28/09/2024
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28/09/2024
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KUWAIT CITY, Sept 28: The Zain Great Idea (ZGI) accelerator program’s first phase has kicked-off. The bootcamp witnessed great turnout from idea owners and entrepreneurs to learn the most essential business and startup management skills, featuring intensive workshops, training programs, and one-on-one mentoring sessions, aims to upskill entrepreneurs and startup owners, and is facilitated by a group of experts from local, regional, and international academic institutions.
The all-new Zain Great Idea accelerator program recently launched in strategic partnership with Rasameel Investment Company and continues its decade-long mission of opening doors to sustainable growth and investment opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators in Kuwait.
Prior to the bootcamp’s kick-off, the new participants joined a special orientation session, where they were introduced to the program's plan, objectives, and stages, as well as the schedule for workshops, mentoring sessions, and discussions during the bootcamp, which is one of the program's key stages.
The bootcamp is a significant phase of ZGI, lasting three weeks and providing participants with a wealth of information and essential skills for the success of any tech company. This is done through interactive workshops, training programs, one-on-one mentoring sessions, and discussions with founders and executives, all aimed at sharing experiences and helping participants find the best opportunities for growth.
The camp’s content is delivered by a group of trainers, specialists, and experts from leading local, regional, and global academic institutions, including Prof. Paris de I’Etraz, an IE Business School Professor with a PhD on elements of emotional intelligence in the workplace. He has 20 years of experience in investment banking and venture capital, and holds the position of MD of IE Venture Labs, the largest startup accelerator in Europe. Paris founded multiple startups and supported others in the field of gaming, solar power, technology, and CRM Banking software.
Also joining the bootcamp is Prof. Mike Grandinetti, an active Professor in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, human-centric design and digital marketing. He has started and spent his entire career in the world’s most leading innovation clusters running over 200 Hackathons and actively accelerated several hundred startups at Brown, Harvard and MIT.
In addition, the program features Gaelle Bou Abdo, a successful serial entrepreneur specializing in HR and organizational development. With expertise in consumer behavior and market research, complemented by her certification as a digital marketing professional, she brings a unique blend of skills to her work. As the Head of Innovation at Nestlé MENA, Gaelle focuses on developing new products, creating innovative business models, and streamlining processes to drive significant business outcomes. In addition, Gaelle mentors startups and scale-ups around the world. She is also an Adjunct Professor at IE Business School in Spain.
Also joining the bootcamp is Noorhan Al Zann, Founder & CEO of Noor Coaching and Consultancy. She’s a CFA Charter holder with an MBA focused on sustainable finance. She’s been a mentor and investment advisor for over 450 startups in 6 countries and enjoys a career of over 12 years in financial services focusing on treasury & investments. Noorhan also has 8+ years of experience as a Senior Lecturer (GCC) on Banking & Investment topics.
The bootcamp is also set to feature other experts joining from the Applied Innovation Institute, a non-profit thinktank from Silicon Valley focused on accelerating innovation and empowering entrepreneurs. In addition, a number of sessions will be facilitated by experts from Architech Solutions, the Kuwait-based technology consultancy firm, helping participants with technology consulting, online business strategy, product development, digital marketing, user experience consulting, and more.
For more than 14 years, Zain Great Idea has been a unique success story, establishing itself as one of the most impactful business accelerators locally and regionally. It has provided numerous opportunities for hundreds of ambitious entrepreneurs and startups, connecting many with leading tech companies and organizations in places like Silicon Valley, to gain first-hand experience.
Through this program, Zain aims to empower Kuwait’s tech startup ecosystem and foster an innovation-driven environment that creates tangible economic and social impact. This step also translates the company’s strategic plans as a business that seeks promising opportunities for diversification and sustainable growth in a highly competitive market. Additionally, Zain may acquire shares in the ZGI startups to boost their potential and commercialization drive.
