Culture & Education | Wednesday 8 November, 2017 3:56 am |

Prince Mohammad Bin Salman College (MBSC) of Business and Entrepreneurship, has announced it is hosting the AIM Startup Roadshow and Pitch Competitions, an initiative that is part of AIM’s mission to scout the globe for promising entrepreneurial business startups.

 

The announcement follows the signing of last month of an official agreement with the Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates, by which MBSC becomes the knowledge partner of the AIM Startup Forum, an initiative by the ministry under the umbrella of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM), which is held in Dubai, with the aim of providing a strategic platform for startups to connect with funders and investors from around the world. 

 

“We are delighted to partner with the UAE Ministry of Economy to host the Middle East edition of the AIM Startup Roadshow and Pitch Competitions,” said H.E. Dr. Nabeel Koshak, Dean of MBSC. “This is a brilliant initiative that aligns with the objective of Prince Mohammad Bin Salman College to create a new generation of entrepreneurial business leaders in Saudi Arabia and by hosting the event we are ensuring that the kingdom upholds its position in the global business arena as a forward looking leader with a commitment to a sustainable future for entrepreneurial ventures.”   

 

As part of its mission to scout the globe for promising startups and in addition to AIM Startup’s online portal designed to attract and accept applications from disruptors world-wide, the AIM Startup team will travel to several locations in 2017 within the GCC and Levant to hand-select startups making the biggest waves in disrupting industries.

 

The roadshow and pitch competitions start off in Amman, Jordan on November 14 then move on to Saudi Arabia, visiting to Jeddah November 20, Riyadh November 23 and Dhahran November 27. Next stops will be Bahrain November 29 and Cairo, Egypt December 4. 

 

Setting up pitch competitions in each region, winning startups will have the opportunity to participate at AIM Startup 2018 in Dubai, where they will be met by investors, corporates, government officials and other innovators from across the world. 

 

AIM Startup is an ideal platform for startup companies looking to raise capital, expand into new markets and forge meaningful business relationships with major investors, business leaders, representatives of international institutions and government entities. 

 

The platform will serve as a hotbed to exchange ideas, to seek funding and partnership and to promote emerging businesses and technologies from around the world. The top five startups from each location will be given the opportunity to present their sustainable solutions at AIM Startup 2018, in Dubai, all expenses paid.  

 

This year, 200 promising startups will convene under one roof to meet with investors, corporates, government representatives and industry experts and will be given the opportunity to demo their groundbreaking solutions to a global audience of 19,000+.

 

AIM Startup is in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the pitch competitions are looking for entries that provide solutions to promoting sustainable development and inclusive growth through emerging technologies.

Participants will gain insight and knowledge as founders, investors and industry leaders share their stories through interactive discussions, fireside chats and keynotes. The AIM Startup also offers networking opportunities to gain access to the world’s most influential people.

 

Also, participants in the of AIM Startup Pitch Competition and the Innovation Showcase Exhibition will be eligible to receive a cash prize of 50,000 USD and other rewards in recognition of the most innovative companies. The winners of AIM Startup Pitch Competition and Innovation Showcase Exhibition will be honored with the awards in recognition of their impressive achievements at the AIM Startup Awards Ceremony.

 

The day before the pitch competition starts, AIM Startup will conduct an exclusive workshop led by Ben Ouattara, EXPO 2020 Ambassador, film director and motivational speaker, who will show those selling or wanting to sell a product or service how to create cool and engaging videos, without having going to film school.

 

AIM Startup was launched in 2017 as an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Economy to connect promising startups with investors and business partners from other parts of the world— set in the heart of the UAE’s Annual Investment Meeting, the World’s Leading FDI Platform for Emerging Markets and held under the Patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.