United Arab Emirates University (Conference Host & Organizers)
Founded in 1976 by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) is a comprehensive, research-intensive university enrolling about 14,000 Emirati and international students. As the UAE’s flagship university, UAEU offers a full range of accredited, high-quality graduate and undergraduate programs through nine Colleges: Business and Economics; Education; Engineering; Food and Agriculture; Humanities and Social Sciences; IT; Law; Medicine and Health Sciences; and Science. With a distinguished international faculty, state-of-the art new campus, and full range of student support services, UAEU offers a living-learning environment that is unmatched in the UAE.
As a research-intensive university of international stature, UAEU works with its partners in industry to provide research solutions to challenges faced by the nation, the region, and the world. The University has established research centers of strategic importance to the country and the region which are advancing knowledge in critical areas ranging from water resources to cancer treatments. UAEU is currently ranked the number one university in the UAE, number four in the GCC, and #385 globally (QS World University Rankings 2014/15).
UAEU’s academic programs have been developed in partnership with employers, so our graduates are in high demand. UAEU alumni hold key positions in industry, commerce, and government throughout the region. Our continuing investments in facilities, services, and staff ensure that UAEU will continue to serve as a model of innovation and excellence.
Over the years DWTC has been much more than Dubai’s very first major business landmark. Instrumental in developing Dubai’s position as a leading events destination, it remains at the very pulse of the city’s central business and leisure district.
International Council for Small Business (Conference Organizers)
Founded in 1955, the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) was the first international membership organization to promote the growth and development of small businesses worldwide. The organization brings together educators, researchers, policy makers and practitioners from around the world to share knowledge and expertise in their respective fields. This year, the organization will host its 60th annual event. Since 2005, the ICSB has held successful World Conferences in Washington, DC (2005), Melbourne, Australia (2006), Turku, Finland (2007), Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (2008), Seoul, South Korea (2009), Cincinnati, OH USA (2010), Stockholm, Sweden (2011), Wellington, New Zealand (2012), Ponce, Puerto Rico (2013) and Dublin, Ireland (2014).
Visit www.icsb.org for more information.
Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (Platinum Sponsor)
In June 2007 the Khalifa Fund was created as an independent agency of the Government of Abu Dhabi, now with a capital of Two Billion Dirhams to satisfy the needs and requirements of entrepreneurs. The Fund provides a comprehensive program to expand their business activity, within the context of the efforts which the Fund exerts to provide an appropriate business enabling environment and to enhance the capabilities of potential entrepreneurs.
The Fund uses a modern assistance and support services system, including training, development, providing access to market intelligence and consultancy services in addition to developing various marketing initiatives. The Fund also provides various financial solutions for promising enterprises that may serve the national economy in the form of programs such as (Khutwa, Bedaya, Zeyada and Tasneea) which are made available to all types of SMEs.
Khalifa fund also launched social-economic initiatives, such as Sougha which aims at preserving the Emirati heritage. Al Radda, the first program in the U.A.E which is for prison inmates. Ishraq for patients who are recovering from addiction which are inmates of the national center of rehabilitation.
Tawazun (Platinum Sponsor)
Tawazun Holding is a strategic investment firm based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which is selectively building manufacturing and engineering businesses that are helping to contribute to the fast-growing industrial backbone of the UAE.
Tawazun Holding, which was borne out of the long-established Tawazun Economic Council in 2007, was created to develop ventures through industrial partnerships and strategic investments that add value to the UAE’s industrial manufacturing sector across a number of areas: defense and aerospace, automotive, munitions, metals and technology, including electrical.
ADIB (Gold Sponsor)
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) was established in 1997 as a public joint stock company through Emiri Decree N0.9 of 1997. It commenced operations on November 11, 1998 and is listed on the Abu Dhabi securities market, under the supervision and the regulatory framework of the UAE Central Bank.
The bank carries out all contracts, operations and transactions in accordance with Islamic Shari’a principles and is committed to its core values, which are reflected across all work aspects: simple and sensible; transparent; mutually-beneficial; hospitable and tolerant; and Shari’a-inspired.
ADIBs’ mission is to offer Islamic financial solutions for the global community, and determined to become a top-tier financial services group that provided its customers with ‘Banking as it should be’.
Today, ADIB is widely recognized as a pillar of Islamic banking in the UAE and across the Middle East. It continues to expand its local presence and is currently the third largest retail bank in the UAE with 88 branches and over 650 ATMs.
International expansion is a key component of the bank’s ambitious growth strategy, which entails examining opportunities to build its presence in the MENA region as well as cross borders. To date the bank has a substantial presence in Egypt, KSA, Sudan, Iraq, Qatar and the UK.
The bank has collected a number of accolades in appreciation of the success of its ongoing efforts, gaining global recognition with numerous awards and honors including Best Bank in the UAE by Banker Magazine, Best overall Islamic Bank by Islamic Finance News for 2nd consecutive year and Best Islamic Bank in UAE by Global Finance for 4th consecutive year ADIB is also proud of to have been recognized with the Muhammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Business Excellence and named as Best supporting Bank for SME initiatives in UAE.
Etihad Airlines (Silver Sponsor)
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2013 carried 11.5 million passengers. From its Abu Dhabi base Etihad Airways flies to 110 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 105 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 210 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25 Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. Etihad Airways holds equity investments in airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Aer Lingus, Air Serbia and Jet Airways, and is in the process of formalising its equity investment in Swiss-based Etihad Regional*. For more information, please visit: www.etihad.com.
*Operated by Darwin Airline
Dubai SME (Dubai Government Partner)
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (DUBAI SME) was established on June 12th, 2002, by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with a vision to:
- Promote entrepreneurship and risk taking culture among young Emiratis
- Provide startup support to Emirati entrepreneurs and encourage new concepts and innovations.
- Diversify the economy towards more private sector participation of Emiratis in business
- Position Dubai as a Global Entrepreneurship Hub
In 2008, Dubai SME was incorporated as an agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED), Government of Dubai. This new step confirmed a strong commitment to develop the SME sector and strengthening the role of SMEs as a major contributor to the local economy.
As an SME Development Agency, Dubai SME plays a leading role in the development of the SME sector in Dubai in support of the Emirate’s long-term economic development goal. The Establishment will be guided by 3 key strategies: (1) Advocating for a pro-business environment for entrepreneurship and SME development; (2) Seeding a pipeline of innovative start-ups and; (3) Grooming a pool promising Dubai-based SMEs to be global enterprises.
Dubai SME is eager to build a strong competitive economy led by Emiratis armed with knowledge and creativity. Therefore, a key focus for Dubai SME is to implement strategies and plans to promote entrepreneurship and in line with Dubai’s 2021 plan and the UAE Vision 2021.
Online Venture Challenge
Would you ask your students to start real businesses? The Venture Challenge allows students to quickly start new ventures, and authentically experience entrepreneurship. Student teams start real businesses that compete for 30 days to raise money for charity. The VentureChallenge software gamifies and plays host to the entire process, helping teams collaborate through custom learning resources, providing technical guidance throughout, and tracking team performance on a live leaderboard. The Venture Challenge platform enables you to easily incorporate experiential learning and data-driven teaching into your entrepreneurship course.
http://www.onlineventurechallenge.com
