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7/31/2019 GIST I Dare - Web Version
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GIST I DareBusiness PlanCompetition Finale
June 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
Implemented by CRDF Global Funded by the U.S. Department of Stat
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GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
TABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTS
WELCOMEMESSAGE 3
AGENDA 5
GISTIDAREFINALISTS 8
MIT-EFOFTHEPANARABREGIONFINALISTS 12
GISTINITIATIVEADVISORYGROUPBIOS 17
SPEAKERS,MENTORS&JUDGESBIOS 20
ORGANIZERSBIOS 24
UPCOMINGEVENTS 27
GISTINTHENEWS 28
CRDFGLOBALINNOVATIONPROGRAMS 30
GISTPARTNERS 32
DearColleaguesandFriends,CRDFGlobalandtheGISTInitiativearepleasedtobeapartofthisevenwhichcelebratesinnovation,recognizesentrepreneurshipandsupportsdevelopmentofthenextgenerationofbusinessleaders.ThroughtheIbusinessplancompetition,GISTsolicitedtheapplicationsofentreprenmorethan40nations,detailingtheirideasfortechnologyinnovation.O
nextfewdays,GISTIDarefinalistswillcompetefor$100,000andimmeopportunitiestoadvancetheirbusinesses.GISTlooksforwardtotheprandawardsceremony,andtheactiveparticipationof10buddingentrepteamsfromfourcountries.Togetherwithourpartner,MIT-EFofthePanArabregion,weareofferi
platformtoenrichthelivesoftodaysyoungentrepreneursbyhelpingthemgaintheskillsandresourcesneededtoideasintoactions.CRDFGlobalandGISTbelievethatthroughcollaborationsinsuchhighlevelevents,wecancontcreatingaglobalcultureofentrepreneurshipandinnovation.IwouldliketowelcomeyoutothiseventandinviteyoutolearnmoreaboutCRDFGlobalandtheGISTInitiativeonwebsite:www.crdfglobal.orgSincerely,
Ms. Cathleen CampbellPresidentandChiefExecutiveOfficerCRDFGlobal
WELCOME MESSAGEWELCOME MESSAGE
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GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
WELCOME MESSAGEWELCOME MESSAGE
WelcometotheGISTIDarebusinessplancompetitionFinalistEventandAwardCeremony.AsPresidentObamasaid,We believe entrepreneurs can create jobs that
fortify relationships between countries, build global markets, and help fulfill the dreams
of all who desire the freedom to make of their lives what they will.TheGISTIDarecompetitionhighlightsthepotentialofentrepreneursworldwidetofacilitatethecreationofhigh-impacttechnologystartups.GISTIDareisanimportantpartoftheGlobalInnovationthroughScienceandTechnology(GIST)initiativewhichimplementsanetworkofprogramsthatidentifies,trains,andconnectsyoung
novators.GISTprovidesthementorship,seedfunding,andmarketexposureneededforyoungentrepreneurstosucceed.GISTispportedbytheU.S.DepartmentofStateandIamdelightedthatwecancreatetechnologyentrepreneurshiprolemodelsthroughtivitiesliketheGISTIDareFinalistevent.
ongratulationstoalloftheparticipantsandbestwishesongrowingyourstartupsintobusinessesthathavestrongeconomicandcietalimpact.
ncerely,
. Kerri-Ann JonesssistantSecretaryheBureauofOceansandInternationalEnvironmentalandScientificAffairs
AGENDAGENDWEDNESDAY - JUNE 27, 2012
08.30-09.00 Registration
09.00-09.30 Welcome Remarks
Ovidiu Bujorean,InnovationProgramManager,CRDFGlobal
Hala Fadel, Chair,MIT-EFPanArab
09.00-10.00 Team Building
Thissessionwillprovidefinalistsvaluableinsightsonhowtorecruitfounders,advisoryboardmembers,ande
theirnewventures.
Scott Gillespie,CommercializationPartner,T2VC
10.00-10.15 Coffee Break10.15-11.15 Go to Market Strategy
Thissessionwillprovidefinalistspracticaltoolstodesignandimplementagotomarketstrategy.
Scott Gillespie,CommercializationPartner,T2VC
11.15-12.00 How to Pitch to Investors
Thissessionwillprovidefinalistswithtipstoidentifytherightinvestorsfortheirstartupandtechniquesforp
them.
James Chan,Principal,NeotenyLabs
12.00-13.00 Networking Lunch
13.00-15.00 One-on-One Mentorship
F inalistswillmeet withtheirmentortodiscusstheirventureandimprovetheirpitch.
15.00-15.15 Coffee Break
15.15-18.45 Practice Pitch Group
Groupswillbecomposedof2teamsandonementor.Finalistswillpracticetheirpitchandreceivefeedbackfro
group.
17:15-18:45 GIST Transformers Brainstorming Session
DuringthissessionmentorsandfinalistswilldiscusshowtobuildaGISTTransformercommunityformutuals
andknowledgeexchange.
THURSDAY - JUNE 28, 2012
08.30-12.00 Venture Pitching Session
Finalistswillpitchtoapanelofexperiencedangelinvestors,serialentrepreneursandventurecapitalists.
12:30-13:30 Judges Deliberation
14.00-17.00 Lunch/GIST I Dare Award Ceremony
19.00-23:00 MIT-EF Pan Arab Award Ceremony & Networking Dinner Meydan Imax Theater
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promoteandspreadeconomicprosperity,theGlobalInnovationthroughScienceand
chnology(GIST)initiativeisforginglinksattheindividualandinstitutionallevelamong
entists,entrepreneurs,andthemarketplace.Technologyentrepreneurshiphasthe
wertocreatetheproducts,companies,andjobsthatdriveeconomicgrowth.TheGIST
tiativeaimstostrengthentechnologydevelopmentandnational,regional,andglobal
trepreneurshipthroughpartnershipsandprogramsfocusingon:
NETWORKING:Linkinginnovativeideas,people,andfinancialandhumanresources
SKILL DEVELOPMENT:Providingbusinesstraining,mentorshipandresources
FINANCING:Connectinginnovatorsandtheirideaswithseedcapital
TheGISTinitiativeisfundedbytheU.S.DepartmentofStatesBureauofOceansandInternationalEnvironmentalandScientificAffairsandimplementedbyCRDFGlobal.
CONNECT WITH GIST COMMUNITY
all of us must recognize that education
and innovation will be the currency of the
21st century.
Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
Together we can build an ecosystem that
allows entrepreneurs to get the support
they need, the financing they need, the
mentoring they need, to launch a
brilliant idea into a business. Thats the
importance of the GIST mission.
Jeff Hoffman
Co-Founder and former CEO,
Priceline; GIST Advisory Group Member
GIST is a great opportunity to increase
participation by the academic sector in the
transfer of technology into the
marketplace through the development of
practical knowledge and skills, as well
as to heighten understanding of the value
of entrepreneurship and innovation for
economic growth and sustainability.
Dr. Abdelali Haoudi
VP of Research,
Qatar Foundation
Malaysia welcomes the GIST Initiative to
support technology development in
Muslim-majority countries to advance
key innovation areas, especially
innovation capacity, entrepreneurship and
access to seed capital.
Dato Madinah binti MohamadSecretary General, Ministry of
Science, Technology and
Innovation, Malaysia
[GIST] was our shortcut towards better
connections and visibility.
Ziad Sankari
Founder of CardioDiagnostics; GIST Tech-I
Competition Winner
Join the GIST network today! www.gistinitiative.org
Skill Development Programs
Startup Boot Camps: Strengthen
businessdevelopmentthroughtraining
andmentorshipforexperienced
businessleaders.
Webinars:LinkAmericantechnology
commercializationexpertswithaspiring
entrepreneursaroundtheworld.
Institutionalizeconnectionsbetween
universitiesandbusinessesthroughindustryoutreachpartnerships.
Developinnovationleadersprimedto
meetindustryneedsthroughhandson
trainingexperiences.
