey
GEW Turkey has been busy preparing events for their GEW celebration. A few highlights of their campaign are:
- One of the most anticipated GEW Turkey events includes the G3 Summit, hosted every year by the Chamber of Commerce and International Entrepreneurship Initiative. It is an ambitious mentor-entrepreneur meet-up attracting more than 1,000 participants every year. This year's G3 will include keynotes from the Minister of Development, the President of Chamber of Commerce, and a famous TV game show host who has built his own entertainment sector startup into one of Turkey’s biggest TV production houses.
- One of the most unique and timely GEW Turkey events this year will be the private screenings of the documentary, “Crocodile in the Yangtze,” an inspiring David and Goliath battle of the US-based internet giant eBay versus the China-based Alibaba. The screenings will take place across seven universities and two private events in both Istanbul and Ankara. Porter Erisman, the director of the documentary and former vice president of Alibaba will participate in each of the events to host a Q&A session following each screening to allow the audience to dive even deeper into Alibaba’s journey of challenges and successes.
- Today is the second day of “MECC Technology Forum: Announcing the MENA Venture Network”. The event offers Turkish participants the chance to network with business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the Middle East, listen to presentations from top executives at global tech companies and showcase local startups.