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Seventh Investing In Technology Forum (IITF) To Open On 11 May With Focus On Entrepreneurship In Arab World
Published May 11, 2010
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Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the region's leading integrated free zone Technology Park, announced the 7th edition of the Investing in Technology Forum (IITF), organized in collaboration with the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF), will open on 11 May in Dubai.
A total of 26 projects that have been submitted from across the region will be taken for assessment by venture capital firms during the event.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and CEO of Emirates airline and Group, and Chairman of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), IITF 2010 will run until 13 May at Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort and Spa in Dubai.
Themed ‘Establishing a Regional Integrated System for Innovation’, the forum will host more than 175 businesses and investors, delegates from major technology companies, and emerging businesses, as well as representatives of venture capital funds.
Dr. Mohamed Al Zarouni, Vice Chairman & CEO, DSOA, said: “By organizing and participating in this forum, Dubai Silicon Oasis seeks to develop entrepreneurship in the region and highlight several issues related to technological development in the Arab world. Panel discussions by experts will also put emphasis on the best ways that ensure an integrated system for technology in the region. The event will additionally aim to encourage the setting up of venture capital firms, which represent a major pillar in the success of technology and innovation.”
Dr. Abdullah Abdul Aziz Al Najjar, President of ASTF, said: “Following the global financial crisis, pilot projects that may generate reasonable economic growth rates and create new jobs have assumed enormous significance. Consequently, the 7th edition of the Investing in Technology Forum will focus on entrepreneurship through supporting a regionally integrated innovation system and contributing to the development of a knowledge-based economy in the Arab world.
“Supporting entrepreneurship requires the combined efforts of three different sectors – the government, multinational companies and the Arab community. This will lead to building a knowledge-based community that represents the three sides of a vital triangle symbolizing science, technology and innovation, supported by investment financing and the Arab governments.”
The 26 creative and innovative projects that will be evaluated at the investor-entrepreneur matchmaking session include projects from the UAE, Egypt, Syria, US, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan, the last of which topped the list in submitting the largest number of projects.
Al Najjar added: "Our objective is to spread the entrepreneurial culture and self-employment among young Arabs and assist people who have creative and innovative ideas that could mature into promising technology companies; the reason why a networking session was planned on the first day was to facilitate a meeting between representatives of venture capital funds and young entrepreneurs to explore opportunities for investment funding for promising projects.”
The projects cover a wide variety of technology areas, ranging from information and communication to health, education, and children, as well as services in general, demonstrating the importance the Arab countries place on entrepreneurship.
Sponsors of the 7th Investing in Technology Forum include the Islamic Bank for Development, Advanced Technology Investment Company, Synopsys, Mentor Graphics, Qualcomm, and D1G as a media sponsor.
For more information:
Mazen El Dirany
Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority
Associate Manager - Corporate Communications
Tel: (+971 4) 5015102
Fax: (+971 4) 5015200
GSM: (+971 50) 2266956
E-mail: meldirany@dso.ae
Posted by
VMD - [Virtual Marketing Department]
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