University-Industry
Linkage Program
Accessinnovativebusinesstoolsand
mentorship.
Formpartnershipstofosternew
venturecreation.
Exchangeideasthroughpopularsocial
networkingplatforms.
GIST Social
Networking Platform
Incentive-Based Competitions
GIST Tech-I: Highlightinnovative
technologyideastothecommunityvia
YouTube-basedideapitchcompetition.
GIST-MIT Business Plan Competition:
Acceleratehighpotentialstartups
throughmentorship,connections
andseedfunding.
Do You DARE...
to Realize Your Dreams?
Apply to the Business Plan Competition!
WHY GET INVOLVED ?
Participate in the acceleration program
Receive mentoring from top-notch entrepreneurs
Get access to free resources
Access international markets
IMPORTANT DATES:
Submission deadline: January 24, 2012
Semifinalists training: March 2012
Final Pitch: June 2012
APPLY
www.gist.crdfglobal.org/gist-programs/business-plan-competi
JOIN THE NETWORK
www.gist.crdfglobal.org/gistnetwork/join-the-network
@GISTinitiative
facebook.com/GISTinitiative
tiny.cc/LinkedInGIST
TeraGIST Award (1 award): $50,000
GigaGIST Award (1 award): $25,000
MegaGIST Award (1 award): $10,000
Best Female Entrepreneur team (1 award): $15,000
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GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST I Dare FinalistsGIST I Dare FinalistsGIST I Dare Finalists GIST I Dare Finalists
Cloudenvironmentforcollaborativelybuildingstatisticalapplications&largedata
analysis.
Management Team:ChewKaiFeng,ProductDevelopmentandOperations,aserial
entrepreneurfromUniversityofKebangsaanMalaysia.Herecentlygraduatedwith
bachelorsdegreeinActuarialSciencefromNationalUniversityofMalaysia.Alvin
SohPhakMing,FinanceandMarketing,previouslyaValuationActuarialAnalystin
PrudentialBSNTakafulBerhad.
CloudStat
CloudStatGreennovatioTechnologie
AffordableandsustainablehousingmaterialnamedJutin,whichiscomposedfrom
jutefiber&resin.
Management Team: Md.SaimumHossain,ManagingDirector,graduatefromthe
FacultyofBusinessStudies(FBS),UniversityofDhaka,additionalstartupandcrisis
managementtrainingfromtheUSA,MalaysiaandIndia.BadhanMazumder,Sales
andMarketingDirector,graduatefromtheBangladeshInstituteofManagementand
FBS,UniversityofDhakaacquiredadditionalentrepreneurshiptrainingfromCEOsfromUSA,Malaysia,IndiaandHongKong.
Greennovation
Technologies
MmatcherE-CommercePlatformaccessiblefromallmeansoftelecommunicationincluding
MobileSMS,whichbridgesthedigitaldivideindevelopingcountries.
Management Team:MuhammadAwais,CEO,receivedhisMBAwithfocuson
marketingmanagementandhasbeenworkingintelecommunicationandservice
industryinEuropeandAsiaformorethan10years.AbidBeli,MarketingDirectorhas
unmatchableskillsandknowledgeoftheindustryforhedevelopedandmanages
Beliscity,theleadinge-commerceplatforminPakistan.
Mmatche
DwarapalaCommerceplatformthathelpsofflineretailerssetuptheirpersonal
linestorewithwebdesign,simpleinterface,&personalized
stomerservice.
anagement Team:PitiIrawan,CEO,Ph.DgraduateinComputer
encefromCornellUniversityandpreviouslyaconsultantfor
alcommandApple.DikiIrawan,COO,B.ScgraduateinMechanical
gineeringfromPurdueUniversityandpreviouslyworkedBechtel
rp.andanotherOilandGascompanyinKualaLumpur.Anita
obson,CTO,M.ScgraduateinCivilEngineeringfromCornell
iversity,previouslyfoundedastartupinSiliconValley.
Dwarapala
E-AidPrivateeducationalservicethatprovidesonlineface-to-facetutoringforhighschoolandcollegestudentsfromallovertheworld.
Management Team: RumaisaMohani,hasanMBAandhasbeenteachingbusiness
andaccounts.MalikaFarhaMastersdegreeinComputerScience,andhasbeen
teachingICTandMaths.BabarUddinSiddiqui,MastersinIT,IBMCertifiedAssociate
Developerandhaving10+yearsexperienceinmediaandeducationrelated
technologies.RummanHasan,aMechanicalEngineeringgraduate,whohasbeen
engagedintutoringscience.
E-Aid
Affordable&sutainableD.lightbatteryproducing200Wattsofenergya
&fertilizerasbyproducts,forpeopleinruralareas.
Management Team: OvickAlam,CEOandManagingPartner,alsofounde
BridgeWeeisamarketingmajorfromtheUniversityofDhaka.SadmanSa
ManagingPartner,isabusinessgraduatewithfinancemajorformIBA,Un
DhakaandastudentofCharteredFinancialAnalyst(LevelII).
GreenSpark
GreenSpark
Join the GIST network today! facebook.com/GISTInitiativeImplemented by CRDF Gl obal Funded by the U.S. Department of State Join the GIST network today! facebook.comImplemented by CRDF Global Funded by the U.S. Department of State
7/31/2019 GIST I Dare - Web Version
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GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
Virtualfirmthatprovidesdigitalsupportservicesincludingcontentcreation,
blogposts,dataentry,socialmediamanagement,eventplanning&more.
Management Team:MariaUmar,FounderandPresident,hasaMastersin
EnglishLiterature,since2009shehasworkedwithoDeskandElance.Asfiya
Aziz,COO,hastwoMastersdegreesinBioethicsandMassCommunication,
fromKarachi,Pakistan.SheiscurrentlyworkingwiththeOxfordUniversity
Press,Pakistanasatextbookeditor.AmaraJaved,Marketing,PRandHR,
iscurrentlyworkingattheSouthAsianMediaSchool(SAFMA)Lahoreas
MediaTrainingConsultantandHRManager.
MyDerm
MyDermboratoryengineeredartificialhumanskinusedfor
atmentofchronicdiabeticulcers,burns&skintrauma.
nagement Team:Dr.KhairulIdzwanBaharin,CEO,has
rtedoffasamedicaldoctor.Priortojoiningthecompany,he
undedandmanagedafewsuccessfulcompaniesrangingfrom
Ttocosmeticsandmedicalaesthetics.ProfessorDr.Ruszymah
jiIdrus,CTO,alsoHeadoftheTissueEngineeringCenteratHospital
M.SheiscurrentlythePresidentoftheTissueEngineeringSocietyof
laysia(TESMA)andaCouncilMemberoftheTERMIS-AP.Dr.Angela
MinHwei,COO,haspatentedmultipleinventionsinthefieldoftissue
gineeringandregenerativemedicine,currentlyaseniorresearchfellowat
eTissueEngineeringCenteratHospitalUKMandisacommitteememberfor
eplanning,design,andexecutionofMyDermscGMPLaboratorythere.
PAK-EnergySolution
Portableandaffordablenaturalgasdigesterfordomesticuse,generatingcleangas
forcooking,heating&lighting&fertilizerasaby-product
Management Team: Mr.AliRaza,CEOandfounder,ElectricalEngineerfrom
UniversityofEngineering&TechnologyLahorewithexperienceinbiogasproduct
andbusinessdevelopment.Ms.FaizaAzeemUsmani,ProjectDirector&Co-
Founder,studentofMSEnvironmentalSciencesfromNationalUniversityof
Science&TechnologyandFounderofSpark.Mr.MatloobAhmed,DirectorResearch
&Developmentandco-founder,MasterscandidateinBiogasfromUniversityof
Engineering&TechnologyLahore,previouslyworkedinSuiNorthernGasPipeLines
andEnvironmentProtectionDepartment.
PAK-Energy Solution
Mobilesecuritytrackingservicethatwillautomaticallytriggerforh
anyinterventionfromtheuser.
