Global Tech Advocates that looks to link up entrepreneurs, investors, the private sector and policymakers through grassroots efforts has launched its first network in the Middle East, Tech UAE Advocates.
The Middle East and North Africa is home to several fast-growing tech entrepreneur hubs, with the UAE leading the way.
The UAE group will be led by Omar Hassan, founder of the Global Growth Hub (previously known as UK-MENA Hub), which seeks to connect the UK – MENA ecosystem. The private sector-led group will focus on access to capital, market access for entrepreneurs, thought leadership and policy exchange.
“The UK is the number one tech hub in Europe, just as the UAE in MENA. Our ‘traditiona’” bi-lateral relations equate to nearly £20 billion per annum, but things are changing fast, [and] we see a massive opportunity between UK – UAE tech over the next 5 years as an actual trade and know-how opportunity for both,” Hassan told ITP.net.
Global Tech Advocates has a network of more than 30,000 individuals and 26 groups that spans five continents. There are groups in China, