Page 41 - SAMENA Trends - September-October 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

entrepreneurs with venture capital firms have already finished preparing the most role played by private sector organizations
and business partners to help them put a essential parts of their businesses and in supporting social and economic
steady first step in the business world. I have no need to take part in the bootcamp sustainability projects. The company is
look forward to an exciting experience for that covers the essentials and basics of committed to printing a positive impact
everyone with our seventh season, and building startups. So, this year, they have the through all its activities, and this has led
wish you all the best of luck.” Al Roudhan chance to skip this session and save their it to embrace the most influential topics in
concluded. Last year, Zain celebrated 10 time for other more advanced sessions that the community, perhaps most importantly
years of Zain Great Idea as one of the most are more suitable to their needs and level. the support of youth, entrepreneurship,
successful projects under the umbrella This year, ZGI will also focus on regional and innovation, not only in Kuwait, but
of its Innovation and Entrepreneurship expansion through unique programs held across the entire region. ZGI offers a
strategy. Investments in ZGI startups are throughout MENA like Riyadh, Dubai, Abu refreshed opportunity for local talents and
well over KWD 6 million (USD 20m) to this Dhabi, and Cairo. These programs are set the region’s entrepreneurial community.
date. 30% of ZGI alumni now own thriving to cover crucial topics like establishing and Throughout six successful editions, the
and active businesses to this day across accelerating startups, communicating with program has empowered, trained, and
local and regional markets, and 40% of these investors and funds, building teams and invested in hundreds of creative and driven
businesses have raised capital. Throughout brands, one-on-one consultancy sessions, Kuwaiti and Arab youth, of which many now
a decade, ZGI has empowered, trained, and enriching innovation, challenges facing own thriving and active Small and Medium-
invested in over 1,500 passionate Kuwaiti entrepreneurs in today’s markets, local and sized Enterprises (SMEs) to this day in local
and Arab young people, whom many of regional success stories, and much more. and regional markets. Zain is well aware
which attended the event to witness a new ZGI 7 is also set to offer a new win-win of the crucial role played by private sector
chapter of the ZGI story. Zain learned a lot concept that serves both entrepreneurs organizations in supporting social and
from previous seasons and heard what and fresh graduates. Zain will host a economic sustainability projects. Springing
ZGI alumni had to say about how to further special career fair-like event that links ZGI from its growing commitment towards
refine the program year after year. And so, participants with students and graduates of practicing its social responsibility, the
this year the company is offering greater various studies. The entrepreneurs will have company is committed to printing a positive
flexibility and more freedom for every an invaluable opportunity to introduce their impact through all its activities. This has led
participant to take part in the sessions businesses, attract local talents, and build Zain to embrace the most influential issues
and programs that best suit their schedule their future teams, while graduates get a in the community, including the support of
and unique business needs. For example, chance to be a part of the next big success youth, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
some relatively advanced entrepreneurs story. Zain strongly believes in the crucial

41 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022