Management Team:JamesKhooChenShiang,CEO,with17yearsw
experienceinMultinationalcompaniesdoingsoftwaresolutionarc
anddevelopment.JamesisacertifiedEnterpriseJavaArchitect,and
2projectmanager.WinnieWongWaiLin,COO,candidateofaProfe
DegreeinComputerManagement(BritishComputerSociety),U.Ka
extensiveexperienceworkingintheFinancialIndustry.NizranNoor
founderandBusinessdevelopmentDirector,haslaunchedseveral
SecQme
Womens DigitalLeague
Womens DigLeague
SecQme
GIST I Dare FinalistsGIST I Dare Finalists
GIST I Dare FinalistsGIST I Dare Finalists
Join the GIST network today! facebook.com/GISTInitiativeImplemented by CRDF Gl obal Funded by the U.S. Department of State Join the GIST network today! facebook.comImplemented by CRDF Global Funded by the U.S. Department of State
7/31/2019 GIST I Dare - Web Version
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GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
AcadoxLearning&intelligenceplatformwithablendofacademic,
professional&socialactivitiesmanagementtools.Itisthefirst
ofakindtoolthatisfullyArabized.
Management Team:
MustafaNabulsi CEO
MohammadAlha reeq i CTO
NedalMourad CPOAcadox
LocalSearchEnginetoaccuratelysearchtheentire
universeofbusinessesbasedontheirproducts,services,
andgeographiclocation.
Management Team:
ShadiTabbar a Operati onsManager
SameehHa rfoush Techn ical Manager
Brate
Brate
Butterfleyeaterproofheartratemonitorwithreal-timevisualfeedbackecificallyadaptedforswimmersthatcanbemountedonany
peofgoggles.
anagement Team:
ndHobeika Founder,CEO,LeadEngineer
r lMadi F inance and Account ing
cAbiYounes SalesandMarketing
Butterfleye
MIT-EF of the Pan Arab Region FinalistsMIT-EF of the Pan Arab Region FinalistsMIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab Business Plan Competition in partnership with ALJ Community Initiatives and a joint initiative with the GIST Initiative
MIT-EF of the Pan Arab Region FinalisMIT-EF of the Pan Arab Region FinalistsMIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab Business Plan Competition in partnership with ALJ Community Initiatives and a joint initiative with the GIST Initia
eArtVolution
Ibtaker forTechnologica
Innovation
Genietag
eArtVolution
Genietag
Ibtaker forTechnological
Innovation
Onlinegallery&professionalcommunityofArabartistsintheMENAof
virtualexhibitions&socialnetworkingtotallydevotedtoArt.
Management Team:
Amira Chebl i Relat ionship&communicat ionManager
DaoudAbdelmonemFelah ManagingDirectorInformationTechnology
MohamedAmineChourou ManagingDirectorEU&Americas
SlimBenBahloul ManagingdirectorEEMEA&APAC
Hands-oneducationalkitsthatstimulatethe
studentsinnovationsabilities..
Management Team:
EmadAmmouri GeneralManager
EmanAfana TrainingCoordinator
AhmadSabri Market ingManager
HishamAlKhatib R&DManager
Advertisementtoolthatidentifiesengagesanddrivescustomersinto
anystoresbybridgingthegapbetweentherealandtheonlineworld.
Management Team:
MohamedShahin Co-Founder
AdamElDaba Co-Founder
Join the GIST network today! facebook.com/GISTInitiativeImplemented by CRDF Gl obal Funded by the U.S. Department of State Join the GIST network today! facebook.comImplemented by CRDF Global Funded by the U.S. Department of State
7/31/2019 GIST I Dare - Web Version
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GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
Schaduf
Studio Meem
SilgenixIntegratedcircuitdesigncompanyspecializinginon-chippower
managementofferingproprietarysolutionsthatincreasethebattery
lifetimeofportableelectronicdevices.
Management Team:
R afikGuindi CEO
LoaiSalem CTO
RaniaElmasry President
Schaduf
Silgenix
Studio Meem
Adesignstudiowhichaddressestheneedfor
affordable,hip,modernfurniturethatspeakstoa
modernregionalidentity.
Management Team:
ManarMoursi FounderandCEO
MahmoudAlaa CFO
MarwaKamaleldinMarketingDirector
SellofmicrorooftopfarmstolowincomefamiliesinEgyptanddistribu
theirsustainable&healthycrops..
Management Team:
Sherif Hosny Co-founderandCEO
TarekHosny Co-founderandCOO
FatmaMohamed DirectorofResearch&Training
W en zh e Li H ead R es ea rc he r
Qabila MediaProductions
Presto Wireless
Mediacontentcreatorthatcapitalizesoncrowd-sourcingand
socialmediatoproducecontentthatbridgesthegapbetween
entertainmentandtheintellectualneedofoursociety.
Management Team:
MahmoudE lshafie CEO
PerihanAbou-Zeid CommunicationsDirector
Mosta fa Saeed Bus inessDevelopmentDi rector
AhmadFatehElbab Creat iveDirector
lutionthatenableswiredandwirelessdata
stomerstoexperiencedramaticallyfasterInternet
eeds&higherreliabilitythanthatofavailabledata
tworks.
anagement Team:
aKhalifeh CTO
hankaraRaghuraman CMO
ohamedSharafEldean SoftwareArchitect
ohamed Behery Sof twareArch it ec t
Qabila MediaProductions
PalestineOutsourcing
Company
PrestoWireless
PalestineOutsourcing CompanyOnlinedigitalcontentsolutionssuchascontentdevelopment,
localizationandArabisationtomeetthegrowingoutsourcingdemandin
specificindustries.
Management Team:
SouadAbdelhamid CEO
Sameera Qadoura Headof local izat ionandcontent
development
AmalZanoun HeadofArabi zation
D ee ma An ani B usi ne ss D ev el opm en t Ad vi sor
Join the GIST network today! facebook.com/GISTInitiativeImplemented by CRDF Gl obal Funded by the U.S. Department of State Join the GIST network today! facebook.comImplemented by CRDF Global Funded by the U.S. Department of State
MIT-EF of the Pan Arab Region FinalistsMIT-EF of the Pan Arab Region FinalistsMIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab Business Plan Competition in partnership with ALJ Community Initiatives and a joint initiative with the GIST Initiative
MIT-EF of the Pan Arab Region FinalisMIT-EF of the Pan Arab Region FinalistsMIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab Business Plan Competition in partnership with ALJ Community Initiatives and a joint initiative with the GIST Initia
7/31/2019 GIST I Dare - Web Version
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GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST INITIATIVE ADVISORY GROUP BIGIST INITIATIVE ADVISORY GROUP BIOS
TeeksForGeeksBuiltcloudhostedcomputerlabstorevolutionizecomputer-
basedtraining.OurUS/EU/CanadapatentedILAtechnology
guidesstudents,providingeasieraccesstobetterandcheaper
trainingenvironments.
Management Team:
AhmedKamal GeneralManager
AhmedSoliman CTO
FadiAdibBusinessDevelopmentManager
TeeksForGeeks
Relationshipassistantwhounderstandsyournetworksand
proactivelyrecommendskeyinteractionstohelpyoubuildand
maintaintherelationshipsthatmatter.
Management Team:
Abdul Kade rLamaa CEO
SleimanItani CTO
TalaNsouli ProductDevelopment
Tawasal
Tawasal
Join the GIST network today! facebook.com/GISTInitiativeImplemented by CRDF Gl obal Funded by the U.S. Department of State Join the GIST network today! facebook.comImplemented by CRDF Global Funded by the U.S. Department of State
Mr. Rashid M. Al Ballaa - Founder and CEO, National Net Ventures
Rashid Al Ballaa is the founder and CEO of National Net Ventures (N2V), an internet holding
that is Disrupting Digital Arabia and stimulating the growth of a multi-billion $ internet industr
N2V enables web ventures in Arabia by investing capital and offering essential infrastructur
mentorship, and support to help accelerate their growth.
