Google and Wamda announce partnership to foster entrepreneurs in MENA

The event series, now set to take place in more than 11 different cities in the region, aims to bring budding entrepreneurs closer to experienced mentors to discuss and solve challenges facing their startups.

Mix N'Mentor contributes to the entrepreneurship ecosystem by providing opportunities for people, businesses and communities to meet, engage and exchange ideas which ultimately result in real and measurable economic successes.

Last year's Mix N'Mentor series held events in Amman, Beirut and Dubai with hundreds of attendees at the events.

Google is set to provide various speakers and mentors at the events across the region in addition to a technological collaboration to connect to a wider audience via the use of Hangouts on Air on Google+.

"Google began as a startup in a garage and remains a startup at heart. We are committed to helping build a vibrant ecosystem for startups and enabling the next generation of entrepreneurs to be successful," stated Maha Abouelenein, Head of Communications for Google in the MENA region.

She added, "Google supports innovation & entrepreneurship both internally and externally through technology, partnerships, and programmes and by fostering a culture of innovation. Our partnership with Wamda on Mix N'Mentor is an excellent example of this type of collaboration which aims to further the efforts of the entrepreneurs and build startup communities."

Mix N'Mentor attendees will be matched with industry experts via multiple mentorship sessions in addition to fireside chats. Attending entrepreneurs and mentors are matched in breakout groups of 10 based on skills and challenges with mentors and entrepreneurs rotated to ensure maximum diversity and exposure.

The new partnership with Google for Entrepreneurs allows for more hands-on technology coaching, exposure to the latest Web and mobile tools in addition to many other cutting edge solutions.

"Wamda aims to accelerate the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Arab world. After identifying the gaps in the ecosystem, we have evolved a holistic model that includes a media arm to inspire and educate, a fund for direct investments, a think-tank to influence stakeholders, and programmes to scale our impact," said Habib Haddad. CEO of Wamda and serial entrepreneur.

"In Mix N' Mentor, we deliver hands-on mentorship to promising entrepreneurs, and we are very excited to partner with Google to scale this event across the Arab world," he added.

The first event for 2013 is set to take place in Cairo, Egypt on the 16th of March. Entrepreneurs interested in attending and becoming part of this year's Mix N'Mentor can register for the location nearest them and find out more details by visiting the web site.