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- AIM Startup gears up for the second edition and start-up funding expected to cross US$1 billion this year
- Start-ups in MENA raised US$560 million in 2017
- Start-ups to boost employment in the Arab World
- AIM Startup will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from April 9 to 11, 2018 to connect start-ups with investors.
Dubai, UAE - Startup funding worth more than $1 billion is likely to be raised in the UAE this year, according to Arabnet, an online hub for digital professionals and entrepreneurs to connect and learn, which could push up the start-up sector that gears up for the region’s largest mega start-up event – the three-day AIM Startup that takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 9-11, 2018.
Start-up movement in the Middle East is accelerating with 260 start-up deals generating US$560 million in 2017, up from 176 deals raising US$249 million in 2016 while governments are reducing entry-level barriers and improving the ‘Doing Business’ environment that is helping start-ups to expand fast.
Registration is still open for start-ups to apply for the annual event. Any start-up in line with the theme – “Technology For Sustainable Development And Inclusive Growth” and a business plan could vie for the final showdown for funding at the AIM Startup – the biggest start-up event in the Middle East – where venture capitalist and angel investors come to find the best start-up for funding.
AIM Startup, the largest platform in the MENA region for start-ups, is helping create a start-up eco-system that will bring investors, venture capitals and start-ups closer to help create employment and accelerate economic growth.
As many as 200 start-ups will showcase their innovative products/services to a global audience for three full days and among them, the most worthy start-ups will be short-listed to pitch their projects to a panel of international expert and massive number of investors, potential business partners, corporate and government representatives, with a goal to attract capital investment and cash rewards. AIM Startup winners will be awarded with various prizes, including a total cash prize of $50,000, to be distributed to finalists in recognition of their achievements and innovations.
Jake Zeller, Partner of AngelList says, “I’m thrilled to serve as a judge for the AIM Startup 2018 pitch competition. This is an incredible opportunity for start-ups to connect with business leaders, investors and governments from all over the world. I can't wait to see the presenting start-ups.”
AIM Startup, the annual exhibition and event that will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from April 9-11, 2018, is fast becoming the most important annual jamboree of the start-ups in the Arab World. With the theme – Technology for Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth – the second edition of AIM Startup has been aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
An initiative of the UAE Ministry of Economy, AIM Startup brings tech-entrepreneurs closer to investors, venture capital funds and mentors, to help new technology-driven solutions and companies start up and grow. AIM Startup runs concurrently with the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) – the world’s leading platform for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in emerging markets, which is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The platform is aimed at facilitating strategic networking and promoting investment.
Start-ups in the region need funding and institutional support to expand and play their due role in changing the economic landscape.
About AIM Startup
AIM Startup was launched in 2017 as an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Economy to connect promising start-ups 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, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
AIM Startup is an ideal platform for start-up 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. April 9-11, AIM Startup will host the second edition of its annual Innovation Showcase and Pitch Competition in Dubai, UAE, in conjunction with the Annual Investment Meeting, Future Cities Show and DIGAE.
This year, 200 promising start-ups will convene under one roof to meet with investors, corporates, government representatives and industry experts and will be given the opportunity to demo their ground-breaking solutions to a global audience of more than 19,000.
For further information, kindly contact:
Rima Shetye
Assistant Project Specialist
AIM Startup
P.O. Box 10161, Dubai, UAE
Tel : + 971 4 3923232
Fax : + 971 4 3923332
Email : rima.shetye@aimstartup.com
Web : www.aimstartup.com
Mariam Mikhail
Public & Media Relations Manager
Pan Asian Group
PO Box : 39865, Dubai, UAE
Tel : +9714-2281021
Cell : +97156 2228535
E-mail : m.mikhail@panasian1.com