Rashid is also a board member of National Technology Group (NTG), MENAs largest ICT conglo
key provider of Financial Technology and Services. NTG annual revenue grew to over 700 million th
subsidiaries and JVs in the MENA region.
Before N2V, Rashid founded and managed Mubasher Financial Services (MFS), MENAs first STP e
company and the only provider of DMA to MENA equity markets. Rashid now serves on the boar
Rashid holds a B.Sc. in Computer science with honors degree from King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
H.R.H. Prince Saud Bin Khalid Al-Faisal - Deputy Governor for Investment Affairs - Saud
General Investment Authority
HRH Prince Saud K Al-Faisal heads the Investment Affairs department, which is responsible for ma
investment environment and competitiveness agenda of Saudi Arabia. The Investment Affairs depa
focused on establishing a more liberal investment environment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As p
efforts, HRH Prince Saud K Al-Faisal also chairs the Saudi negotiation team for bilateral investme
In 2010, Saudi Arabia was ranked among the most competitive economies in the world according to
Bank Ease of Doing Business Report and the UNCTAD World Investment Report.
HRH Prince Saud K Al-Faisal is the Vice Chairman of the: Swiss Saudi Joint Economic Commission; Sa
Joint Economic Commission; Saudi Uzbek Joint Economic Commission; Saudi Kazak Joint Economic C
Saudi Greek Joint Economic Commission; Saudi Azerbaijan Joint Economic Commission; and Saudi Se
Economic Commission. HRH Prince Saud K Al-Faisal is the President of the National Competitiven
since 2010. The National Competitiveness Center (NCC) was established by SAGIA in 2006 to act as an independent body to monitor,
support the enhancement of competiveness in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The NCC fulfils this role by serving as a think tank, fac
communicator of change.
HRH Prince Saud K Al-Faisal is a Member of the Board at Saudi Industrial Property Authority (MODON), Chief Operations and Chief Finanfor Investment Affairs at SAGIA and NCC. As Financial Analyst, HRH Prince Saud K Al-Faisal worked with Saudi Aramco during 2001 to
Prince Saud K Al-Faisal was based in the Treasury Department and worked in a number of departments including Internal Auditing, Ne
Development and other financial and planning related departments.
MIT-EF of the Pan Arab Region FinalistsMIT-EF of the Pan Arab Region FinalistsMIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab Business Plan Competition in partnership with ALJ Community Initiatives and a joint initiative with the GIST Initiative
7/31/2019 GIST I Dare - Web Version
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GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST INITIATIVE ADVISORY GROUP BIOSGIST INITIATIVE ADVISORY GROUP BIOS
Mr. Ali smail Sabanc - Chairman and Director, Pegasus Airlines
Mr. Ali smail Sabanc is the Chairman and Director of Pegasus Airlines, and has been serving in th
since 2004. He has been a Director of Air Berlin PLC & Co. Luftverkehrs KG and Air Berlin Plc since
He serves as a Member of the Board of Esas Holding AS. He also serves as a Board Member of vario
companies. He serves as a Director of AFM Uluslararasi Film Produksiyon A.S.
Mr. Sabanc was born in 1969 in Adana, Turkey. After finishing his studies in Politics and Economy
at Tufts University in the USA, he worked as a financial expert at Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorpor
1993. Between 1993 and 1995 he completed his MBA in International Finance at Columbia Busine
On his return to Turkey he worked as a specialist at the Akbank T.A.S. Bahekapi Branch unti
became Assistant Manager at the Akbank T.A.S. Beyoglu Branch until 1997. That same year he beof the Project Department at H.. Sabanci Holding Corporation and in 2001 he was promoted to
the Strategic and Business Development Group. Mr.Sabanc joined Esas Holding Corporation in March 2004 as a member of the Board o
and continued his business life as Chairman of Board of Directors at Pegasus when it was bought by Esas.He is a member of the Board o
of Esass partner companies Izair Corporation and Air Berlin as well as being a member of TYD, TSIAD, ISO and TAIK. Mr. Sabanci spe
English and German and is a married father of two children.
Dr. Roger Wyse - Managing Director and General Partner, Burrill & Company
Dr. Roger Wyse is a Managing Director and General Partner at Burrill & Company a leading Lif
company with $1 billion in venture capital under management, with businesses in merchant bank
equity and media. Dr. Wyse joined Burrill in 1998 and has led the development of Burrill &
agriculture, nutraceuticals, health & wellness, and industrial biotechnology related activities
capital investing. In this endeavor he pioneered the Virtual Corporate Venture model and has
over 40 corporate investors into the various Burrill funds. This model has now been extended
countries including Malaysia, Brazil, Russia, and Chile.
Dr. Wyse chairs or serves on the boards of 11 private companies. He is C o-Chairman of the $162M
Life Capital Fund and is a member of the International Advisory Panel for Biotechnology (BioIA
Prime Minister of Malaysia. He was founder and Chairman of the Alliance for Animal Genome
He serves on the Board of Industrial Section of BIO. Dr. Wyse is a sought after speaker on biot
applications and policy in food, agricultural and bio-cleantech and the use of venture capital as a
of an open innovation strategy for emerging economies.
He has over 30 years of experience as an internationally recognized scientist and as a Dean at two major research universities; Rutge
University of Wisconsin-Madison. Immediately prior to joining Burrill & Company, Dr. Wyse served for 5 years as Dean of the College of A
and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. From 1986 - 1992 he served as Dean of Research at, Rutgers University.
In research, Dr. Wyse earned international recognition for his basic studies in plant biochemistry. He published over 150 scientific
recognition of his research accomplishments he received the prestigious Arthur Flemming Award in 1982 as the Outstanding Young Scie
US Federal Service. He was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Crop Science Society of A
The American Society of Agronomy. He also served as a consultant to numerous Fortune 500 companies.
GIST INITIATIVE ADVISORY GROUP BIGIST INITIATIVE ADVISORY GROUP BIOS
Join the GIST network today! facebook.com/GISTInitiativeImplemented by CRDF Gl obal Funded by the U.S. Department of State Join the GIST network today! facebook.comImplemented by CRDF Global Funded by the U.S. Department of State
Patricia M. Dinneen - Managing Director, Siguler Guff & Company
Patricia M. Dinneen has focused on Emerging Markets for most of her 36-year career. She is currently a
Managing Director at Siguler Guff & Company, a global multi-strategy private equity investment firm with
over $10.0 billion in assets under management. Dr. Dinneen joined the Firm in 2004 to build the BRIC
private equity investment business, focusing on Brazil, Russia, India, China and select Frontier Markets.
She has primary responsibility for overseeing the due diligence, selection and monitoring of funds and co-
investments for the Firms $2 billion BRIC strategy. Prior to joining Siguler Guff in 2004, Dr. Dinneen was at
Cambridge Associates where she led research, client advisory work and due diligence in Emerging Markets
private equity, including performance benchmarking. Prior to Cambridge, she spent ten years at British
Telecommunications (BT), where she was involved in establishing over ten joint ventures in the Emerging
Markets of Asia and Europe. Before BT, Dr. Dinneen worked at Hughes Communications, leading business
ojects to extend digital data and TV satellite communications in developed and Emerging Markets. She has also held positions at The RAND
rporation and the White House. Dr. Dinneen holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics and
Ph.D. in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Mr. Jeff Hoffman - Founder, Priceline
Mr. Jeff Hoffman is an accomplished entrepreneur and innovator in the fields of Internet, e-commerce,
and entertainment. Having launched his first software company while still a student at Yale University,
Mr. Hoffman has founded and grown a series of successful startup companies in his career, guiding his
companies to both acquisitions and public offerings. For his efforts, he received a Lifetime Achievement
Award in Entrepreneurship from the National CEO Council in 2010, and was also inducted into the Hall of
Fame for Entrepreneurs by the International Association of College Entrepreneurs in 2010.
