Levant And Middle East Private Equity And Venture Capital

Everywhere I look (and I look under every stone these days…), I see and read about the great entrepreneurial boom spreading across the MENA region. From Berytech Fund’s 50 million upcoming fund to Middle East Venture Partners’ 50 million USD fund to Fadi Ghandour’s upcoming 75 million USD fund to Haddad Advisory’s 100 million USD fund, there seems to be a huge amount of capital out there chasing what should ideally be an equal amount of great startups. But is that really the case? Having looked into the Lebanon and Levant private equity and venture capital scene, the UAE private equity and venture capital scene, the GCC private equity and venture Capital scene, the MENA seed funding, early stage financing and angel investors scene, etc… I get the same sense of uneasiness that something is not quite right. There seems to be way too much money chasing way too little quality startups. In other terms, demand vastly exceeds supply. And that spells out one thing and one alone: bubble! And that is not good for anyone in the MENA startup ecosystem! Because all bubbles have one thing in common: one day or another… they burst! And when they do, it’s ugly! Now don’t get me wrong. I have been supporting (and applauding) the great strides being made in the last years across the MENA startup ecosystem. As an entrepreneur and investor, I have witnessed both sides of the boom. And that is precisely why I would hate to see all this headed down the same path that the Dubai real estate scene took a few years back! But how can we prevent such a looming disaster from happening? First and foremost by giving more credit (and better terms) to the entrepreneurs (those who are the key to the entire ecosystem). In Silicon Valley, good startups are like prima donnas. Investors fight to get in at ground zero. In MENA, great startups are still treated as infants who are lucky enough to grab the attention of the regional investment community. As my friend Nima Adelkhani recently posted right here on MENA OPPORTUNITIES: cut the entrepreneurs some slack. Because guess what: without them, there are no VCs, angel investors, early stage funds or startup ecosystem for that matter… It’s like petrol stations inflating the price of fuel and not understanding that they only exist in the first place because... people drive cars. The car drivers are those with the power, not the petrol stations. Over and out… Charles Corm http://www.menaopportunities.info/2014/03/levant-and-middle-east-private-equity.html#.UzkBjIWyMTA

Wamda Research Lab debuts a groundbreaking report on the barriers to scaling

For entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), scaling their companies is not easy. Challenges to finding talent and marketing products or facing a lack of funding, can stifle even the most resourceful entrepreneurs. Reducing the barriers to scale for these entrepreneurs is crucial, not just for developing a healthy entrepreneurship ecosystem, but for creating jobs and contributing to economic growth in the MENA region. The Wamda Research Lab’s first study, The Next Step: Breaking barriers to scale for MENA’s entrepreneurs, offers critical insight into the current challenges that entrepreneurs face to growing their companies, to provide policymakers and stakeholders with the information needed to build a supportive ecosystem in the MENA region. The following statistics are the study’s main findings. 1. MENA’s growing ecosystem: The Wamda Research Lab finds that there are currently over 140 organizations actively working with entrepreneurs in the region. 2. Signs of enterprise growth: Over 60% of the surveyed companies with 3-year Compound Annual Growth Rates (CAGR) have added jobs over the past 3 years. 3. Signs of scaleups: 20% of the surveyed companies with 3-year CAGR’s are scale-ups - companies more than three years old with employment growth of 20% or better. 4. UAE Expansion: 39% of the entrepreneurs we’ve surveyed plan to open new offices or deepen their presence in the UAE in 1 to 2 years. 5. Saudi Expansion: 38% of entrepreneurs surveyed plan to open new offices or deepen their presence in Saudi Arabia in 1 to 2 years. 6. Scaling is difficult: 60% of experts surveyed say that scaling is the most challenging phase for entrepreneurs in MENA. Barriers to scale: 7. Generating revenue: 41% of the entrepreneurs surveyed say that the biggest obstacle to generating revenue is marketing products. 8. Obtaining investment: 35% of entrepreneurs surveyed say that a lack of funding in the ecosysytem is a barrier to obtaining investment. 9. Building a team: 63% of entrepreneurs state that finding talent is a barrier for building teams. 10. Expanding: 47% of surveyed entrepreneurs say that an inability to find partners limits market expansion. Tweet this stat. Profiling these entrepreneurs: 11. Founder age: The average age of the entrepreneurs who took part in the Wamda Research Lab study is 32.5 years. Tweet this stat. 12. Number of founders: 39% of companies surveyed have 2 founders; 33% have 1 founder, 16% have 3 and 12% have 4 or more. Tweet this stat. 13. Gender: 77% of all surveyed founders are male; only 23% are female. Tweet this stat. 14. Education: 48% of entrepreneurs surveyed have a Bachelor’s degree and 40% have an advanced degree. Tweet this stat. 15. Experience abroad: 74% of surveyed companies have founders who have studied or worked abroad. Tweet this stat. 16. Resources: 78% of surveyed entrepreneurs have used their personal savings to finance their companies. Tweet this stat. Read the entire report to see more, including the Wamda Research Lab's recommendations for easing the process of entrepreneurship

