Innovative business initiative launched by Al Tamimi Investments to nurture young entrepreneurs in the UAE

Dubai, UAE, 7th October 2009: Dubai's financial district was a fitting location for the launch of The Big Start, an initiative created by Al Tamimi Investments to foster entrepreneurship among final year undergraduate students in the UAE. The Big Start is a student entrepreneur competition where the winning student(s) will set up and run their own business after they graduate, with full funding and support from Al Tamimi Investments. The winning student(s) will be assigned the title of Chief Executive Officer and have a structured shareholding in their business.

Open to all final year undergraduate university and college students currently studying in the UAE, The Big Start represents the beginning of a journey for aspiring students which, if successful, will end in the establishment of their own business.  Qualifying students are encouraged to visit the website, www.thebigstart.ae, to find out more about the once in a lifetime opportunity.  On each step of the journey entrants will gain from Al Tamimi Investment's support, from guidance on how to prepare and present a business plan to full funding and mentoring for the winning student(s).

The Big Start has been created by Al Tamimi Investments, as a way to give back to the UAE community to deliver opportunity, contribute to regional economic growth and enable ambitious students to gain real life exposure to the challenges and rewards of running their own business.

Commenting on the launch of the initiative, Rachael Wunsch, General Manager of Al Tamimi Investments said: "The Big Start is an exciting initiative with huge potential to create successful entrepreneurs.  It was conceived as a way to inspire and reward students who have great business ideas, but as of yet, no clear path for turning those ideas into reality.  In today's current economic climate, it is more important than ever to develop the next generation of UAE entrepreneurs through access to world class knowledge and global best practices combined with a long term approach to business success."

Al Tamimi Investments is committed to the creation of genuine business opportunities in partnership with the winning student(s), uniquely providing full funding for the winning venture(s). The successful Big Start student(s) will also be nurtured and mentored throughout the business start up phase by an experienced team from Al Tamimi Investments.  When the business goes live, the successful student will hold the position of CEO and shareholding in the company.

Now open to applicants, The Big Start process comprises three rounds which successful students will have to navigate in order to become the CEO and shareholder of their own business:

Round one, students will submit their business idea via The Big Start website: www.thebigstart.ae.   Students will be able to put their idea into a business concept by using a simple tool that has been specifically designed to be straightforward and succinct.  Concepts will be graded by a jury from Al Tamimi Investments and the students with the highest scores will move on to the next round.

Round two, students will attend a business plan workshop to help them translate their concept into a formal business plan. Those with the strongest business plans will progress to the third and final round.

Round three, the qualifying student(s) will present their business plan to the Al Tamimi Investments management team and the best of the best will be selected to deliver a final presentation to the Chairman, Essam Al Tamimi who will make the final selection based on the most commercially viable business plan(s) to invest in.

The application process is designed to be as accessible and succinct as possible, while also providing a structure through which students can develop their business ideas without compromising their academic studies.

Commenting further on the launch of this exciting initiative, Rachael Wunsch added: "The Big Start is a unique offering which combines both financial backing as well as a long term interest in the success of the chosen enterprise(s) and the successful student(s). The initiative will help to prepare all students who go through the selection process, nurturing the real life skills they need to succeed in business in the future.  Through this initiative, we aim to raise both the quality and number of successful entrepreneurial projects in the UAE."

To find out more about The Big Start visit: www.thebigstart.ae

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About The Big Start:
The Big Start is an initiative that provides students in the UAE the opportunity to turn their business ideas into a reality. Launched in 2009, The Big Start is an annual event which aims to encourage entrepreneurship and is open to all final year undergraduate students currently studying in the UAE. Comprising of three rounds, the initiative focuses on creating opportunity for students and the development of core business skills. The successful student(s) will be developed and mentored throughout the business start up phase by an experienced team from Al Tamimi Investments.  Once the business goes live, the successful student will hold the position of CEO and an agreed structured shareholding in the company.

The Big Start is a student entrepreneur competition where the winning student(s) will set up and run their own business after they graduate, with the full funding and support from Al Tamimi Investments. The winning student(s) will have a structured shareholding in their business and will be given the title of CEO.

About Al Tamimi Investments Ltd
Al Tamimi Investments is a diversified Dubai holding company with an extensive investment portfolio, operating across the Arabian Gulf and the wider Middle Eastern region. We are a dynamic company with a range of significant competencies, including Real Estate, Early Education, Construction & Engineering, Facilities Management, Franchising, Healthcare Consulting, Hospitality, Publishing, and e-commerce. Established in 2006, Al Tamimi Investments fosters mutually beneficial and long-term partnerships with other strategically focused companies and institutions. We work with our partners to plan, develop and build high quality real property assets which deliver genuine capital appreciation and long-term returns. For more information, please visit www.tamimiinvestment.com      

© Press Release 2009