INNOVATION STARTS AT HOME EMPOWER YOUR EMPLOYEES TO DRIVE YOUR BUSINESS FORWARD BRINGING IN THE BUSINESS AN EYE FOR LEVERAGING THE SUCCESS LAW OF ATTRACTION TO WIN NEW MUSE CAPITAL CLIENTS FOR YOUR CO-FOUNDER ASSIA ENTERPRISE GRAZIOLI-VENIER What it takes to be an angel investor (that entrepreneurs would want to have on board their enterprises) Driven by passion P.N. C. MENON THE FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF SOBHA GROUP ON HIS “unendinG PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCe” aS AN ENTREPRENEUR 9 7 7 2 3 1 1 5 4 1 0 0 8 > AUGUST 2017 | WWW.ENTREPRENEUR.COM/ME | UAE AED20 Nasma_11296_Launch_Campaign_20.3x27.3cm_Eng.indd 1 3/27/17 6:54 PM AUGUST 2017 CONTENTS 20 PNC Menon, founder and Chairman, Sobha Group 20 26 30 72 INNOVATOR: INNOVATOR: ‘TREPONOMICS: START IT UP: DRIVEN BY PASSION AN EYE FOR SUCCESS PRO Q&A PNC Menon Assia Grazioli Venier Understanding the Middle Inspiring loyalty The founder and The co-founder of Muse Capital East’s skills gap Alborz Toofani, founder and Chairman of Sobha Group on what it takes to be an angel Market trends are CEO of Snappcard, looks on his “unending pursuit investor (that entrepreneurs reprioritizing valuable back at his entrepreneurial of excellence” as an would want to have on board skills, and in some cases, journey over the past five entrepreneur. their enterprises). demanding completely years. new competencies, writes Bayt.com’s VP of Employer 82 Solutions, Suhail Al-Masri. ‘TREPONOMICS: PRO 70 Innovation starts at home MONEY: Salman Dawood Abdulla, VC VIEWPOINT Executive Vice President, Envisioning potential EHSSQ and Business Enabling Future’s managing Transformation at Emirates partners Saad Umerani Global Aluminium and Hubertus Thonhauser (EGA), makes the case explain the Dubai-based VC for empowering one’s firm’s investment approach employees to drive and considerations. innovation. 26 Assia Grazioli Venier, co-founder, Muse Capital AUGUST 2017 ENTREPRENEUR 3 Nasma_11296_Launch_Campaign_20.3x27.3cm_Eng.indd 1 3/27/17 6:54 PM Entrepreneur ME ARCHITECT dps W406xH273 E.indd All Pages 7/27/17 4:44 PM Entrepreneur ME ARCHITECT dps W406xH273 E.indd All Pages 7/27/17 4:44 PM CA109185_Navitimer 46_406x273_Entrepreneur.indd Toutes les pages 12/06/2017 09:49 CA109185_Navitimer 46_406x273_Entrepreneur.indd Toutes les pages 12/06/2017 09:49 CONTENTS AUGUST 2017 34 42 TECH: TECH: THE FIX SHINY Blockchain: [much] more #TamTalksTech than a buzzword Gadgets and doodads Ian Dillon, co-founder, Now that you might’ve missed Money, explores how the out on, sourced by a tech fintech innovation can make aficionado. Yes, it’s okay a positive impact on global to want them all… and no, issues. it’s not our fault. 44 42 Huwaei Honor 9 CULTURE: TRAPPINGS 50 Educators have key roles to play in nurturing their students’ entrepreneurial spirit ‘Trep gear The executive selection for the entrepreneur on your 78 50 list that has everything. START IT UP: CULTURE: Okay, maybe for a little self- Q&A LIFE reward as well. Conquering the globe Fueling the future Dubai-based startup Tanvir Haque, founder, 46 Shedul’s software for the Freshstone Consulting, ‘TREPONOMICS: beauty industry has been explores ways in which ESQUIRE GUY adopted by over 40,000 educators can identify Happy endings merchants in more than 120 innate entrepreneurial skills The Esquire Guy walks you countries- in a span of just in children at a crucial age, through the best way to two years. and support their growth. wrap up a business meeting. 78 William Zeqiri, co-founder and CEO, Shedul 10 ENTREPRENEUR AUGUST 2017 CONTENTS AUGUST 2017 34 Blockchain: [much] more than a buzzword 66 48 START IT UP: CULTURE: ECOSYSTEM LIFE Reimagining Iraq Constraints make you better Things are moving in the James Clear on why the right right direction for the limitations help in boosting country’s entrepreneurial performance. ecosystem, notes Marwan Ahmed, Director, Mishwar, 44 a grocery delivery startup in Hublot Baghdad. Classic Fusion Chronograph 16 Berluti 56 38 EDITOR’S NOTE ‘TREPONOMICS: TECH: By Aby Sam Thomas SKILLSET ONLINE ‘TREP Building your personal Usability first 60 infrastructure Clinton O’Leary, Chief CULTURE: Business coach Murtaza Commercial Officer of BUSINESS UNUSUAL Manji offers five Yvolv, says it’s key to Gifting done right suggestions to help you pay attention to the user UAE startup joi wants to achieve excellence- be it experience aspect of your become the go-to portal for personal or professional. tech product. all things gifts. 