QDB and SDC Launch Largest Mixed Business Incubator in the Middle East

The 20,000 square meter Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC) - the largest business incubator facility in the Middle East - was launched in Doha's industrial area today. The mixed use incubator is part of a wider public and government push to support and encourage Qatari entrepreneurs to build and grow businesses. QBIC was founded by two of Qatar's leading government institutions supporting local entrepreneurs: Qatar Development Bank ( QDB ) and the Social Development Center (SDC), member of Qatar Foundation. QBIC' goal is to develop the next 100 Million QAR companies and success stories in Qatar. QBIC empowers entrepreneurs to start and grow companies through training, mentorship, incubation, networking and investment. QBIC's objectives include developing Qatari companies through promotion of entrepreneurship and best-in-class business ethics, helping create Qatar's next-generation of successful entrepreneurs, business leaders, start-ups and scale-ups. " Qatar Development Bank believes that with the launch of QBIC comes a new milestone for entrepreneurship and the Qatari economy. I believe we are witnessing a transformation, providing entrepreneurs the resources needed to turn dreams into reality" said Mr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, the Chairman of QBIC and Chief Executive Officer of QDB . And in a speech by Ms. Amal Al Mannai, Executive Director of Social Development Center (SDC): "It was SDC's honor to have the initiative to adopt the entrepreneurship program within the youth and women societies towards encouraging them into production and business development, particularly startup and scale-up projects. We believe that these projects will strengthen the national economy, enhance income and build a better lifestyle for Qataris". "The entrepreneurship program has been initiated in 2001 and continued on a consistent growth and development pace accordingly with an accumulative scientific vision to include all technical and material support at the entire program phases. The program has provided services included entrepreneurship promotional campaign, encouragement, required training on local and international market feasibilities, emergency and technical consultations and follow up". "QBIC has been established with a budget that exceeds QR 100 million. It has been designed by implementing a modern and scientific benchmark to fulfill entrepreneurs' demands, office space, industrial workshops, and administrative and technical support. This qualifies QBIC to play an essential role to develop Qatar business sector". "We are grateful and thankful to those who have participated from SDC and QDB in QBIC success. Without the government faith and support, QBIC wouldn't have existed. Our gratitude goes to H.E Mr. Abdallah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, ex-Minister of energy and industry, and H.E Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al Sada, the Minister of energy and industry. The best gratitude goes also to SDC board members, SDC team as well to QDB top management and executives represented by QDB CEO Mr. Abdulaziz Al Khalifa for taking the full responsibility as a chairman of QBIC, my colleagues in QBIC board and the CEO of QBIC Mr. Raed Al Emadi": said Ms. Amal Al Mannai. "Our mission is to develop Qatari companies valued at 100 million QAR. QBIC provides incubator space for entrepreneurs and scale-ups to carry out their work with their teams. In addition, we provide balanced training courses that enrich both knowledge and expertise," said Mr. Raed Al Emadi, Chief Executive Officer of QBIC. As starting of operations, QBIC was keen to conduct the first batch of lean startup training for the first time in Qatar. The training was held for all entrepreneurs whom have applied to QBIC through our website www.qbic.qa and were shortlisted. The training is run by Professor Lee charm from Babson College in the United States - rated number one entrepreneurship teaching university worldwide - along with trainers from QBIC. -Ends- About QDB : Qatar Development Bank ( QDB ) is a financial entity fully owned by the government, set up by an Emiri Decree to invest in and develop local industries by supporting small and medium enterprises in Qatar. QDB aligned its strategy to correspond with the Qatar National Vision for the year 2030, to promote and facilitate development and growth of small and medium enterprises in core economic realms, resulting with long-term socioeconomic benefits to the people of Qatar. In addition to providing financial aid, the bank also offers advisory support and guidance to small and medium enterprises regarding start up, growth and expansion of their activities, aiming to establish a sustainable economic system. About SDC: The Social Development Center (SDC), part of Qatar Foundation is a nonprofit, social and development organization that focuses on supporting low-income families and community projects in Qatar. It has a longstanding commitment to bringing Qatari women into the workforce and establishing career counseling for Qatari high school and university students. The Social Development Center is one of the most successful, well-known social and developmental organizations in Qatar. In harmony with the vision of Qatar's Foundation, it was established in 1996 under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, the consort of His Highness the Emir of Qatar who is the Chairperson of Qatar Foundation. The center's mission aims at the support, development and investment of human resources through a set of programs and services that enhance family ability in Qatar for self-reliance. © Press Release 2014 © Copyright Zawya. All Rights Reserved.

