The Enterprise Agility Forum 2017 presented by du tackles how corporates can better support the MENA startup ecosystem

Dubai, UAE, 5 December 2017: du is continuing the conversation around how corporate entities in the Middle East and North Africa can encourage a more supportive ecosystem for SMEs and startups, via its participation and support, at the annual Entrepreneur Enterprise Agility Forum – presented by du – which is being held at the St. Regis in Dubai. Hany Aly, du’s Executive Vice President of Enterprise Business, delivered a key note presentation titled ‘Success in a time of rapid transformation’. The Entrepreneur Enterprise Agility Forum 2017, now in its fourth year, is an open-forum session for SMEs to interact with both large enterprises, and a diverse range of other start-ups, in order to generate the exchange of peer-to-peer learning.   

Fahad Al Hassawi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, explains: “At du we believe in supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs in their journey of growing their business, by helping them to navigate and leverage latest technologies. The SME segment, and startup scene is very vibrant, and as such we have tailored our enterprise solutions to fit their needs, as they are an important part of our society. By helping to achieve a well-rounded approach to promoting business for the UAE, we are creating a prosperous society for many years to come, encouraging a new breed of entrepreneurs that will continue with a more supportive business ecosystem.”  

This year the panel sessions are focusing on the first steps of entrepreneurship, and how those just starting their journey can be supported by larger companies. The first talk, entitled, Rolling with the Punches: Tackling Obstacles (and Failures) in Entrepreneurship, will discuss how to get through the teething pains associated with a new business. These teething pains often put many off of becoming entrepreneurs, and so the next talk, Walking the Talk: Encouraging Entrepreneurship in MENA (For Real) will explain how corporates can help encourage all kinds of people to take the plunge and develop a startup or SME. This is furthered in the final panel, From MENA to the World: Funding Innovations that can go Global, which will talk about how enterprises can startup funding initiatives to help stimulate the entrepreneurial market in the MENA region. 

Furthermore, the panelists will be discussing the various challenges for corporate enterprises looking to support the SME and startup sectors. Hany Aly mentioned how du supports both SMEs and startups, and is at the forefront of enabling digital transformation for UAE businesses.