ABAN hosts fourth annual entrepreneur - investor matchmaking event

The event, held on 20 October at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and covered exclusively by CNBC, ABAN's media partner, spotlighted three aspiring start-ups including White Smile, a project specializing in professional teeth whitening, oral detoxification, and cleansing therapies; Chipmunk, a franchise of an eclectic range of baby products from Belgium; and Khayal, an Egyptian game production company..

ABAN's matchmaking events offer entrepreneurial ventures in the MENA region an opportunity to showcase their businesses and connect with high net worth investors seeking start-up investment opportunities.

The affluent investors, termed angel investors, provide capital for business start-ups, typically in exchange for ownership equity.

ABAN's partnership with the Young Arab Leaders in hosting the matchmaking event reiterated its endeavour to spotlight new business ventures and innovative opportunities offered by dynamic entrepreneurs.

YAL is an association comprising high-achieving, ambitious local business people, keen to maintain strong local networks and promote regional businesses.

H.H. Sultan Al-Qassemi, Chairman of YAL-UAE Chapter, said:

"Young Arab Leaders has been established in order to empower the youth of the Arab world. YAL has previously participated in several entrepreneurship empowering activities such as the Arab Business Challenge in conjunction with the Arab Business Angels Network. The United Nations Development Program 2005 Report on Arab Youth states Arabs in the 15-24 age group represents the largest in the region. It also stresses on the importance of education and investment in entrepreneurial projects across the region. It is in this context that the UAE chapter of the Young Arab Leaders and ABAN held this joint event to synergise their network and allow maximum exposure for high-potential projects."

Walid Hanna, CEO of ABAN, said:
"ABAN is pleased to be part of the growth of the region's economic and commercial future. SMEs form the cornerstone of major economies, and by offering exciting opportunities for the region's aspiring entrepreneurs, we serve as a catalyst for continued growth and stability in the Middle East region."

In the past year, ABAN has signed up with several leading regional and international organisations to pool resources and promote entrepreneurialism, innovation and knowledge creation in the region.

Hanna added: "The partnerships that ABAN has forged with London Business Angels, Microsoft Corp, Young Arab Leaders, and the British Business Group have proved critical in helping us maximise awareness throughout the investor community, thereby increasing our deal flows."

Recently, ABAN joined forces with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation to foster entrepreneurship among women across the Arab region.

ABAN has also collaborated with Dubai Internet City, one of the world's largest managed ICT clusters and a member of TECOM Investments, to source new entrepreneurial ventures in the high-growth technology sector for further developing the region as a knowledge-based economy.

In addition, ABAN has partnered with Bader Group to support the establishment of a business angels networks in Lebanon.

It has also signed an MoU with the Al Ahli Holding Group (AAHG) to promote developmental, cross-learning relationships between Emirati youth and the youth of other countries to help groom competent leaders for the future.

ABAN offers a wide range of benefits to its members ranging from advice and consultancy to financial support and training for selected entrepreneurs.

ABAN also supports proposal pitching to investors, and facilitates collaboration and syndication among investors to maximise investment opportunities.

The Arab Business Angels Network is scheduled to host its next matchmaking event on 15 December for introducing yet another batch of entrepreneurs to regional investors.