MENACatalyst’s UAE Demo Events – an Overview
Dubai, UAE, Feb. 27, 2019 – MENACatalyst’s weeklong UAE Demo Events came to a close late Wednesday evening. Events ranged from pitching sessions at prestigious institutions such as Dtech and In5, to gaining invaluable business insight from the likes of some of the biggest names in the UAE business world that have emerged from the Palestinian diaspora, including Rabea Ataya of Bayt.com, Tarik Bayaa of Bayzat, and Ahmad Al-Hidiq of HeyDoc!
Startups also had the singular opportunity to learn from one of the region’s leading enablers and proponents of social good, the highly acclaimed MBC Al Amal, in a comprehensive workshop that touched upon the power of storytelling to create change, to the development of scalable business models that are not only economically driven but contribute to the greater good.
However, the UAE Demo Events were all about networking, giving startups the space to connect with potential mentors and investors, and collaborate on existing as well as future projects. Startups brought out their best, demonstrating the passion, skills, and innovation emerging from Palestine. It is undeniable that the weeklong series of Demo Events were a success, leaving an impact on startups that will positively transform the trajectory of their ventures.
Furthermore, MENACatalyst is thrilled to announce a few standout developments from the Demo Events, including the selection of two Pitch Challenge finalists by Innovest ME to travel to the UAE and take part in an exclusive investors day set on March 5, 2019. The day will bring more than 50 of the biggest investors from around the region to meet with 12 of the most competitive and innovative MENA based startups. Respective MENACatalyst startups participating include weDeliver, one of the first ever on-the-way delivery services that is set to disrupt the logistics industry in the region, and Localyser, a review management application that helps multi-location restaurant groups easily monitor, respond and analyze their online reviews from across the web.
Investment opportunities are also in the works, with startups making lucrative connections that has the potential to propel their startups into markets across the region. However, one Palestinian startup that has sparked an interest and started a conversation amongst investors was SunBox. Sharing her passion and life’s work to bring sustainable solar energy and light to countless homes in Gaza, Majd Mashharawi managed to not only recieve a game-changing investment offer, but ongoing support from a committed diaspora member based out of the UAE.
Additional outcomes, include mentorship opportunities which saw most of the startups connecting with UAE based business professionals’ eager to assist the future innovators of Palestine on their journey towards achieving global success.
MENACatalyst’s ْUAE Pitch Challenge and subsequent Demo Events are jointly funded by Taawon (Welfare Association), and KOICA (Korean International Cooperation Agency).