The 8th edition of the MENA Angel Investors Summit kicked off today as part of the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) with enthusiastic participation from entrepreneurs, investors, and organizations across the MENA region.
Organized by Tenmou, a Bahrain-based angel investment company, the MENA Angel Investors Summit 2023 continues its strategic partnership with Tamkeen (Labour Fund) and collaborates with Alba and other leading ecosystem partners.
During his opening remarks, Mr. Suhail Ghazi Al Gosaibi, Chairman of Tenmou, highlighted the importance of the annual Summit as a catalyst, bringing together early-stage tech startups and investors who recognize the promising potential within this dynamic sector.
Mr. Al Gosaibi explained Tenmou’s motivations behind organizing the MENA Summit, aligning it with their objectives of fostering growth and investment in tech startups and the entrepreneurial ecosystem within the MENA region. He highlighted the Summit’s contribution to building sustainable ecosystems where these startups can thrive and play a pivotal role in creating sustainable investment opportunities, competing with major companies and actively contributing to global economic growth.
For his part, Tenmou’s CEO, Mr. Nawaf Al Koheji, expressed his delight at the growing interest in the Summit from a diverse range of attendees across the region. He emphasized that this positive reception reinforces Tenmou’s dedication to continuing this annual event and fostering collaboration between investors and a broader array of tech startups.
“Technology is currently experiencing a booming era, with disruptive technologies playing a significant role in providing new solutions to our daily challenges. This makes our efforts as an angel investment company in promoting this sector all the more meaningful,” stated Mr. Al Koheji.
He emphasized their commitment to providing attendees with a unique experience by inviting a diverse group of investors to participate in the Summit, as well as engaging industry experts in an interactive and thought-provoking panel discussion, exploring the investment opportunities and benefits the tech sector has to offer.
The Summit started with a panel session powered by MEVP and presented by regional experts in the field. The session focused on the latest developments in tech sector investment and explored opportunities to ensure successful and sustainable investments, taking into account the current market status and needs of the MENA region. The panel also showcased best practices from Bahrain and the GCC, emphasizing opportunities for workforce development and presenting the region’s remarkable potential for exceptional tech startup investments.
The panel featured a distinguished group of experts, including Ahlam Oun, Head of Operations at General Assembly, Mostafa Salem, Operations Officer at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Sabrina Salama, Head of MENA Partnerships at Seedstars, and Zainab Khamis, HP Spring Studios Head Bahrain. The session was moderated by Ali Almajthoob, Managing Director at MEVP.
During the Summit, 22 tech startups from the MENA region had the opportunity to pitch their businesses to investors and participants in attendance. They showcased their growth potential and investment opportunities, emphasizing their funding requirements. Each startup was given a 3-minute presentation slot, and networking opportunities were provided following the pitching sessions.
The Summit concluded with a workshop titled “Inside the Entrepreneurial Mindset,” presented by Sabrina Salama, Head of MENA Partnerships at Seedstars. The workshop delved into the vibrant culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within established startups, emphasizing its significance and impact on achieving business success. It explored practical methods for promoting creative thinking, navigating challenges, developing effective plans and strategies, efficiently managing resources, fostering team cohesion, and empowering leadership capabilities among entrepreneurs.