He is currently a founder and partner in ColorJar, a venture accelerator firm that helps entrepreneurs and
small business owners launch and grow new business ventures. In this capacity, he works as a virtual CEO
with startup companies all over the world to help turn great ideas into profitable businesses. Mr. Hoffman
is perhaps best known as a founder and CEO in the Priceline.com family of companies, where he led the
development and launch of Pricelines consumer company (Priceline YardSale). Hoffman also served as an
ecutive in Walker Digital, the parent company of Priceline and one of the countrys most innovative creators of intellectual property and new
siness models. He is also a featured motivational speaker at conferences across the globe.
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GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
SPEAKERS, MENTORS & JUDGES BIOSSPEAKERS, MENTORS & JUDGES BIOS
SPEAKERS, MENTORS & JUDGES BIOSPEAKERS, MENTORS & JUDGES BIOS
James Chan - Co-founder and Principal, Neoteny Labs
Neoteny Labs manages an early-stage venture fund that invests between US$50K to US$500K in consumer
Internet startups in Asia and the US. James works closely with General Partner Joichi Ito on the fund and its
portfolio companies and runs investment and fund operations out of Singapore. Since May 2010, Neoteny
Labs has made 24 investments in the United States and Asia Pacific.
James is also Director of Business Development & Operations at New Context (Singapore), the largest worldwide
lean software development consultancy, helping businesses large and small to develop great software along
lean principles with methods that deliver excellence, reliability and predictability. Prior to Neoteny Labs, James
honed his craft at Walden International, Infocomm Investments and Infocomm Development Authority of
Singapore, with a broad range of experiences in industry and policy development, investment promotion,siness development, operations and venture capital, in the fields of Technology, Media and Telecommunications.
his spare time, James enjoys photography and pens his thoughts on venture capital, entrepreneurship, technology and social engineering on his
og atwww.motochan.com.
Mr. Yousef Hamza - Associate, Envestors MENA
Mr. Hamza is currently with Envestors, one of the only Business Angel Networks in the Middle East
a larger UK network. He has screened over 1,500 SMEs and has advised dozens of high-impact co
a result. He is a member of several mentor networks and company boards, and a frequently reques
on entrepreneurship. He has also built strategic relationships with investors, organizing several events for entrepreneurs. Yousef holds an LLB (Honours) from the University of Cardiff and starte
practicing law in the UAE.
Scott Gillespie - Commercialization Partner, Technology to VC (T2VC)
Scott is currently the Founder and Managing Partner of the Jigsaw Group, an early stage inves
advisory group; as well as the Commercialization Partner for T2VC, a team that manages a
venture fund and architects innovation ecosystems in emerging markets (see www.t2vc.com).
With T2VC, Scott developed and delivered the Bedaya program to early stage ventures, in
including: global mentors and EiRs, group trainings in sales, business models, partnering, fundi
training and support programs, personalized venture roadmaps, new market initiatives with Jo
Canada and the UAE. This activity has led to follow-on projects for T2VC in the region.
Scott shares his insights and experiences at conferences, seminars, networking events, angel groups, universities and non-profit
a co-founder and convener of Power of Angel Investing in Australia. He lectures on innovation & entrepreneurship, strategic ma
management, risk management and environment management; for the business and engineering faculties. Scott is also active with th
YAG, Yacht Aid Global, which sources education and medical supplies and transports them to regions struck by disaster using mega
www.yachtaidglobal.org).
Scotts entrepreneurial career began in 1996, as the founder of the Jigsaw Group where over 15 years he has invested, co-founded, organiz
guided, and turned around ventures in: electric vehicles, new media, software, net tools, composite building materials, VOIP, commun
broadcast tools, business tools, F&B, new media and publishing. While investing and growing early stage ventures Scott and the Jigsaw
assisted transformation of operations for corporations and governments, including the Australian Institute of Commercialization (traini
services), Sabre (RHQ and sales process), ADI (commercialization of defense), Telstra (wireless), and Standards Australia (new product
Scott led the ExpatriateCONNECT initiative which became a virtual network of more than 2500 mentors that has supported more than
-motivated Australian ventures. Scott has a bachelors degree in business (finance), an MBA (marketing), is a Certified Licensing Pro
Certified Financial Planner (academic pending practical), and life learner.
Join the GIST network today! facebook.com/GISTInitiativeImplemented by CRDF Gl obal Funded by the U.S. Department of State Join the GIST network today! facebook.comImplemented by CRDF Global Funded by the U.S. Department of State
Rony El-Nashar - Founder & Managing Partner, SeedStartup
Rony El-Nashar is the founder & Managing Partner of SeedStartup, an international startup accelerator and
seed-stage venture capital fund that invests in web and mobile startups. Through funding and world-class
mentorship, SeedStartup helps entrepreneurs from all around the globe build and scale high impact startups.
SeedStartup has been written about or mentioned in Techcrunch, CNBC Business, The National, Wamda, The
Next Web, New York Times, and has been ranked among the Middle Easts top 10 startup accelerators.
Prior to launching SeedStartup, Mr. El-Nashar was heading the direct investments function at Khalifa Fund
for Enterprise Development. At Khalifa Fund, he was a member of each of the funding committees and
provided funding for over 300 early-stage startups across a variety of industries for a total portfolio value of
over USD $117m.
fore Khalifa Fund Mr. El-Nashar had launched a U.S. based internet startup which was acquired in 2007, after 5 years of growth. Prior to that, he
as with Citrix Systems and later Shomiti Systems, a VC funded tech startup based in Silicon Valley. During his tenure with Shomiti, the company
as acquired by NASDAQ listed Finisar Corporation.
r. El-Nashar holds an MBA from London Business School in addition to a Masters degree in Computer Engineering from Florida Atlantic University
d a Bachelors in Computer Engineering from the University of Florida.
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GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
Eswar Mani Investment Manager, Masdar Capital
Eswar Mani has been a part of the finance industry for over ten years with a specialization in M&A, corporate
finance, equity-linked structuring and private equity with deal experience in Europe, Middle East and Asia.
Eswar is currently an Investment Manager in Masdar Capital tasked with analyzing investment opportunities
globally in a wide variety of industries related to clean technologies, in addition to raising funds from Japanese
investors. Eswar was instrumental in raising capital for DB Masdar Clean Tech Fund from Development Bank
of Japan, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, JX Nippon Oil & Energy
Corporation and INPEX.
fore joining Masdar Capital, Eswar consulted for the World Health Organization in reviewing commercial business sustainability of social
trepreneurs within the household water treatment systems supply chain in Sub-Saharan Africa. The resulting best practices of his teams
port highlighted the importance of strategic relationships with local experts and trusted organizations, a deep market understanding, customer
ucation and smart inventory practices. Eswar has also spoken at various industry events on emerging fund structures in clean technology and
newable energy power generation.
eviously, Eswar was a Senior Associate in the equity-linked origination team at Credit Suisse, where he managed firms daily equity-linked pricing
d structuring needs for European, Middle Eastern, Russian and Japanese issuers. Key transaction experience include the origination, structuring
d execution of the 2bn Mandatory Convertible Offering for Bayer AG, 825m Weather Investments Collateralized Going Public Exchangeable into
ascom, National Bank of Abu Dhabi Private Placement Convertible Bond and 250m Credit Suisse Exchangeable Bond into Q-Cells.
war holds an M.B.A. from M.I.T. Sloan School of Management, where he was a Henry J. Ford Scholar and has a B.Sc. dual degree in Philosophy and
onomics from the London School of Economics and. At MIT, Eswar was a teaching assistant for the Lab for Sustainability (S-Lab) course and an
ganizer of the MIT Energy Conference. Eswar has spent over 20 years in Japan and has native fluency in Japanese.
