Page 77 - INVESTOPIA ENGLISH PR REPORT FEBRUARY - MARCH 2025

In a session titled "Accelerating Future: Transforming Growth through AI and Emerging
Technologies," key 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), discussed the role of accelerators and incubators in
supporting AI-driven and advanced technology startups. The panel explored financing
strategies, expansion opportunities, and emerging market trends in sustainable technologies.

Future of Technology Entrepreneurship

Another session titled "Coming of Age: Technology and Entrepreneurship Are Changing the
Face of MENA" discussed the transformations of emerging markets and the role of innovation
and entrepreneurship in reshaping the region’s economic landscape. It also reviewed success
stories, challenges, and future opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Innovations Leading the Future of Technology

A session titled "Crimson Founders Demo Session: Startups with Founders from MIT and
Harvard" reviewed the projects of 6 leading startups founded by MIT and Harvard graduates,
where the founders presented innovative solutions for artificial intelligence, energy,
biotechnology, financial technology, government and security.

The session was attended by entrepreneurs and investors, including Arya Bolourfrushan,
Founder of Applied AI; Sebastian Manay, Founder of Amplified Industries; Gabriel Levesque
Tremblay, Founder of Heximbio; David Brown, Founder of Helix Carbon; Tim Cargol,
Founder of Spectrohm, Inc.; Leo Menduk, Founder of ML Tech. Anousheh Kalantari, Founder
of Crimson Founders, moderated the discussion, which considered future trends in these sectors
and the role of innovation in reshaping the global economy.

Closed Session ‘Fast Forward Challenge’

The event organized a closed session titled ‘DHL Forward Challenge,’ which showcased its
winners. The challenge is a distinctive program from DHL to support startups in the logistics
sector. The session included an interactive dialogue about innovations and strategies that are
reshaping the sector’s future, with a focus on digital transformation, operational efficiency, and
advanced technology solutions.

Irina Albanese, Head of Innovation Center in the Middle East and Africa at DHL; Anjan Kumar,
Co-Founder and CEO of Greendzine; Somaya El Sherbini, Co-Founder and CEO of Opus
Talent Analytics; Ben Kloss, Director of Plug and Play; Daniel Lawrie, CEO of Udelv; and
Ritukar Vijay, Co-Founder and CEO of Ottonomy, attended the session.

Sessions on day 2 of the Future100 event

The session “Funding the Future: Innovative Models for SME Finance” addressed how SMEs
can obtain the necessary financing to benefit from advanced technologies. The speakers also
discussed the importance of technology in simplifying financing processes, how to integrate
strategic partnerships to create a more comprehensive and dynamic financing system, and the
implications of this on supporting the financing of these companies. The session was attended
by Farooq Siddiqui, Head of Projects at SC Ventures; Francesco Velea, CEO of Vasanara
Capital; and moderated by Anthony O’Sullivan, Managing Partner of Ernst & Young in the
UAE.