Summit Day - GT (Gulf Time, GMT+04:00)
How are global events impacting fundraising dynamics and what implications do they have for deal flow and fund cycle lengths? Is too much money chasing too few leads in the Middle East and how can funds and investors navigate the pathways to liquidity in crowded markets? What exciting equity and debt trends and strategies will shape the future of fundraising in the Middle East over the next few years?
- Jameel Anz - Managing Director – SME Investment Fund, Al Arabi Investment Group (AB Invest)
- Eid Alrashidi - Managing Partner, FGA Partners
- Khuram Maqsood - Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey
- Sara Nayef Al-Ateeqi - Vice Chairman and Acting CEO, Al-Mal Investment Company
How are sovereign wealth funds adapting their investment strategies in response to market trends and evolving asset classes? What capital accumulation advantages do SWFs have that other LP types don’t, and how are these influencing the distribution of their allocations in the GCC and internationally? What is drawing SWFs to the credit scene? How are global markets manoeuvring legal, tax and regulatory complexities when partnering with Middle Eastern SWFs?
- Vishal Patel - Executive Director - MENA Client Coverage, SS&C Technologies
- Racha Alkhawaja - Managing Partner, Gate Capital
- Issa Aghabi - Founder & Managing Partner, Access Bridge Ventures
- Dr. Jörg Goschin - Co-CEO and Senior Managing Director, KfW Capital
What key factors are driving investor optimism for private credit and how are new managers capitalising on this interest? How are regulatory reforms and economic developments in the Middle East such as Vision 2030 in KSA and Vision 2040 in the UAE creating opportunities for private debt funds to meet higher alternative financing demands? How are credit fund managers differentiating themselves from equity fund managers in the risk management space?
- Hans-Jörg Baumann - Founding Partner & Chairman, StepStone Private Debt
- Omar Al Yawer - Partner, Ruya Partners
- Konstantin Karchinov - Partner, Veld Capital
Regionally and globally, what challenges and shifts is the asset class facing and how can businesses develop their strategies as a result? In what ways is deep tech kicking off in MENA? How have VC valuations trended recently and what way are they expected to move next?
- Rema Alyahya - Vice President, Merak Capital
- Mohammed Almeshekah - Founder & General Partner, Outliers Venture Capital
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- Glenn Gore - Chief Executive Officer, LemmaTree
How are technology services transforming traditional finance and insurance sectors, particularly in the context of insurtech? Discussing the growing trend of ‘buy now, pay later’ (BNPL) schemes and the latest regulatory updates on this solution. What are the ramifications of mega deals the region has seen in the last year? Step into the time machine: what does the future of fintech look like?
- Thomas Williams - Founder, Elder Gull
- Sonia Gokhale - Co-Founder & General Partner, VentureSouq
- Anna Tutova - CEO, Coinstelegram
- Khaled Lababidi - Operating Partner, Arbor Ventures
- Mohamed Aladdin - General Partner, DPI Venture Capital
How is VC shaping the integration of AI and DNA screening technologies into healthcare in the Middle East and what opportunities is this creating for medical diagnosis, accessibility and treatment? What regulatory frameworks are hindering and boosting growth in the healthcare sector? How are tech investors capitalising on the rise of medical tourism in the Middle East? Examining the role of public-private partnerships to enhance healthcare innovation.
- Aaron Weaver - Managing Partner, Apeiron Investment Group
- Dr. Pankaj Jethwani - Executive VP & Managing Partner at W Health Ventures and CEO, 2070 Health
- Abrar Mir - Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Quadria Capital
- Herve Cuviliez - Co-Founder, Id4 Ventures
What does Web 3 sentiment look like currently? How has the Middle East’s stance on crypto and blockchain investment fluctuated and what factors have influenced the shift? With recent pushes from the UAE, what legislations surround crypto and virtual assets to avoid situations like the FTX scandal? What are the latest innovations in this space and how can new entrants take the first step in?
- Aly Madhavji - Managing Partner, Blockchain Founders Fund
- Pranav Sharma - Co-Founder & General Partner at Woodstock Fund, Founder, Agna
- Felix Stratmann - Head of Research, Outerlands Capital
Besides local knowledge, what distinguishes the strategies of emerging managers in the Middle East from others? What best practises can mitigate the inherent risk associated with backing first time funds? What initiatives can be undertaken to provide more support and encouragement to emerging managers in the MENA region looking to create momentum and develop their networks regionally? Battling the Ghosts of Investments Past: how can first time funds navigate challenges and build long-term success amidst competition from established brands and potential pitfalls like becoming a zombie fund?