SPEAKERS, MENTORS & JUDGES BIOSSPEAKERS, MENTORS & JUDGES BIOS
SPEAKERS, MENTORS & JUDGES BIOSPEAKERS, MENTORS & JUDGES BIOS
Dr. Christiane Schloderer, Co-Founder, MindTalk
Christiane has ten years of experience in multinational corporations, in Europe and in the Middle
enjoys working in and with culturally very diverse teams. She was member of a Middle East leader
worked in corporate finance and as turnaround manager brings projects back to profitability
processes and develops teamwork and communication. Christiane mentors, coaches and adv
businesses and start-up companies during the formation and growth phase. She has a diploma
administration and a doctoral degree in creativity, innovation and change management.
Christiane is also a co-founder of MindTalk (www.mindtalk.ae), an Emirati led initiative to prov
events and conferencing solutions for Emirati and later MENA women.
Christiane has a degree in business administration at European Business School in Germany and a doctoral degree from the UniversitForces Munich in Germany.
Christos Mastoras - Director of Business Development, Yahoo! Middle East
Christos Mastoras is the Director of Business Development at Yahoo! Maktoob, where he leads strategic
partnerships, M&A and corporate ventures for the company across the MENA region.
Prior to joining Yahoo!, Christos was an Engagement Manager in the Communications, Media & Technology
practice of Booz & Company in Dubai. There he led Corporate and New Business Development projects
with telecom operators, media companies, broadband providers, ICT authorities, investment firms and
governments advising Board and C-level clients across MENA.
Previously, he held operating and managerial roles in high-tech ventures in the US and Europe, as the
Commercial Director of Upstream (mobile content & applications start-up) and govWorks.com (New York-
sed internet start-up with $60M in funding from KKR and Mayfield).
is very passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation, and active in developing the digital media ecosystem in the region and is the co-
under of Mobile Mondays Dubai.
ristos holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and a B.S. in International Relations from the School of Foreign Service of Georgetown
iversity.
Novel Tjahtadi - Managing Partner, Gulfware
Novel considers himself a global citizen thanks to his 15+ years of multi-disciplinary management
in Oil & Gas and IT. He has lived and worked in 7 countries in the Middle East, France, Asia and A
completed his engineering and IT degrees in the UK, Indonesia and recently an MBA degree with H
Spain. A certified project manager, Novel is experienced in technology system development an
strategy execution.
He is currently the Managing Partner of Gulfware (www.gulfware.com), based in Dubai (United AraIt is an IT venture which offers home-grown solutions including G*Trust, a hardware-based SMS
solution and Textello.com, an Audience Response System via SMS and Twitter.
Novel speaks English, French and Indonesian. An avid fan of racket sports, music and traveling, he enjoys networking and coach
entrepreneurs. He is part of The Mentors Inc., an accelerator program for startups.
You can reach him through Linkedin http://ae.linkedin.com/in/noveltjand Twitter @noveltj
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GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
Natalia Pipia - Senior Program Manager, Innovation Programs The Global Innovation through
Science and Technology (GIST) Initiative
Natalia Pipia develops and oversees all Innovation Programs at CRDF Global. In her current position, Natalia
is responsible for developing outreach strategies to external partners and funders for Innovation Programs.
She develops new opportunities with various organizations and funders who share CRDF Globals objective
of promoting innovation in emerging economies and advancing the development of new opportunities for
technology entrepreneurs. She carries out programs that promote strategic partnerships between technology
entrepreneurs and businesses, build innovation ecosystems in countries where programs are being implemented,
and facilitate U.S. market access.
Natalia has 10 years of experience working in economic development and executed various initiatives in
coordination with numerous associations, companies, technology transfer groups, governmental, and non-vernmental organizations in Eurasia, Middle East, Africa, Central and Southeast Asia.
talia holds a M.A. in International Relations from the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Johns Hopkins University.
e resides with her family in Washington, DC metropolitan area.
mail: [email protected]
Ovidiu (Ovi) Bujorean - GIST Program Manager, The Global Innovation through Science and
Technology (GIST) Initiative
Ovidiu (Ovi) Bujorean is Program Manager for the GIST Initiative. Ovidiu is member of the Board of Directors and
Regional Chair for Washington DC and Virginia for MIT Enterprise Forum. He also serves as an Advisor to the MIT
Portugal Entrepreneurship and Innovation Initiative. Previously, he was the Senior Associate at Rudyard Partners,
a private equity firm focused on investing in consumer technology opportunities for the global marketplace.
Ovidiu managed a $600k UNDP e-government Project for the Romanian Presidency. The project was recognized
by UNDP as regional best practice in capacity building and public administration reform. He also worked with
Gemini Consulting, Deutsche Post Consulting, and BCG.
Ovidiu also founded and led LEADERS, an organization who impacted the lives of approximately 10000 young
leaders and entrepreneurs in Romania and Southern-Eastern Europe. The partnership he built between Leaders
d Vodafone was recognized by the Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum as a worldwide best practice in developing young leaders. He currently
rves on the Advisory Board of The Capital Network, City of Cambridge, AIESEC at Harvard and as a judge in the competition Startup Chile.
was invited to speak on the topic of Professional Networking by the MIT Portugal Entrepreneurship program, the Swiss government, Columbia
iversity and The State Department TechCamp initiative. He was the winner of Mayor Menino Boston World Partnership Battle of the Network
ars competition that included 125 top Boston connectors. He is a graduate of the MIT Sloan School of Management MBA program and the
augural Sloan Entrepreneurship and Innovation program in Technology. Ovidiu also holds an MPA degree from the Harvard Kennedy School, an
A in Organizational and Business Psychology and an MA in Governance and Institutional Development. He holds a BA in trade from Academy of
onomic Studies in Bucharest. He served two terms as the National President of AIESEC in Romania.
mail: [email protected]
ORGANIZERS BIOSORGANIZERS BIOS ORGANIZERS BIOSORGANIZERS BIOSAmanda Gant - Associate Program Manager, Global Innovation through Science & Technolo
Initiative
Amanda Gant joined CRDF Global in March 2012 where she is excited to be a part of supporting the in
entrepreneurial community. She holds a BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and will recei
in International Policy and Development from Georgetown University this May. Her thesis examines the
mobile banking on microfinance institutional performance outcomes. Amanda stays active in her local c
by organizing Glover Park Day, the community day that brings her neighborhood together to showcase
businesses and non-profits. She shares experiences through travel and cultural exchange by creating and
service and ecotourism trips to Nicaragua since 2008. Amanda is fluent in Spanish. Email: agant@crdfglob
Yuritzi Acosta Program Assistant, Global Innovation through Science & Technology (GIST) In
Yuritzi has significant international experience working in the fields of education and advocacy. Her interes
with entrepreneurs and leaders across the globe brought her to CRDF Global in April 2011. As a member
Initiative she has worked on projects that empower entrepreneurs to commercialize their innovative ideas t
coordination of events and facilitation of access to relevant information.
Over the course of her work, she has coordinated a variety of educational and advocacy programs funded b
such as NeighborWorks USA, USAID and the Florida Department of Education and now the Departmen
Having lived in countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe, Yuritzi brings a global view and adap
the team. Her interest in the interconnectedness of cultures and people has led her to complete an MA in International Studies with a
development from Florida International University. Yuritzi is also fluent in English, French and Spanish. Email: [email protected]
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GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
ORGANIZERS BIOSORGANIZERS BIOS
Joelle Yazbeck- Executive Director, MIT Enterprise Forum of the Pan Arab Region
vJoelle Yazbeck has a passion for entrepreneurship and supporting young talents in the Arab world. Joelle has joined
the MIT Enterprise Forum of the Pan Arab Region (MITEF) since its inception in 2007. She has contributed to the
development of the MITEF Arab Business Plan Competition that has nowadays become the largest Business Plan
Competition in the Arab region receiving more than 4,500 applications yearly from 20 countries. Joelle currently oversees
the day-to-day operations of the MITEF and assists to its strategic direction. The MITEF has grown its activities beyond
the Business Plan Competition catering for ideas, startups, and SMEs to become one of the key players in the Arab
entrepreneurship ecosystem.
