It takes a whole lot more than real estate complexes or even large markets to foster startups and entrepreneurship. It takes an entire eco-system. Everything has to converge; business, government, education, research & development, even social life such as outings etc. Your entire surrounding must have "the vibe", so you can flourish and feel you are in your element; just like a fish in water.

And what place on earth has been better in providing this than Silicon Valley? Whether you've been there or heard stories, you know what Silicon Valley is all about. After all, it's the birthplace of companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Google, HP, Intel, and basically every other company that made a dent in the tech-world!

This segment of STARTUP VILLAGE ARABIA will talk about why all these companies had such a great head-start; how their surroundings influenced their businesses, the role academia played in all of that, how the local government made sure companies can grow beyond their wildest dreams, and how it all came together to provide for an eco-system that almost guaranteed success for anyone who was serious about starting a business.

Entrepreneurs and startups are usually great at one thing; this one particular product or service they set out to build. And that's a great place to start. But it won't suffice to transform your startup into a global mega corporation. For that, you will need an entire suite of skills that might be unfamiliar to you.

As the CEO of your startup, you're not expected to be an expert accountant. But you've got to understand the basics of reading your financials and interpreting what these numbers mean, right? At the same token, you're not going to spend hours on marketing your solution digitally, but you nonetheless must understand how markets are segmented, targeted, and what communication channels are best for those, right?

To help you become the best you can be, we will put you through a series of crash-course sessions that pump as much information and understanding about critical business skills into you as we possibly can. You'll still want to learn more after that, but we'll make sure to set you on the right path and direct you then where you can get more to satisfy your information-hungry mind.

We all have one or more role model we aspire to; someone we admire greatly for what she or he have accomplished in their life. The greatness they achieved, and the impact they made on so many lives. They inspire us, and they drive us to want to outperform ourselves and become our own better versions.

We can't guarantee that we will feature your particular role model, but what we promise is to put you in a room with a few people who started just like you, endured what you are enduring, and built what you are striving to build. Successful people who come from backgrounds and environments you can relate to. People who will inspire you and encourage you to keep going and going until you reach your goal!

When we say we mean business, we mean business! And we are betting on you to be as serious about your business as we are. So role up your sleeves and get ready to pitch your company to a group of hard-core investors who will go only for the best of the best.

And with what you have learned the day before in our sessions about how to tell your story, we're hoping to see several investments closed right after the MENA ICT Forum. Who knows, you might be our next inspirational speaker and role model at the MENA ICT Forum 2026.

Succeeding in business is all about knowing the right people. While some people may coach you for years, others could play an important role in introducing you to that next large customer of yours in the region. And some others may simply end up becoming life-long friends who give you that extra push and moral support just when you need it.

Bottom line, people do business with people. Which is why we are integrating plenty of networking opportunities in this two-day forum. Between coffee breaks - of which some will be hosted at your very own space, lunches, dinners, and ample free time for people to roam the space (particularly your space), all you have to do is put a smile on your face, welcome people into your area, have your elevator pitch ready, and your business cards within reach. And while you're at it, don't forget to have fun and enjoy your time!