- Mark Kleyner - Co-Founder & Program Director, Dream VC
- Hasan Haider - Founder & Managing Partner, Plus VC (+VC)
- Mohammed Alzubi - Founder & Managing Partner, Nama Ventures
- Sheikh Muhammad Noman - Founder & CEO, Pegasus Capital Investments
Through interactive brainstorming, fun activities and real-life examples, this workshop will delve into the beauty of appreciating diverse viewpoints and addressing unconscious bias in the private capital industry. A session to debunk myths and stereotypes and understand the cultural nuances of the Middle East. From ideas to execution: how to tackle the obstacles in a polarising industry and unlock new potential for your business.
- Ariel Ezrahi - Director of Climate Strategy & Initiatives, NewVest
- Vanessa Abernethy - Co-Founder, Oryx Consulting / 100 Women in Finance
In what ways is the private capital industry in the Middle East adopting artificial intelligence to speed up business expansion? What other tangible benefits have firms seen? How have business models been rewritten and which make the most sense when it comes to AI integration and investment? Risks and regulation: what are the dos and don’ts and how is regional and international regulation developing, and mitigating risks to data protection and security? Is AI symptomatic of a euphoric cycle or is it here for here for the long run?
- Sara Enan - Principal, Oryx Fund
- Ziad Makkawi - Founder & CEO, EQUIAM
- Carman Chan - Founder & Managing Partner, Click Ventures
- Jaspreet Randhawa - Head of Investments, Burkhan World Investments
Representatives from each point in the cycle will share their experiences, lessons learned and strategies for success in the dynamic Middle Eastern landscape. Hear valuable insights on navigating the unique challenges and opportunities at each stage of the investment pathway. From scouting startups and due diligence to scaling and exit strategies, gain practical wisdom from real-world examples and actionable advice in returns maximisation from industry experts.
12 mins presentations each followed by 9 mins Q&A
- Khaled Talhouni - Managing Partner, Nuwa Capital
- Noor Sweid - Founder and Managing Partner, Global Ventures
- Nader AlBastaki - Managing Director, Dubai Future District Fund
With family-controlled enterprises forming the backbone of the Middle Eastern economy, and with succession planning looming, how can LPs maintain high quality governance? This session will delve into the intricacies of government structures, board dynamics, bias and regulatory frameworks shaping the private capital industry. An LP exclusive gathering to candidly unpack the drawbacks and discuss the strategies for fostering robust governance practices in an evolving market environment?
Spaces are first-come, first-served. Run under the Chatham House Rule and closed to press.
LPs, to register, please contact adrianna.moskal@informa.com
- Adam Ladjadj - Founder & Chairman, The Emirates Family Office Association (EFOA)
This closed-door session will gather influential leaders from single-family offices across the Middle East and beyond. It will provide a confidential space to discuss investment strategies, challenges, and opportunities unique to the region. The focus will be on capital preservation, generational wealth management, regional trends, and how to take advantage of emerging sectors like technology, healthcare, and sustainable energy.
For single family offices: to join, please contact Adrianna Moskal at adrianna.moskal@informa.com
Run strictly under the Chatham House Rule. Encouraging participants to speak openly on the topics that really matter.
What are the current sector trends shaping investor appetite in infrastructure projects in the Middle East and globally? How can investors profit from early-stage opportunities amidst increased attention on late-stage deals? What regulatory hurdles do the private sector infrastructure players face, particularly when competing against government initiatives? How can they collaborate with each other to construct new growth avenues?
- Jaroslava Korpanec - Partner & Head of Central and Eastern Europe, Energy Infrastructure, Actis
- Bhupinder Singh - Managing Director, Global Head of Leveraged & Acquisition Finance, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
- Zain Shamim - Director, Private Equity, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
- Mounir Corm - Deputy CEO & Founding Partner, Vauban Infrastructure Partners
- Saed Arar - Executive Director - Head of Traditional Infrastructure, Mubadala Investment Company
- Walter Manara - Partner, DWS Infrastructure
In what ways is the digital infrastructure landscape evolving in the Middle East, considering the growing importance of payments, logistics and internet GDP? How are nations like the UAE, KSA and Qatar utilising their strategic geographic positions to establish themselves as pivotal hubs for global connectivity? To what extent is the growing demand for cloud services contributing to the region’s key positioning in the global digital infra space?
Three Middle East focused tech firms pitch their businesses and fresh ideas to a small group of GPs – ‘Shark Tank/Dragons’ Den’ style!
