Ambassador Pitch Event with In5
Oct. 25, Dubai. MENACatalyst started the Dubai Pitch Challenge to identify and select the most viable business ventures emerging from the Palestinian startup ecosystem, however, pitching didn’t end there. In conjunction with In5, a UAE based platform which fosters innovation amongst startups to help new ideas reach the marketplace, MENACatalyst jointly launched the Ambassador Pitch Event at In5’s Dubai headquarters. Bringing together up-and-coming startups based in the UAE with Palestinian based startups, the Ambassador Pitch Event embodied the collaborative spirit that is MENACatalyst. Startups exchanged ideas, advice, feedback, contact info as well as constructive criticism all with the intent of propelling each other to become competitively viable startups capable of reaching international markets.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from MENACatalyst director, Ghassan Amayra, who introduced the startups participating from Palestine and stressed the importance of collaboration catalyst to drive the Palestinian virtual global economy forward. In5’s Head of Program and Partnerships, Rekha Setpal, provided the follow-up remarks welcoming participating startups from the UAE as well as supporting MENACatalyst in their efforts to work towards establishing long-lasting collaborations between startups and business professionals from the UAE and Palestine. Rekha Setpal also stressed the necessity of creating opportunities such as the Ambassador Pitch Event and providing the tools that help foster innovation and creativity amongst emerging startups.
Saed Shela, founder of Social Dice, and Hassan Erekat of Bayzat, both Impact investors from the Palestinian diaspora then took the stage to commend MENACatalyst on their collaborative efforts to bridge the gap between local Palestinian startups and investors as well as business professionals from the Palestinian diaspora.
The Pitching Event then commenced with three minutes allotted to each participating startup and an additional three minutes reserved for Q&A as well as for comments and constructive feedback. Afterwards participants and attendees including entrepreneurs, tech mentors and investors where given the opportunity to network, exchange ideas and contact information and create connections. The event was a success and paved the way for participants to create new networks, new opportunities, strategic partnerships and long-lasting collaborations.
The event was open to the general public as well as streamed live via MENACatalyst’s social media accounts in order to overcome boundaries and allow interested startups from Palestine and around the globe to benefit from event.
Join us!
Our UAE trip was a great success, full of productive meetings and discussions with key stakeholders in the field of entrepreneurship, and due to this success, we will continue to build on the connections we made and actively work towards creating a long-lasting and collaborative relationships with our diaspora community.
We hope that you continue to support our vision and join us on our journey to foster innovation and leadership in Palestine.
This event was organized by MENACatalyst in cooperation with In5 and jointly funded by Taawon (Welfare Association) and KOICA (Korean International Cooperation Agency).
