Mid East conducive to entrepreneurs, says green venture capital king

"The Middle East has a very rich economy, a rapidly growing national product. The atmosphere is open to entrepreneurship and there is lots of competition," said Wintzen, who is due in Dubai this May to address 'Entrepreneurs In Dubai' - the world's biggest gathering of self-made tycoons and business leaders.

Wintzen, the man described as 'a businessman who looks like a hippie' will join a powerful line up of speakers at 'Entrepreneurs In Dubai' - the International Entrepreneurship Forum and Exhibition being organised by IIR Middle East and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment For Young Business Leaders in cooperation with Young Arab Leaders.

"Wintzen is the type of businessman Middle East start-ups and established companies can to learn from," said Jessica Sutherland, General Manager, IIR Middle East. "He has worked within major corporations, bought an ailing company and got it back on its feet and launched Ex'tent, which makes money while supporting the environmental principles which Eckart holds dear."

Looking forward to his third visit to Dubai, which, he says, he loves, Wintzen says he'll share with the business audience tips on how to double the effect of marketing with half the money.

"These will be a few real life hints for creative, low cost marketing," said Wintzen, the man who launched Ex'tent with a mission to 'help develop a world with a free market economy that is more fair for everybody and less ruinous to the planet.'

The Dutch national, who worked for 10 years for multinationals such as Philips Computer Industry and European Space Research, says entrepreneurship gives people ultimate freedom.

"Entrepreneurs have big egos, that's why they need the space, the freedom for themselves. They normally cannot tolerate bosses. Within their own space they can flourish and make money, but if money or power is the primary target, the result is normally counterproductive, as these desires distract from the path of real success," cautioned Wintzen.

The man who has named Ghandi as the person he most admires - "he showed that power doesn't necessarily mean brute force" - has some sage advice for Middle East businessmen, would-be entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.

"Don't start a business you don't really believe in," he cautions. "If you don't think you are the best partner for your client, forget it. That being said, the top three issues are, sales, sales, sales. And, does your sales and marketing differ from your competitors? Be mean to yourself and generous to your client and this will pay for itself in a very short space of time."

Wintzen, who established the information systems branch of the Dutch daughter company of American General Telephone, bought the struggling company for just US $10, renamed it BSO and 23 years later saw it thrive with 10,000 employees and offices in 75 cities across 25 countries, says a fighting spirit is necessary for business.

"We succeeded with a very strong culture of high responsibility at low levels that generated an enormous fighting spirit on the market."

And marketing, said Wintzen, is a key success factor. You can never spend too much on marketing and sales but there are zillions being spent on the wrong marketing."

Wintzen, whose Ex'tent company invests only in companies that adhere to a 'green' philosophy, says entrepreneurship is an inherent personality trait.

"Basically it is inherent, but sometimes it needs a wake up call," he said. "Real entrepreneurs either break out of corporate jobs after a while or stay on to become the boss."

Wintzen will address the second day of 'Entrepreneurs In Dubai' which will run at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from May 23-25. The 30-strong line up of regional and global business bosses who will address delegates include famed rags-to-riches icons such as Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the founder of no-frills airline EasyJet and Body Shop initiator Dame Anita Roddick.

Running alongside the conference will be an exhibition of products and services which will bring together small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the providers who supply them, investors and venture capitalists, aspiring entrepreneurs and industry experts.

"This will be a unique showcase of new business ideas," said Sutherland. "It will also spotlight the companies and organisations whose products and service support and sustain the development of SMEs and young entrepreneurs."

'Entrepreneurs In Dubai' has won headline sponsorship from Shell and Deloitte and has attracted AME Info, Flip Media, BBC World and Gulf Business, Arabian Radio Network and Dubai Radio Network as Media Partners.