Our start-up pitch event – the ‘Future Falcons’ – is already causing a stir in the entrepreneur community and now the prize pot has more than doubled in value with the edition of a new judge to impress.
The event takes place on January 26 at the JW Marriott Marquis, ahead of the evening’s glittering Arabian Business Awards ceremony at the Etihad Museum, where the winner will be announced on stage amid a host of industry Oscars.
Already, in partnership with our first ‘Falcon’ – global entrepreneur Gokhan Baykam – we’d announced a prize package worth up to AED100,000 for one start-up who can impress our panel of Falcons – entrepreneurs and investors, who know how to pick a winner.
And now our second ‘Falcon’ has landed. Alastair Lidel, the founder and CEO of The Private Investment Group. A Dubai based company that owns businesses in a number of different verticals ranging from Software Development, Investor Management, Social Media Applications, Recruitment and Events.
Having started his career in London in the Private Wealth sector Alastair made the transition to open new markets in Zurich, Geneva and Monaco. Working alongside many of the leading funds and families in Europe to ensure their wealth creation and support of innovation go hand in hand.
Expanding to the Middle East in 2018 The Private Investment Group is now one of the leading groups that has built a privately owned ecosystem that can support incoming companies from Europe, the US and Asia not just from a consulting perspective but also from technology, PR and business development sectors. Working with governments, private and public wealth in over 50 countries globally, Alastair has one of the most enviable networks globally.
From the Private Investment Group, the winner of the contest will receive a partnership at its Unite Dubai (taking place on February 17th and 18th) to meet with over 150 Private Wealth Groups from the region plus two months’ consulting from the group’s team to support with strategy and investment. A prize valued at AED130,000.
That’s added to the involvement of Gokhan. This Falcon is based between Monaco, Milan and Dubai, and is an accomplished and successful global entrepreneur and investor with more than 20 years of experience in leadership roles in tech, commodities, renewable energy sectors and luxury. He’s putting on the table AED25,000 of his own money, plus a commitment to mentor the winner across the year. This is being matched by Arabian Business, taking the prize purse to AED50,000 in funding, with the ITP Media Group further adding AED50,000 of media support for the successful venture.
That takes the total prize pot to a value of AED230,000. To enter, simply fill in the form below with a brief synopsis of your idea. You also have the option to upload a 30-second video elevator pitch. A selection of these may be published on arabianbusiness.com (though publication is no guarantee of shortlisting for the final).
Finalists will be invited to pitch their idea live at our daytime event to the panel of Falcons, who will then pick their winner. More Falcons will be revealed soon.
As the UAE strides boldly into the next 50 years of its inspiring journey, the Arabian Business Awards are returning to honour businesses that shaped the Emirates’ success story and to champion the innovators who will help write its next chapter.
On January 26, at the Etihad Museum in Dubai, built on the spot where the United Arab Emirates was founded, the Arabian Business Awards 2021 will look back at the last 50 years, and capture the excitement for the decades ahead with a day of insights and an evening of celebration.
In our first industry ‘Oscars’, to be presented at a spectacular gala dinner, a host of honours are up for grabs with 10 industries being awarded, two winners from each category – with one marking five decades of success and one honouring the innovators of the future.
An editorial board from across ITP’s industry verticals and Arabian Business have handpicked finalists for these categories. To learn more about the full list click here. The glittering event will also feature a keynote speaker of international standing.
For enquiries about sponsorship opportunities, please get in touch with our commercial director Saraswati Agarwal at saraswati.agarwal@itp.com.
Early Bird table bookings are now open for the Arabian Business Awards 2021. Book your table for the most important evening in the UAE’s industry calendar. The booking closes on January 13. Visit the Arabian Business Awards 2021 microsite for more information about the event.
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