Ignyte

I've been spending more time in #UAE over the last couple of years getting to understand the start-up and investor ecosystems. I'm therefore very pleased to have been working alongside and now selected as a mentor for the Ignyte programme (part of DIFC and promoted by the Dubai Government). It comprises an impressive roster of local and international mentors and is a valuable platform to support companies wanting to know more about the UAE and also those companies from the region wanting to expand abroad. Also lots of deals made available by corporate participants! I've been impressed with the calibre of companies I've met with in the "office hours" I've made available and am bullish about the route the UAE is taking to attract global talent to move to the region and invest in or build start-ups alongside locally established players and people. I'm confident that for me it will continue to provide an effective source of quality connections with UAE-based founders looking to grow their companies globally. And on the flip-side also be a valuable resource for me to help my existing portfolio connect and grow in the region. Many people deserve a mention here but in particular gaining knowledge from Faisal Kazim Abdulaziz AlJaziri and Nader AlBastaki led me to Ignyte and thank you to my great friend at Carta Vanessa Chin for making the initial introduction to the team!

⚫ I'm thrilled to join Ignyte, a world-class startup community in the United Arab Emirates. This is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators as we work towards shaping the future. ✅ Looking forward to sharing insights and learning from the amazing minds within this dynamic ecosystem. Let's ignite the future together! #startupcommunity #entrepreneurship #innovation #ignyte

A remarkable day ft. failure Last week, we pitched at DIFC FinTech Hive after preparing for weeks. We got valuable feedback and the best teacher of all: failure. Where we screwed up We focused too much on the customer problem/solution and didn’t prepare enough for the investor angle of our pitch. No compelling vision, no strong story—it fell flat. To make it worse, I held the mic too close, causing reverb that threw me off and made me sound robotic. A rookie mistake I knew to avoid but forgot when it mattered most. Of course, there were many other mistakes—and parts we did well. One thing many attendees loved was our demo—a testament to the thought and care we’ve put into delighting our users. This was an incredible learning opportunity. Special thanks to Ignyte for having us, and to Raamiz Ali for the support in the days leading up to the event. Anıl Kiper, Elliott (Els) Denham from Oraseya Capital and Rafik Amrani from Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP)— we’ve made notes on all the feedback you gave us, and we truly appreciate your candid input.

This week for Milestone Monday, we are excited to celebrate gimmefy and the launch of their newly revamped platform!🎉 Gimmefy is an AI-powered marketing platform designed to help teams save up to 90% of their time and costs, streamlining marketing tasks and making processes more efficient. Gimmefy has developed more than 150 tasks that marketers rely on every day. By combining advanced technology with the expertise of regional professionals, the platform offers powerful tools that make marketing work smarter, not harder. The latest version, 3.01, comes packed with fantastic new features, including enhanced customisation options, improved subscription models and many more updates designed to offer greater flexibility and ease of use. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore all that Gimmefy has to offer – connect with them today using the Ignyte platform 👉🏻www.ignyte.ae #milestonemonday #community Anoona Janardhan

Join us in welcoming Juma Alhameli, our newest mentor!✨ With over 20 years of experience in technology and financial services, Juma is the Group Chief Technology Officer at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the largest bank in the region. In addition to this role, Juma serves on the Board of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. He is responsible for shaping the Bank’s technology landscape, driving digital innovation, improving customer experience, and maintaining high governance standards to help achieve the Bank’s business goals. Before joining FAB, Juma held senior roles at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). He served as ADGM’s Chief Communication Officer, overseeing communications, marketing, public relations, branding, and social media. He was also the Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer, where he helped develop and implement the organisation’s strategy. Juma began his career at ADGM in 2014 as IT Director, where he built a strong IT infrastructure for the financial centre. Don’t miss the chance to book a 1:1 mentoring session with Juma on the Ignyte platform today!🚀 www.ignyte.ae #mentorship #community

