StartUp Academy focuses on angel investors and venture capitalists

The forthcoming Arabian business StartUp Academy will examine the differences between angel investors and venture capitalists and how they contribute to the UAE’s start-up ecosystem.

The event takes place at the JW Marriott Marqus hotel in Business Bay, Dubai, from 8.30am on Wednesday, 20 May.

Offering opportunities to network and meet industry experts, the breakfast workshop will host as speakers Elissa Freiha and Chantalle Dumonceaux, co-founders of women-only angel group WOMENA, and Dr. Philip Boigner, Vice-President of Investments at Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA).

With the list of the stakeholders of the UAE’s start-up ecosystem increasing, local and international angel investors and venture capitalists, have been having more of an impact on the success of local start-ups.

The speakers of this month’s Academy, organised in cooperation with RAK Free Trade Zone and Mashreq Bank, will advise on how to get in touch with angel investors and venture capitalists within the region, and how a start-up founder can distinguish who is the right investor for him or her.

Elissa Freiha and Chantalle Dumonceaux will kick off the event by providing an overview of the current angel investment market in the region, and explain what start-up founders can expect from a professional and reliable angel investor.

WOMENA was founded in November 2014 with the aim of bringing informed and streamlined investing through an organised and professionally-managed angel group in order to unlock women-managed local funds and foster the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

More than a hundred of women have already become part of their United Arab Angels network, and the co-founders have also started offering an educational platform on angel investing.

Following a number of their monthly meetings during which local start-ups pitch to investors, WOMENA has successfully facilitated an investment for the two Dubai-based start-ups – Melltoo and AlemHealth.

After a short networking break, Dr. Philip Boigner will present the features of the regional venture capital industry and advise attendees on the basis of his rich industry know-how gained through his work across Europe, Australia and USA.

Since joining DSOA, Dr. Boigner has undertaken the management of the complete cycle of direct investments of the Authority, in particular equity investments ranging from start-ups to sizable private equity transactions.

To register for this event and receive information about future Academies, please contact Amanda Elisha at amanda.elisha@itp.com.

The Academy will return after The Holy Month of Ramadan, with the following session scheduled for Wednesday, 22 July, 2015.