Entrepreneurs from throughout the world to attend AIM Startup

Entrepreneurs from throughout the world will soon come to Dubai to display their ideas and learn from others starting businesses, as well as from established business leaders.

An initiative of the Ministry of Economy, the inaugural edition of AIM Startup will be launched alongside the 7th Edition of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) to be held from 2nd to 4th April 2017, at the Dubai World Trade Center.

The platform aims to attract entrepreneurs from across the world to present their innovative businesses, products and services, gaining unique exposure and opportunities among the participants of the Annual Investment Meeting. Conscious of the important role that successful startup companies play as engines of growth and employment, one of the major goals of AIM Startup is to serve as a strategic platform to connect promising startups globally and support them in meeting potential partners and financiers from other parts of the world.

"AIM 2017 will bring together government officials, local, regional and international investors and industry leaders; hence we are optimistic about the significance of opening this elite meeting to youth and entrepreneurs with vibrant profiles, on the sidelines of AIM," said Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy. "The UAE includes some of the leading incubators for innovative projects and startups worldwide. Our government, with its visionary initiatives have always supported new ideas, which enabled a competitive and progressive UAE economy," added Al Mansouri.

Participants and attendees of AIM Startup 2017 will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and knowledge, gain access to tailor-made networking solutions with industry leaders and investors, and benefit from a line-up of engaging and informative talks.

"Underscoring innovation and competitiveness, AIM Startup is a newly established forum to be held in conjunction with AIM 2017. The innovators of today are paving the way for tomorrow’s future, addressing global challenges through the creation of technological applications, and so it is important to provide a valuable platform to showcase those solutions to the right audience. That audience being the thought leaders of our time, as well as investors and potential partners who can help to make such solutions available to the masses." said Dawood Al Shezawi, CEO, AIM Organising Committee.

AIM Startup will include an Innovation Showcase Exhibition where startups will be afforded the opportunity to display their innovations to attendees, including investors and industry leaders. Furthermore, the forum features a Startup Pitch Competition, which seeks to identify the most disruptive businesses, awarding founders with prizes in recognition of their impressive accomplishments. Prizes include US$30,000 and other valuable incentives granted by AIM Startup event partners.

"For these startup companies, we are playing the role of facilitators and connectors who will help to push them into wider horizons and markets, encouraging cross-border and cross-country trade, capital investment and valuable partnerships," noted Al Shezawi.

Dubai’s Annual Investment Meeting is expecting the attendance of more than 15,000 participants from over 140 countries, whose profiles vary from officials to private investors, international corporate leaders, policy makers, world-renowned experts and key business executives. AIM Startup will feature companies across various sectors, including healthcare, education, fin-tech, retail, IT and ICT, virtual reality and gaming, robotics and drones, wearable technologies, renewable energy, transportation, logistics, F&B and tourism and hospitality.

AIM 2017 is the premier platform for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in growing markets. It is an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Economy that aims to assist strategic networking and promotion of investments, while providing a rich learning experience to its attendees and participants. The global forum will be held under the theme of "International Investment, Path to Competitiveness and Development."