Join the fourth session of the du AI Advantage Series, hosted in collaboration with Wafeq وافِق, the leading provider of accounting and e-invoicing software for small and medium businesses. Learn practical strategies from Wafeq وافِق's CEO - Nadim Alameddine to streamline your financial processes and stay ahead in managing your business's accounting needs. Nadim is a serial entrepreneur and CEO/founder of Wafeq وافِق, a company simplifying finance for small and medium businesses in the Middle East. With a background in engineering and extensive management experience, he has scaled multiple tech businesses across the region. He co-founded Pricena, led JRD Group's proptech ventures, and worked at dubizzle and Rocket Internet SE. Nadim holds an MBA from The Wharton School, a Master's from Georgia Institute of Technology and a degree from Ecole nationale supérieure de l'Electronique et de ses Applications. This workshop dives into the essentials of automating invoicing, simplifying payment workflows, and ensuring compliance with UAE and KSA tax regulations. Discover how AI and automation can save time, reduce errors, and enhance efficiency, empowering your business to focus on growth. Spaces are limited, so register now to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/dzEGnZwb ________________ About the du AI Advantage Series: The "du AI Advantage Series" is a program launched in partnership between du and the DIFC Innovation Hub, to empower small and medium businesses in Dubai with AI tools and knowledge. The programme consists of a series of interactive sessions covering three main pillars: Marketing, Operation, and Finance, where participants learn from industry experts how to leverage AI for business growth and innovation. #difcinnovationhub #difc #uae #dubai #du

3 startups, 2 investors, 1 expert mentor, and a room full of innovative minds all set to spot the next big thing—that’s what our HR Innovation-focused Pitch at the Hive looked like yesterday!✨ A big thank you to our expert mentor Anıl Kiper, and investors Elliott (Els) Denham from Oraseya Capital and Rafik Amrani from Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), without whom this event would not have been possible. Their invaluable insights will definitely help our startups gain clarity and improve their pitches. We’d also like to thank the participating startups, Workcraft, Omnia, and Gateway for letting us be a small part of their exciting journey. Stay tuned for more upcoming events that can help your business grow!🚀 Join the Ignyte platform today 👉🏻www.ignyte.ae #event #mentors #investors #community

Please join us in welcoming Alaa Moussawi, our newest mentor!🚀 Alaa is currently the Chief Data Scientist at the New York City Council, where he leads a team of data scientists and software engineers. He works to promote the use of data in shaping laws and policies that meet the needs of NYC's residents. His team uses advanced statistical and technology tools to study a wide range of issues that affect the city. Their goal is to provide policymakers with insights to make decisions based on data, while ensuring transparency and the ability to repeat their research. The software engineers he works with develop technology that helps the council staff work more efficiently and reduces mental workload. Using algorithms and AI tools, they improve user interfaces, automate tasks, and streamline workflows. They focus on creating solutions with open-source technologies that are tailored to the needs of the NYC Council. These include systems for managing workflows, public and private websites, paperless hearings, dashboards for data access, and automation of everyday tasks. Book time with Alaa today using the Ignyte platform! 🕐 www.ignyte.ae #mentor #community

Looking to build your dream team? Learn how Helpdesk, an AI-powered platform that connects users with skilled experts for personalised assistance, cut 1/3 of their hiring time by using Ignyte: ♦️Fiverr £1000 Credit: By accessing the marketplace, Mohammad was able to use Fiverr’s service almost instantly, and the solution was tailored for their need of connecting them to top candidates. ♦️Recruitment Service by Mark Williams Recruitment: Mohammad was also able to discover an agency via Ignyte that supported him with recruitment at favorable rates. Access more with Ignyte to grow your dream team: ♦️1:1 Mentor Sessions: Connect with expert mentors such as Abdul-Rahman Risilia, Suhail Bin Tarraf and more. ♦️$1000 Off First Invoice + 14-Day Free Trial by Pangea.ai: A marketplace connecting top development agencies with startups and enterprises. ♦️Up to 25% Off and £150k+ in Perks by RemotePass: Unlock exclusive discounts for onboarding and payroll for remote international staff. ♦️Market Entry & Growth Solutions for the Middle East by FLUME Marketing : Helping businesses expand in the Middle East with market entry support, office setup, and growth strategies. Check out our marketplace today! https://lnkd.in/eFcif8pc #cofounder #marketplace #offers Mohammed Al-Sabagh

Our Pitch at the Hive series has a proven track record of providing startups the extraordinary opportunity to connect directly with investors, mentors, and a vibrant community of industry professionals from around the world.🚀 It’s the perfect platform for those looking to discover innovative and emerging startups, as well as for entrepreneurs seeking valuable feedback and support. Whether you're an investor, mentor, or simply curious to explore new ideas, our series brings together a diverse group of people with a shared interest in innovation and growth. You can choose to join us in person or watch the live stream through our platform, ensuring you don’t miss out on any of the action. Hear Audora Inc.'s full pitch using the Ignyte platform. Our HR Innovation focused Pitch at the Hive is just a day away, register now 👉 https://lnkd.in/dWEuCjgt #PitchattheHive #Community #events