72 Snappcard’s Emre Kistak, Managing Partner UAE, Alborz Toofani, founder and CEO, and Onur Witt, Creative Director 12 ENTREPRENEUR AUGUST 2017 etro.com MIDDLE EAST SUBSCRIBE EDITOR IN CHIEF Aby Sam Thomas [email protected] Contact [email protected] to receive CEO Wissam Younane [email protected] Entrepreneur Middle East every issue MANAGING DIRECTOR Walid Zok [email protected] DIRECTOR Rabih Najm [email protected] CREATIVE LEAD Odette Kahwagi MANAGING EDITOR Tamara Pupic STARTUPS SECTION EDITOR Pamella de Leon PO Box 502511 Dubai, United Arab Emirates P +971 4 4200 506 | F +971 4 4200 196 COLUMNIST Sindhu Hariharan COLUMNIST Tamara Clarke For all commercial enquiries related to COLUMNIST Shoug Al Nafisi Entrepreneur Middle East contact COLUMNIST Erika Widen [email protected] EVENTS LIAISON Mark Anthony Monzon All rights reserved © 2016. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Opinions expressed are solely those of the contributors. Entrepreneur Middle East and all subsidiary Marwan Ahmed James Clear Murtaza Manji publications in the MENA region are officially licensed Suhail Al Masri Nick Davis Ross McCammon exclusively to BNC Publishing in the MENA region by Fatima Al Shirawi Salman Dawood Abdulla Jasmine Montgomery Entrepreneur Media Inc. Helen Al Uzaizi Ian Dillon Clinton O’Leary No part of this magazine may be reproduced or Fida Chaaban Tanvir Haque Hubertus Thonhauser transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher. Matthew Chaban Shelina Jokhiya Saad Umerani Images used in Entrepreneur Middle East are credited when necessary. Attributed use of Printed by Raidy Emirates Printing Group LLC copyrighted images with permission. 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EntMagazineME 14 ENTREPRENEUR AUGUST 2017 etro.com SUBSCRIBE EntMagazineME @EntMagazineME Entrepreneur-me EntrepreneurMiddleEast EntMagazineME EntMagazineME EntMagazineME EDITOR’S NOTE Time is money Are you burning through a modern currency? s someone who often one, that’d help me see if we can feels there aren’t enough get things done over email itself (or hours in the day to fin- maybe a call), and if not, we’d now ish all of the tasks on my be clear about the main points of plate, I am always be- discussion when we do meet with Afuddled by those who seem to have each other- surely, that’d be a bet- time to spare for meetings with ter use of time, be it yours or mine! me on a work day, with the agenda One important note here though: primarily being “just to catch up.” if you are going to set an agenda for In the modern economy, time re- a meeting, make sure it is specific ally is money. How are you spend- and to the point. For instance, time- and you sure as heck cannot ing it? Is there an ROI? requesting me for a meeting “to ex- expect anyone else to set aside “Catch up” requests, especially plore collaboration opportunities” their time for you for no reason. when they come from entrepre- doesn’t mean anything to me- I’d Keep it real, people. neurs, often set off warning bells in much rather have you do some re- my head. If your aim with a meet- search of your own, and then come ing is to apparently only exchange to me with potential action items pleasantries with me, rest assured that could work for the both of us. that I am already skeptical about For one, this shows me that you you and your intentions, and I defi- have seriously looked through nitely do not appreciate the seem- our work, and found out ways to ing disregard for my time as well. perhaps add value to what we do, Sure, there may be something you while satisfying your own priori- actually want to discuss in person ties- a win-win situation, if you with me- but if that is indeed the will, and that is often enough for Aby Sam Thomas case, wouldn’t it be better if you me to want to invest my time with Editor in Chief simply laid that out in your first you. As entrepreneurs, you don’t @thisisaby email requesting the meetup? For have the luxury of wasting your [email protected] 16 ENTREPRENEUR AUGUST 2017 IN THE LOOP BUILDING A COMMUNITY Palestine early-stage VC firm Ibtikar Fund raises US$2.5 million from regional and global investors inancial support, espe- agree with our current investors cially in the early stages in the potential of Palestinian Fof a business lifecycle is a startups and welcome them to missing link most startups in our fund,” he added.