Anticipation builds for region’s largest-ever SME event

SME Beyond Borders gets underway on November 30 at the Madinat Arena, with the eyes and ears of the GCC keenly watching developments. 

The event brings to the UAE a high-powered cluster of international thought leaders in the SME and Enterprise space, including figures such as Deutsche Bank’s Roberto Mancone, Microsoft’s Mohamad Mourad and Markus Massi, Managing Director, the Boston Consulting Group. 

The event develops the all-important theme of the ‘West-East corridor’ and the value-chain that it opens for regional SMEs as they venture onto the world’s latest trade superhighway. 

Event presenting partner National Bank of Abu Dhabi believes that SME Beyond Borders can give every SME practical and unique guidance on how to benefit from the quantum shifts currently taking place in the world economy.

Luxury Superyacht app launches in the Middle East

The world’s leading luxury superyacht brokerage service, Yachting Partners International (YPI), has launched a new mobile app in the Middle East to enable wealthy individuals to book bespoke holidays at the touch of a button.

The app opens up a new world of astounding holiday experiences that cater to a customer’s every need. The yachts are kitted out with fully air-conditioned gymnasiums, private Jacuzzis and even helipads, a popular feature with executives flying in from abroad.

Accessible through the app is the world’s first live interactive dedicated yacht search, Yachts Around Me, based on yachts’ real-time location. The filterable search feature allows users to find out more about the yachts they see around them or yachts they specifically would like to know more about. Users also benefit from stunning photo galleries of a yacht, along with details indicating whether the vessel is available for charter or sale.

The app presents an overview of luxury yachting including the locations, the yachts and how luxury yacht charter works. It includes features, interviews and easy-to-understand beginners’ guides together with recommended exclusive holiday destinations, itineraries and yacht galleries.

The app is now available on both the Play and App store for free download.

TURN8 Seed Accelerator launches search for new round of innovative start-ups

Dubai-based TURN8 seed accelerator has commenced the Scouting Phase of its fourth round, searching for early stage technology business ideas at a number of events around the world and via an online portal. 

Founded in 2013 by DP World, TURN8 continues its mission to enhance entrepreneurship and innovation in the region by offering mentorship, training and seed funding to exceptional business start-ups, which it fosters from idea to market as part of a four-month accelerator program in Dubai. 

The TURN8 program seeks innovative businesses or technology ideas in a variety of areas, including Web or mobile applications, e-commerce portals, Arabic content advancements, education and e-learning enhancements, sustainable living technologies, crowdsourced services, social networking innovations and healthcare technologies. 

Entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for the program via the online portal. In addition, idea pitching events will be held in select cities including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as Beirut, Lebanon; Barcelona, Spain; and Nis, Serbia. Winning startups will be invited to Round 4 of TURN8, beginning 1 February, 2015.

Mohamed Elwazer, CEO and Founder of KinTrans and a TURN8 graduate said: "Building your start-up is a very tough process. Entrepreneurs need people around them to offer advice and support, people who you feel really believe in you. I found that with TURN8, and that is what has made KinTrans so successful up to now." 

For information about Round 4 events or to apply online, go to http://www.turn8.co/apply.