Pitches are 5 mins each followed by 10 mins Q&A from the judges after pitches have all concluded.
Judges will deliberate, share their final thoughts at the end and choose their individual winners.
Run strictly under the Chatham House Rule. Encouraging participants to speak openly on the topics that really matter.
Open to pitching tech founders and VC attendees only.
Tech founders: For the opportunity to pitch, please contact Munazzah Siddique at munazzah.siddique@informa.com
VCs: To attend, please also contact Munazzah to register.
- Aashish Pandav - Founder & CEO, Feddi
- Rashad Fares - CEO & Co-Founder, The Voucher App
- Baldeep Singh - Founder & CEO, Revent
- Hasan Zainal - Founder & Managing Partner, Arzan VC
- Khaled Lababidi - Operating Partner, Arbor Ventures
- Akshay Arora - CEO, Euphoria Capital Partners
Back to basics: bitesize tips for beginners looking to explore alternative financing methods. Exploring the potential benefits of venture debt in supporting SMEs in the Middle East and other emerging markets. Which big investors have taken the leap and how have they attracted FDI?
- Elie Fakhoury - Senior Managing Director, Financial Advisory, Teneo
- Ahmad Alanani - Co-Founder & CEO, Sancta Capital
How are Middle Eastern investors taking advantage of climate technology solutions around the world? How to overcome the financing gaps for early-stage green infrastructure initiatives in the region? What role are policy frameworks playing in supporting regional innovators in the deployment of climate tech? Where truly is the climate conversation on the priority scale in the region – is this position changing?
- Khalid Chami - Group Chief Financial Officer, Ali & Sons
- Vishnu Amble - Director, Investment Committee Member & Head of Foundation, GreenBear Group
- Khurram Waheed - Advisor to the Chairman, Eurasian Development Bank
- Kishlaya Misra - Senior Investment Officer, Private Equity, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
- Jérôme de Bontin - Partner, Capricorn Investment Group
How are firms harnessing technology to modernise traditional business practises and guarantee returns and scalability? What specific adjustments are required in the skill sets and strategies of investors, VCs and the wider ecosystem to effectively navigate the Middle East’s evolving tech landscape and capitalise on value creation opportunities? How are various sectors including oil and gas and banking gaining a competitive edge through undergoing significant digital transformation? ERP systems in the Middle East: exploring the evolution and evaluating the strengths and drawbacks of integrating enterprise resource planning solutions.
- Federico Bazzoni - CEO, Capital Markets & Corporate Finance Division, Vantage Capital Markets
- Patrick Zhong - Founding Managing Partner, M31 Capital
- Bilal Abou-Diab - Co-Founder & CEO, Vault
This session brings together Middle Eastern SWFs and global VCs. What does it take to get on the SWF radar and what do VCs need to be mindful of? How is politics influencing collaboration between the Middle East and Silicon Valley? What are VCs finding most challenging about tapping into the Middle East LP stream? What are the solutions?
Spaces are first-come, first-served. Run under the Chatham House Rule and closed to press.
SWFs, to register, please contact adrianna.moskal@informa.com
VCs, to register, please contact munazzah.siddique@informa.com
What are the key arguments for and against? How is the Middle East balancing its historical reliance on highly accessible oil with investments in alternative energy sources? Is the pressure to shift from fossil fuels coming from outside or within? Does the source of the incentive to transform really matter? Does the economic analysis of energy transition initiatives in the Middle East demonstrate financial viability and added value or are there lingering doubts about the profitability of these endeavours in the region?
Run strictly under the Chatham House Rule. Encouraging participants to speak openly on the topics that really matter. Closed to Press.
- Khalid Chami - Group Chief Financial Officer, Ali & Sons
- Fanglu Wang - Senior Managing Director, Managing Partner, Head of ESG Group, CITIC Capital
- Carman Chan - Founder & Managing Partner, Click Ventures
With Middle East VC firms investing billions in start-ups, what challenges and opportunities lie ahead in terms of generating successful exits in an ecosystem that is still relatively nascent? In a market where IPOs are tough due to regulatory requirements, what alternative exit strategies are emerging and how can funds work on manufacturing exits to generate returns? What benefits exist for the secondary market in the VC arena? Unpacking the crucial tactics that contributed to the region’s standout exits – top lessons to learn and strategies to implement.
- Hasan Zainal - Founder & Managing Partner, Arzan VC
- Ashish Fafadia - Managing Partner, Blume Ventures
- Pascal Thomys - Director, Head of Investor Relations, Target Global
- Venkatesh Peddi - Managing Director, Chiratae Ventures