Pitch Perfect: Dubai Startup Hub Hosts Emirati Pitch Training Workshop Under the guidance of entrepreneur, investor and lecturer Ahmed Abdulwahab, the participants received real-world feedback on their ideas and valuable advice on how to upgrade, scale or fine tune their innovations to appeal to investors.
By Megha Merani
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It's not about whether you win or lose- it's about how you pitch.
That was the goal of the Emirati Pitch Training workshop held by Dubai Startup Hub at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce headquarters in July, with budding entrepreneurs from across the UAE coming together for the four-day event to learn how to best present their startup story and business idea to potential investors, partners and clients in future.
Under the guidance of entrepreneur, investor and lecturer Ahmed Abdulwahab, the participants received real-world feedback on their ideas and valuable advice on how to upgrade, scale or fine tune their innovations to appeal to investors. More importantly, they learnt how to back their proposals with research and financial projections, which in turn empowered the entrepreneurs to boldly and clearly state exactly what they want from backers.
A sneak peek into our day-1 "Emirati Pitch Training' workshop #happeningnow at @DubaiChamber headquarters. In this series that will take place for 4 days, CEO of Next Arabia FZE, is discussing ways to prepare and pitch a killer business presentation for our young entrepreneurs pic.twitter.com/ShFQP79GCd
— Dubai Startup Hub (@DubaiStartupHub) July 16, 2018
The workshop motivated aspiring entrepreneurs as young as 18 with early stage entrepreneurial ideas to present their innovations and test them for customer validation. The final pitches were then judged by a panel of senior Dubai Chamber personnel, including Essa Al Zaabi, Senior Vice-President, Institutional Support Sector of Dubai Chamber, Natalia Sycheva, Manager of the Entrepreneurship Strategy department, and others.
Related: Dubai Chamber's Essa Al Zaabi On Why You Should Launch Your Startup In Dubai
From asking about expected returns and break even points, to questioning logistics feasibility, to offering advice on future scalability and diversification, the judges both grilled and guided presenters on how to strengthen their models and make them a successful Dubai startup story.
While not a competition, the most promising startups at more advanced stages of their journey earned special and thoughtful perks from the Dubai Chamber to give them a stepping stone to faster progress.
The biggest perk – free office space for a year located at Dubai Chamber headquarters– was won by cultural platform, Meet The Locals. Presented by co-founder Khadija Behzad, Meet the Locals was also one of the award-winning startups at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival in 2017.
Next up is Khadija Behzad, presenting her startup, Meet The Locals, to the @DubaiStartupHub team. (Note: hers was one of the award-winning startups at @sharjahef last year!) Check them out on their Instagram: @meetthelocalsuae. https://t.co/molhsl9GNf #entrepreneurs #uae #dubai pic.twitter.com/MjgK8nqLUJ
— Aby Sam Thomas (@thisisaby) July 19, 2018
The platform connects expats and tourists in the UAE to local citizens so they can interact and learn about each others' cultures with respect and understanding. It offers various tour opportunities to enjoy famed Emirati hospitality, authentic Emirati cultural experiences, along with open and honest conversations with UAE nationals.
Related: Doing Business In The UAE: What You Need To Know About Local Partners
Mobile application Mnawrah and e-commerce startup Baaqah were awarded an opportunity to showcase their respective platforms at GITEX Technology Week this year. Mnawrah is the brainchild of Emirati artist Aysha Al Hemrani. The mobile application is aimed at bringing back the nostalgia of customized online greeting cards. However, by using the app, you'll be able to enjoy and personalize the artwork of the independent Emirati artist for different occasions like weddings, meet up invites or even a simple post just to say good morning.
Great seeing Emirati #entrepreneurs showcase their concepts here at @dubaichamber today after a four-day pitching training workshop conducted by @DubaiStartupHub. First up is @Mnawrah--check out their handle on Instagram too! https://t.co/cmhfT9mi3M #UAE #Dubai #innovation pic.twitter.com/WiQ9GZi527
— Aby Sam Thomas (@thisisaby) July 19, 2018
Meanwhile, if you've ever been frustrated with searching for which florist delivers in the location and timeframe at a reasonable price, then Baaqah is for you. Founded by AlReem AlAmmari, Baaqah literally translates to a package or a bouquet in Arabic. The e-commerce platform brings all the UAE's florists together in one place and let's you compare and choose before your order and have it delivered at your convenience.
Now presenting at @DubaiStartupHub: AlReem AlAmmari presents https://t.co/fNO3SYmQte, an e-commerce platform that brings together the UAE's florists in one place. And yes, they're on Instagram too: @baaqah! (P.S. After Meet The Locals, here's another @sheraasharjah startup!) #uae pic.twitter.com/jMR1fUKBdX
— Aby Sam Thomas (@thisisaby) July 19, 2018
Soul searching startup Visoul secured media coverage and support facilitated by the Dubai Chamber – a perk that will help the startup reach to intrigue and inform a wider audience. For anyone who has ever asked the question "who am I?" and attempted to go on a soul search, Visoul is designed to help you do just that. The "Visualizing the Invisible Workshop-In-A-Box" kit will give you the tools you need to find yourself and move on to the next chapter of your life.
Feeling like you're stuck in life? Check out https://t.co/XAeJ4QWXx3, whose products can help you find your way forward. The enterprise founded by Osama Natto is now being presented at @DubaiStartupHub--check @visualizingtheinvisible on Instagram! #uae #startups #Entrepreneurs pic.twitter.com/G9l9oU9pX9
— Aby Sam Thomas (@thisisaby) July 19, 2018
Founded and developed by Osama Natto, this comprehensive kit includes step-by-step instructions, art supplies, diagrams, symbol cards, and a range of other thought-provoking tools that allow you to exercise your creativity and discover what your soul truly wants.
But this was not all- Dubai Startup Hub also offered to keep supporting all of the entrepreneurs and startups that were a part of the workshop, which included enterprises like Meekd, Green Life, and more. Keep an eye out for all of these names- these shining pitches could well turn into the next big startup story to come out of the UAE!
This article was originally published on Dubai Startup Hub and has been reposted on Entrepreneur Middle East based on a mutual agreement between the websites.
Related: Dubai Startup Hub To Host Board of Directors Simulation Training For Entrepreneurs