pi-slice.com partners with propertyfinder.ae to fuel Micro-Entrepreneurship in the Middle East

13th March, 2014: Pi Slice, the first web-based social platform dedicated to online funding for Micro-Entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is excited to announce its partnership with propertyfinder.ae, the UAE's leading property portal. As part of the association, propertyfinder.ae and Pi Slice have launched a 'lending page' to encourage the wider community towards online micro-lending. Companies and individuals in the UAE can view a list of unique micro financed projects through the joint page and choose to provide support to the project of their choice. The link to the 'lending page' is www.pi-slice.com/en/partners/property-finder. In collaboration with the portal, Pi Slice brings a unique proposition to the MENA region, through which individuals and companies who wish to invest, are linked with MENA-based micro-finance institutions (MFIs), which, in turn, use the funds to provide micro-credit to their customers. Through this, motivated individuals and companies can help build a sustainable future for aspiring micro-entrepreneurs. "There are many micro-entrepreneurs with great skills and ideas who simply need people and organisations to believe in them and to provide them with support," said Pi Slice CEO, Genny Ghanimeh. "By providing them access to capital in a transparent and efficient manner, we look to empower people to participate in their communities and economies. Previously this was a dream, but now technology has made it a reality. By partnering with propertyfinder.ae, a company that has shown leadership, innovation and a commitment to social change, we really hope to revolutionise the 'online' entrepreneurial funding and support its landscape in the region." "It's no easy feat becoming an entrepreneur especially since one's potential is often stunted by the process of raising capital," said Michael Lahyani, CEO and Founder of propertyfinder.ae. "Dubai's an emergent hub for social enterprise and we look forward to working with Pi Slice to fill this need, nurture the entrepreneurial spirit and advance economic opportunity throughout the region." Adding that this initiative will open the door for exciting partnerships, Lahyani said," With the Expo 2020 coming up, opportunities for entrepreneurs to create sustainable businesses will grow. By combining a social mission with a sustainable business methodology, we're excited to not only help micro-entrepreneurs create self-employment opportunities but also provide jobs for other people." About propertyfinder Group of online portals Established in 2007, propertyfinder.ae, propertyfinder.qa, propertyfinder.eg, propertyfinder.com.lb, propertyfinder.bh and sarouty.ma are the leading group of property portals across the Middle East dedicated to creating the largest real estate community of buyers, sellers, renters, brokers and developers. Available in both English and Arabic, our websites provide visitors with comprehensive search facilities covering residential and commercial properties, real estate news, home advice and buying and selling guides, while agents enjoy access to the region's largest potential audience of property seekers. Consumer experience is paramount in everything we do and this is reflected in the design, content and navigation of all our portals. Our current traffic statistics show us as a leader in the industry with 900,000 visits and 120,000 enquiries per month. Visits have grown by over 105% in the last 12 months and an impressive 298% in the last two years. A winner of the 'Dubai SME 100' for the second consecutive cycle, the 2013 SMEinfo 'Online Business of the Year' and the Arabian Business Start-Up 'SME of the Year' titles and the 'Arabia Fast Growth 500' award in 2012 and with a presence in the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Lebanon, Bahrain and Morocco, the propertyfinder group is one of the fastest growing companies in the region. The Group aims to be in a total of nine countries, with a focus on the GCC and other parts of the Middle East in the coming months. www.propertyfinder.ae www.propertyfinder.qa www.propertyfinder.eg www.propertyfinder.com.lb www.propertyfinder.bh www.sarouty.ma propertyfinder.ae media enquiries Contact: Anna Lucas - Marketing & Communications Specialist anna@propertyfinder.ae Office: +971 4 454 8464 Mobile: +971 55 115 9971 About Pi Slice: Pi Slice, the first web-based social platform of online funding for Micro-Entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), is proud to announce du as its first partner, as part of the company's continuous commitment to help create jobs in MENA. For further information about Pi Slice visit: www.pi-slice.com/en

