Conference for web entrepreneurs brings positive message for local startups

Sponsored by Dubai Internet City, Submit 2009 is the first event ever for Middle East web entrepreneurs and professionals to focus on the creation and launch of new web ventures. The event takes place in Dubai on April 8th and 9th.

"There has never been a better time to launch a new Web venture in Europe, the Middle East and Africa," said Ryan Carson, Founder and CEO of UK-based web consultancy Carsonified, who is speaking at Submit 2009 this week.

"There's a common perception that all Internet startups have a better chance of succeeding if they move to Silicon Valley and whilst this is certainly true for some new ventures, it's not the whole story. The level of support and resources available for Internet startups outside the USA is increasing all the time and if you have a great idea and some business sense there is no reason you shouldn't be able to build a successful web venture based in Dubai or elsewhere in the region."

"Submit 2009 addresses the whole gamut of startup issues from design, technical basics and funding through to usability, user communities and marketing," said co-organiser and Argaam.com co-founder Tariq Al Asiri. "Our speaker panel will offer valuable insights into entrepreneurship, technology, marketing and design from international and regional perspectives."

In addition to Carson, Al Barazi and Al Asiri, Submit 2009's impressive line-up of speakers includes Simone Brunozzi, Amazon.com's web services evangelist, Robert Hoekman, Jr. founder of Miskeeto and author of the Amazon bestseller Designing the Obvious, Ray Milhem, Director and Chairman of the Board, AdvancedIO and Mohamed Marwen Meddah, founder of Startup Arabia. A key theme of the conference is to provide web entrepreneurs and corporate web directors insight into ideas and strategy development necessary to create a truly successful web venture.

"People are launching web apps and new Internet ventures all over the world and in many different languages," added Carson. "Web entrepreneurs around the world are just as excited and just as motivated as their counterparts in Silicon Valley and, as the Internet continues to develop, there are more and more opportunities for web applications and new ventures developed outside of the US market."

Submit is also expected to provide a great opportunity for delegates to network with other web entrepreneurs and professionals from around the region and share news, knowledge and thinking on innovations and developments in the region's Internet industry.

"It's an exciting time for Internet entrepreneurs in the Arab world," said Rida Al Barazi, conference organizer and partner at Dubai-based web development company SpinBits. "And this conference is totally focused on helping to energize opportunities for entrepreneurial ventures in the region, including both startups and those under the corporate umbrella."