A frenzy of entrepreneurial activity occurring in Dubai is solidifying the emirate's status as the Silicon Valley of the Middle East, and has attracted a global organisation that fast-tracks the growth of businesses in emerging markets.
Endeavor Global, which is set to open an office in Dubai for the Middle East and North Africa region, chooses a select portfolio of "high-impact" entrepreneurs and provides them access to a network of seasoned business leaders who act as strategic advisers, mentors and sometimes even investors. It also helps recruit business school students and professional services firms to work on entrepreneurial projects at low costs.
The organisation has partnered with Abraaj Capital, a private equity group based in Dubai, for the venture.
"The Middle East is really one of the hotbeds of entrepreneurial activity," says Linda Rottenberg, the co-founder and chief executive of Endeavor Global.
"A support office that could marry a lot of the investors and [business] networks that come through Dubai seems to mirror what we have found in Silicon Valley and New York City. This is an entry point where I hope to service entrepreneurs not only from the region, but in the UAE and GCC," says Ms Rottenberg.
In the UAE, specifically, efforts to boost the overall number of small to medium-sized businesses over the years have largely focused on the creation of new start-ups.
Many of the services offered through Abu Dhabi's Khalifa Fund provide Emirati entrepreneurs with start-up capital or advisory services focused on selecting a business idea and evaluating its feasibility.
A number of universities throughout the country have also created competitions that reward students who come up with business plans for new start-ups.
But there is also a growing effort to expand smaller firms into medium or even large-scale enterprises.
Last week, the economic development agency Dubai SME launched an initiative to teach small firms that are already established about how to create proper corporate governance structures. The goal is to help these businesses survive for the long-term by becoming more attractive to banks and outside investors, who might provide funding for expansion opportunities.
Endeavor Global, which opened a branch in Lebanon last year and plans to open one in Saudi Arabia during the first quarter of next year, customises its services depending on what an entrepreneur most needs. A larger business looking to expand into international markets might be provided with high-level strategic mentorship, while a smaller company could gain assistance with targeted employee recruitment or marketing initiatives.
Yet there is a downside when it comes to Endeavor because there are certain kinds of entrepreneurs that the organisation will not assist. "Endeavor does not work with start-ups or those writing business plans for future companies," says Carmen Saad, the managing director of Endeavor Jordan.
"Endeavor is there for the ones who want to go big."
To access Endeavor's network of experts, applicants must first pass a selection process that can take 12 to 18 months to complete and includes interviews with both local and regional panellists who scrutinise a company's strategy, growth potential and financials.
Hiba Jammal, the managing partner of El Matbakh, a full-service corporate lunch caterer, made the cut through Endeavor Egypt.
"It's a challenge when you're your own boss to keep a bird's eye perspective," Ms Jammal said.
nparmar@thenational.ae
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
World Cup warm-up fixtures
Friday, May 24:
- Pakistan v Afghanistan (Bristol)
- Sri Lanka v South Africa (Cardiff)
Saturday, May 25
- England v Australia (Southampton)
- India v New Zealand (The Oval, London)
Sunday, May 26
- South Africa v West Indies (Bristol)
- Pakistan v Bangladesh (Cardiff)
Monday, May 27
- Australia v Sri Lanka (Southampton)
- England v Afghanistan (The Oval, London)
Tuesday, May 28
- West Indies v New Zealand (Bristol)
- Bangladesh v India (Cardiff)
Scorecard
Scotland 220
K Coetzer 95, J Siddique 3-49, R Mustafa 3-35
UAE 224-3 in 43,5 overs
C Suri 67, B Hameed 63 not out
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Biography
Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related
Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.
Family: Wife and three children.
Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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LA LIGA FIXTURES
Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)
Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5