International Women’s Day: Equality through entrepreneurship

Tomorrow is International Women’s Day, which is dedicated to celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women across the globe. Last month, in Lebanon, women were not so celebrated. Lebanese Olympic skier, Jackie Chamoun, underwent scrutiny when footage of her posing topless for an Austrian calendar in 2011 leaked onto the internet, with Lebanon’s Minister of Youth and Sports going so far as to call for an investigation. In response, a massive campaign dubbed ‘stripforjackie’ turned the young woman into a social media sensation as hundreds of people began doing exactly what the campaign title implies: taking ‘selfies’ wearing almost nothing in their support of Jackie’s right to pose in whatever way she chooses. Also in February, two women, Manal Assi and Christelle Abou Shakra, were allegedly brutally killed by their husbands in two separate incidents in Lebanon. Both had suffered years of abuse at the hands of their spouses, and activists renewed their long-standing demand that the domestic violence law still pending in Parliament be passed. So people stripped off their clothes and disseminated photographs of the lost women in a short-lived battle for change and a cry for attention from the Lebanese government. So what can we take away from all this? It has become clearer than ever that the rights of women in Lebanon are a long way from being properly acknowledged and an even longer way from being fiercely protected. The root of the problem can be debated endlessly but I’d rather focus on actions that bring us women closer to being treated as equals in the Middle East. For me, entrepreneurship is a powerful starting point; it is an avenue through which women can have a real chance of achieving immense success, the kind of success that forces our dreams to be respected. I believe that it is the duty of female entrepreneurs to represent women on a wider scale by constantly innovating and fighting for our rights to be leaders in whatever field we choose. My tips for the month, tailor made for women entrepreneurs, and those wondering if they should become ones, are dedicated to women everywhere and especially to Manal and Christelle. 1. Embrace the fact that you’re female. Women and men don’t look at the world in the same way. Put simply, we’re different, and the entrepreneurship scene needs us both. So embrace the fact that you are a woman when working on or creating your next venture and channel your different thought processes in order to humanize your business and create something with the female touch. 2. Inspire by example. Imagine the number of people you can impact by setting up and operating a startup. There is much preaching about how women should be treated but not enough action. People like Zeina Saab of The Nawaya Network, Sara Helou of eTobb and Tamara Qiblawi of Knooz Room are prime examples of young female entrepreneurs who broke free from the corporate world to create businesses that are not only amazing but also have a profound social impact. 3. It doesn’t have to be a choice. I’ve always wondered how I would balance work and family in my future, being the career obsessed person that I am. I now feel I have found the ultimate solution. Women give birth and want to be there for their kids, it’s innate. What better way to handle the work-life balance then by creating something that is your own, something that allows you to make your own rules and break free from the confines of the corporate world. 4. It’s okay if you don’t know stuff. You can learn it. I talk to a lot of women who fear entering the world of entrepreneurship because they feel they don’t posses the technical know-how. Who cares? Like everything new in life, you’ll figure it out as you go along. When I compare what I knew two years ago in terms of technology (nothing) and what I know now (a lot) it’s an amazing feeling; there is no way faster way to learn than by doing. 5. Be yourself. Make sure your business embodies your personality. If you fail, then you’re lucky: you’re an entrepreneur and you can just try again. I’ve never been prouder to be an entrepreneurial woman and I hope this piece inspires female readers to join the exciting ship I’m currently on.

Almashroo3

http://m.therepublic.com/view/story/7272c1623e474697ad4b3d139ce6f428/ML--Egypt-Entrepreneurial-Economy