Page 132 - MAJRA PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025

3/4/25, 10:43 AM Home | Emirates News Agency
Sarah Shaw highlighted that companies within the initiative were among the first to receive the Sustainable

Impact Project Seal from Majra, recognising their commitment to sustainability and social impact. She noted a
43 percent increase in sustainability and environment-focused startup applications under Future100, reflecting

the maturity of the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and alignment with the UAE Green Agenda 2030.

The event included a session titled "Cisco Digital Innovation Award: Recognising Excellence in Innovation,"
showcasing Cisco’s Product Innovation Lab, launched in partnership with the Ministry of Economy to enhance

SMEs’ capabilities through innovative solutions. The session featured Bassam Shaker, General Manager of
Creative Advanced Technologies.

Another session, "Accelerating Future: Transforming Growth through AI and Emerging Technologies,"

featured industry leaders, including Ahmed Alwan, CEO of Hub71, Mohammed Al Blooshi, CEO of Dubai
International Financial Centre Innovation Hub, and Mansoor Jafar, CEO of Abu Dhabi Global Academy.

Discussions focused on the role of accelerators and incubators in supporting AI-driven and advanced

technology startups, exploring financing strategies, expansion opportunities, and emerging market trends in
sustainable technologies.

A session titled "Coming of Age: Technology and Entrepreneurship Are Changing the Face of MENA"

examined the transformation of emerging markets and the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in
reshaping the region’s economic landscape, highlighting success stories, challenges, and future opportunities.

The "Crimson Founders Demo Session: Startups with Founders from MIT and Harvard" showcased six
leading startups founded by MIT and Harvard graduates, with presentations on artificial intelligence, energy,

biotechnology, financial technology, and security solutions. Entrepreneurs and investors, including Arya

Bolourfrushan, Founder of Applied AI, and David Brown, Founder of Helix Carbon, attended the session,
moderated by Anousheh Kalantari, Founder of Crimson Founders.

A closed session, "DHL Forward Challenge," highlighted its winners, with an interactive discussion on
innovations and strategies reshaping the logistics sector through digital transformation and advanced

technology solutions. Participants included Irina Albanese, Head of Innovation Center in the Middle East and

Africa at DHL, and Anjan Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of Greendzine.
On the second day, a session titled "Funding the Future: Innovative Models for SME Finance" addressed how

SMEs can secure financing for advanced technologies. Speakers discussed how technology simplifies

financing processes and the role of strategic partnerships in creating a dynamic financing ecosystem. The
session featured Farooq Siddiqui, Head of Projects at SC Ventures, and Francesco Velea, CEO of Vasanara

Capital.

Another discussion, "Empowered and Enabled: Women Entrepreneurs Driving Impact," explored the role of
women in entrepreneurship and the balance between professional and family life. Participants included Maha

Al Gergawi, Vice President of the Business Community Support Sector at Dubai Chambers, and Salama Al

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