In 2009, Joelle joined the American University of Beirut and was involved in setting up the Entrepreneurship Initiative
the Olayan School of Business, which later became the Darwazah Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. In 2006, Joelle was the Program
ordinator of the Lebanese organization, Bader Young Entrepreneurs Program, which was created to promote entrepreneurship as an alternative
the migrating youth amid the political instability in 2005.
elle holds a BA in Economics from Notre Dame University (NDU, Lebanon).
Join the GIST network today! facebook.com/GISTInitiativeImplemented by CRDF Gl obal Funded by the U.S. Department of State Join the GIST network today! facebook.comImplemented by CRDF Global Funded by the U.S. Department of State
Hala Fadel Chair, MIT Enterprise Forum of the Pan Arab Region
Hala Fadel is a driven individual who believes in social change in the Arab region through empowering the youth.
She considers empowering the youth can be done through promoting entrepreneurship and organizing constructive
events in the region. Hala has founded numerous NGOs that cater to the advancement and development of the
youth, including the MIT Enterprise Forum of the Pan-Arab Region, which helped start over 120 businesses in the
Arab region and sits on the Advisory Board MIT Enterprise Forum Global, an avid promoter of entrepreneurship
globally.
Hala is also Founder and Chair of the first carfree event in the Middle East; 12 km in the city of Tripoli - Lebanon
were free of cars for24 hours. The goal of this event, which gathered more than 20,000 people was to raise awareness
about the environment and to highlight Tripoli - Lebanon as a key player in such causes.
Hala is portfolio manager at Comgest, and president of the Beirut office that services the Middle East. She previously
rked at Merrill Lynch and ranked number 1 and number 3 over 50 European analysts. E-mail:[email protected]. Twitter: @halafrangie
UPCOMING EVENTSUPCOMING EVENTSUPCOMING EVENTS DATE LOCATION
GIST Tech-I Competition Launch July, 2012 www.gistinititiv
GIST Startup Boot Camp Senegal July 10-11, 2012 Dakar, Seneg
GIST Startup Boot Camp Algeria July 14-15, 2012 Algiers, Alge
GIST Startup Boot Camp Tunisia July 18-19, 2012 Tunis, Tunis
Webinar: Technology Transfer and Incubation August, 2012 Online
Global Entrepreneurship Flag Competition September, 2012www.facebook
GISTinitiati
GIST Transformers Entrepreneurship Journey to the US October, 2012San Francisco, Ne
Boston & Washi
GIST Tech Connect, Pakistan October 2, 2012 Online
GIST Tech-I Finalists event November 12-18, 2012 UAE
GIST PARTNERS - PAN ARAB REGIONGIST PARTNERS - PAN ARAB REGION
MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab Business Plan Competition in partnership with ALJ Community Initiatives and a joint initiative with the GIST Init
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GIST IN THE NEWSGIST IN THE NEWS GIST IN THE NEWGIST IN THE NEW
Young entrepreneurs from NUST have made the nation proud.
PakistansPrimeMinisterSyedYusufRazaGilaniextendedhiscongratulationstoentrepreneursfromPakistansNationalUniversityof
andTechnology.HecommendedtheSaharaandSaltechteamsformakingittothevictorystandataninternationalbusinessplancom
titledGlobalInnovationthroughScience&Technology(GIST)--BattleofIdeasWorldCup2011.
Readmoreattiny.cc/NUST
Steven Koltai founder of the GlobalEntrepreneurship Program attends GIST TechGISTTech-IisamultinationalcompetitionhostedbyCRDFGlobal
GlobalInnovationthroughScienceandTechnology(GIST),whichin
entrepreneursin43Muslimcountriestosubmitproposalsoutlinin
ideasfortechnologyinnovation.Ofthe25semi-finalists,NajwaSh
andZiadSankariofLebanonwontheGrandPrize$20,000forthe
concept,CardioDiagnostics,adevicewhichprovidescontinuousm
forpatientswithheartproblems.
Readmoreattiny.cc/GISTech-I
Its Not a Small WorldNextdoorinTurkey,IstanbulhostedMITsGlobalStartupWorkshop,amulti-dayeventthatbrought
togetherparticipantsfromover40countries.StudentsfromMITandStanfordsBASESorganization
oughtperspective,andtheU.S.StateDepartmentsGlobalInnovationinScienceandTechnology(GIST)programcoordinatedbyCRDFGlobal
onsoredinternationalmentorstoworkwith30ofthetopTurkishtechnologyentrepreneurs.AconsequenceofPresidentObamasCairo
eech,GISThelpsorganizestartupbootcampsaroundtheworldtoempowereconomicdevelopmentthroughinnovationandentrepreneurship.
Istanbul,theprogramwasbookendedbyDeputyAssistantSecretaryofStateJonathanMargolisandManagingDirectoroftheMIT
trepreneurshipCenter,BillAulet.Whilesuccessrequiresintellectualandtechnicaltalent,hunger,mentorship,andcapital,thelocationswhere
sisbecomingpossibleareeverexpanding.Byshiningalightonlocaldeficiencies,whethercapitalorhumancapital,energyormentorship,we
nleveltheplayingfield.
admoreat tiny.cc/FORBESonGIST
Indonesian Minister: We need four million entrepreneursTheyhostedarecentconferenceandbusinessplancompetitiontoinspire,educateandcajoleyoung
peopleintotakingtheplunge.Theresarealcravingforthiskindofknowledgehere,accordingto
idiuBujorean,programmanagerforGlobalInnovationthroughScienceandTechnology,theUS-basedagencythatrantheevent.Energy,drive,
timismthepeopleIveseenherearetheoneswhocantaketheIndonesianeconomyintothenewglobaleconomyofknowledge,ideasand
osperity.[Disclosure:Ispoke,judgedandputtogetherapaneldiscussionatthisevent,implementedbyCRDFGlobalandfundedbytheUSState
partment.]
admoreat tiny.cc/GISTinFORBES
Join the GIST network today! facebook.com/GISTInitiativeImplemented by CRDF Gl obal Funded by the U.S. Department of State Join the GIST network today! facebook.comImplemented by CRDF Global Funded by the U.S. Department of State
Heart Attack Monitor Wins US Startup Contest for Middle East
MostMiddleEastentrepreneurscanonlydreamofastartupoasissuchasCaliforniasSiliconValleythatisfilledwithangelinvestorsandventurecapitalists.Butafewentrepreneurshavebegunreceivingfundingfromamore
unlikelysource-theU.S.government.Oneofthoseentrepreneurs,ZiadSankari,wasjust17whenhelosthisfather
toaheartattack.Today,theLebaneseengineerisbuildingastartupbasedonamedicaldevicethatcanmonitor
rdiacpatientsoutsidethehospitalaroundtheclock.Hisstartupideawonafirstplaceprizeof$20,000inthefinalroundsoftheU.S.-sponsored
STTech-ICompetitionheldinIstanbullastDecember.ThatfundingfromtheU.S.StateDepartmentmayhelpSankariandhiscolleague,Najwa
hmarani,developabusinessplanfortheirCardioDiagnosticsstartup.Thecompetitionalsoprovidedbusinessmentoringbyflyinginexperts
mMITandSiliconValley.GISTechwasourshortcuttowardsbetterconnectionsandvisibilityandprovidedus,indeed,withsomecashand
matchableopportunitiestovisitSiliconValleyandpossiblyfindacollaboratorthere,Sankarisaid.
admoreattiny.cc/msnGIST
Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Ideas for IndonesBeyond
StartupBootCampIndonesiaisaprogramrunbytheGIST(GlobalInnovationthroughScienceandTechnology)Initiative.GISTwasesta
in2010,withfundingfromtheU.S.DepartmentofState,tospureconomicadvancementthroughscience-andtechnology-basedinnov
countriesacrosstheMiddleEast,NorthAfrica,andAsia.TheideabehindGISTisthateconomicallyempoweredpeople(akaentreprene
thebasisforpoliticalstabilityandeconomicgrowth.
