Global Partners

                                                                                                            
Gide is a premier international law firm. Founded in Paris in 1920, the firm now operates from 17 offices worldwide. With 600 lawyers, drawn from 35 different nationalities, Gide offers some of the most respected specialists in all sectors of national and international finance and business law.

In each of its offices in Europe, Asia, North America and Africa, Gide provides its clients with comprehensive knowledge of local markets, regional expertise, and the resources of an international law firm.
Founded in 1805 in Geneva, the Pictet group is today one of Europe’s largest privately held banks and the leading independent asset management specialist in Europe, with EUR 362 bn in assets under management and custody at the end of December 2014. Entrepreneurship lies at the heart of Pictet’s values. With this entrepreneurial spirit forming the basis for its growth, Pictet has 3,500 employees with a global presence of 26 offices.

Host Partner

 
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is an international, graduate-level research university located on the shores of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia. KAUST is dedicated to advancing science and technology through interdisciplinary research, education and innovation. Curiosity driven and goal-oriented research is conducted by students, faculty, scientists and engineers to address the world’s pressing scientific and technological challenges related to food, water, energy and the environment.

The KAUST Innovation Fund supports the University's pipeline of technology-based startup projects and companies. It also invests in high-profile international technology companies willing to establish their operations in Saudi Arabia and to benefit from synergies with KAUST research activities. The new fund is one of the very few players in Saudi Arabia making venture capital investments in technology-based startups from seed (less than $200,000) to early-stage (up to $2 million).
For further information, please visit KAUST website and Innovation and Economic Development website.

Co-Marketing Partner 

 
  The MENA Private Equity Association is a non-profit entity dedicated to supporting the private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) industries in the Middle East and North Africa and acts as an Ecosystem enabler.

The association was established in 2010 to support the development of a nascent private equity and venture capital industry in the MENA region. It represents the largest MENA private equity and VC firms with more than US$ 30 billion in assets under management.

In order to encourage the overall PE & VC industry growth, the MENA Private Equity Association issues research and industry reports that highlight the industries’ successes to local and international stakeholders, and hosts a number of events that brings together Private Equity fund managers, Family businesses, Limited partners, Industry practitioners, Investment Bankers, Advisors and Lawyers.

To further advance the interests of its members and wider industry players, the MENA Private Equity Association thrives to builds trust with regulators and its legal task force develops solutions to pressing industry challenges and observes the regulatory regimes across the MENA region in order to petition regulators where necessary to bring about some key regulatory changes across the MENA region.

For more information, please visit our website www.menapea.com

Community Partner 

 
  Wamda is a platform of programs and networks that aims to accelerate entrepreneurship ecosystems across MENA. Our core competencies are in community development, media, research, and advisory services. Each of which is a core pillar to supporting entrepreneurship in the region. Collectively, these programs make Wamda into the leading grassroots content, community and knowledge platform for entrepreneurs and their supporting ecosystem.