Readmoreattiny.cc/GISTinX
Road Trip! Founders Of YouTube, LinkedIn and OthersTackle Brain Drain in Malaysia
laysiahasaveryyoungpopulation,65%ofwhichisunder35,aswellastheneedtocreatejobsquickly.Hwangsaysentrepreneurshipcan
atealternativestootheractivities.Inmanycasesthegovernmentisrespondingtodemandbythepeople,shesays,likeinIndonesia,where
rassrootsmovementbegan.Thegovernmentrecognizedentrepreneurshiptobeagoodcausetoengageyoungtalentandcreatealternatives
otheractivities.SheobservesthattheU.S.governmenthasbeenpromotingentrepreneurshipinMuslim-dominatedcountrieswiththisgoal.
heGISTinitiativeisapartnerofStartupMalaysia.org
admoreattiny.cc/BRAINDRAIN
Meet the Coolest Next-Generation Science Entrepreneurs in MENA
AtthesecondGlobalEntrepreneurshipSummitinIstanbulrecently,weatWamdaweretremendouslyinspiredbythecontestantsinth
InnovationthroughScience&Technology(GIST)Competition,whocamefromallovertheMiddleEastandNorthAfricatoshowcaseth
carefully-honedscientificideasthatcouldtransformoursocieties.
Readmoreattiny.cc/WAMDA
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Technology Acceleration
CRDF Global promotes business growth by supporting
students, researchers and technology developers who believe
that their product or service is viable commercially. Programs
guide them through the process o commercialization by
honing their skills and helping them to g row and realize their
market potential. Identiying intellectual property with commercial
potential in universities and corporations
Hands-on training in technology transer and intellectual
property rights
Online technology commercialization courses
Technology valuation and market assessment
CRDF Global is a private, nongovernmental organization
ommitted to promoting peace and prosperity through
cience and technology. Its innovation and entrepreneurship-
ocused programs develop technology commercialization
apabilities and sustaining networks abroad. Domestically,
CRDF Global helps to create more viable investment,
artnership and collaborative opportunities for American
usinesses and scientists who gain access to top international
esearch and expertise.
Startup Support
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone o all
economies and the source o growth and dynamism. CRDF
Global oers a comprehensive suite o programs designed to
nurture these early-stage companies.
Identiying promising business opportunities, unders,
partners and resources
Designing and executing a cceleration programs
Comprehensive skill development training
Access to sources o unding
nnovation Ecosystem Development
RDF Global believes in the bottom-up approach in building
he local ecosystems and supports local entrepreneurship
nitiatives by identiying leaders, existing programs and the
aps in the system.
Assisting with the ormation o new technology
commercialization ofces and incubators
Strategic planning
Management training and educational outreach
Comprehensive programs designed to enhance
entrepreneurship culture
Assisting with investment capital inrastructure
development
Core Program Beliefs
nnovation. We believe strongly in the power o technologynd innovation as drivers or sustainable growth.
Entrepreneurship.Entrepreneurs transorm innovationnto enterprises that generate value and create jobs. Our
rograms are designed with the individual in mind, as theucleus and sole purpose o our mission.
Strategic partnerships. We partner with like-minded local
and regional organizations and corporations to leverage our
resources and capabilities to build capacity or greater impact
and avoid redundancy.
BUILDING ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEMSInnovation and Entrepreneurship Programs CRDF GLOBALS IMPACCRDF GLOBALS IMPACT
Join the GIST network today! facebook.com/GISTInitiativeImplemented by CRDF Gl obal Funded by the U.S. Department of State Join the GIST network today! facebook.comImplemented by CRDF Global Funded by the U.S. Department of State
Increasing Opportunities for Early-StageEntrepreneurs
In the search or entrepreneurs with innovative technology
ideas that can address a problem aecting their country
or region, the Global Innovation through Science and
echnology (GIS) Initiative has implemented the GISech-I
Competition, attracting close to 200 teams rom the Middle
East, Arica, and Central and South E ast Asia. Among them
was CardioDiagnostics, a Lebanese startup ounded by Ziad
Sankari. Ziad lost his ather at the age o 17 to a heart attack,
which inspired him to create a medical device that monitors
cardiac patients outside the hospital around the clock. Tis
idea earned him a top prize o the competition awarded at
the Second Global Entrepreneurship Summit on December
3-5, 2011 in Istanbul, urkey. CardioDiagnostics has been
given a strong start or a global success with $20,000 in seed
unding, hands-on training with serial entrepreneurs andbusiness mentors, global media exposure by MSNBC and
Wired Magazine, an upcoming trip to Silicon Valley and
participation in the MI Global Startup Workshop.
Providing Access to Capital
Te ecoFridge, a revolutionary rerigeration system usedto transport perishable products, was developed by a team
o Ukrainian scientists with a U.S. business partner who
participated in a CRDF Global research and development
grant competition. CRDF Global provided training and
mentorship to the team to prepare them to eectively pitch
the ecoFridge at a venture orum in Los Angeles, CA. As a
result, the team obtained $2.2 million o ollow-on capital
investment to develop their business, and EcoFridge is
now being adopted by companies around the world who
appreciate its environmental benets and cost efciency.
Transforming Technology Transfer in Rus
CRDF Global has trained more than 300 technology
managers and assisted eight leading research univers
establishing technology transer ofces, which signi
contributed to the establishment o the local innova
ecosystem. Te Programs include proessional skills
development seminars, workshops, academia and in
international conerences, and site visits to the Unite
or technology transer proessionals. Similar activiti
strengthened the technology commercialization cap
o more than 20 research universities o the Russian
Federation.
Accessing U.S. Markets
Since 2005, CRDF Global has implemented more th
U.S. travel programs or close to 90 participants repr
dozens o universities, research institutes and technocompanies rom Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan an
collaborated with such prominent U.S. organizations
Babson College, Garage echnology Ventures, Plug &
Incubator, Cleanech Open and others. Based on the
and highly customizable ormat o the Innovation U
programs and existing cache o experience, best prac
and partners, CRDF Global is able to design and imp
results-oriented and cost-eective programs that per
t the objectives and needs o a diverse range o part
organizations in emerging markets.
Building Institutional Capacity
Since 2005, CRDF Global has partnered with the Ent
Incubator Foundation (EIF), one o the most success
I-ocused technology business incubators and cons
companies in the Caucasus region, to implement its
and echnology Entrepreneurship Program (SEP).
co-unding rom the Ministry o Economy o the Rep
o Armenia, EIF implemented more than 15 SEP ac
including the Business Partnership Grant (BPG) pro
Innovation Forums, cluster seminars, business traini
scientic community, legal and accounting seminars
matchmaking events. Trough its partnership with C
Global, EIF strengthened communication channels b
science and private sectors, gained broader access to
business network and scaled up its outreach and pro
non-I sectorsbecoming one o the ocal entrepren
support organizations in Armenia and in the region.
Ziad Sankari, CardioDiagnostics
GIST Tech-I
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GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
TheGISTInitiativeisfundedbytheU.S.DepartmentofStateandimplementedbyCRDFGlobal
GIST PARTNERSGIST PARTNERS
PAKISTAN
TUNISIA ALGERIA
EGYPT
Building local entrepreneurialecosystems together
REGIONAL JORDAN
TURKEY
INDONESIA
MALAYSIA BANGLADESH
SENEGAL
NOTESNOTES
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GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
GIST I Dare Business Plan Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE
NOTESNOTESNOTESNOTES
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JOIN THE GIST NETWORKhttp://tiny.cc/JoinGIST
FOLLOW US TO RECEIVE NEWS ON NEW EVENTS
HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE GIST INITIATIVE
GIST CRDF Globa1530 Wilson Blvd. 3rd FL
Arlington, VA 22209www.crdf.org; www.gistinitiative.org
@GISTinitiative
facebook.com/GISTinitiative
GIST I DareBusiness Plan
Competition FinaleJune 27-28, 2012 Dubai / UAE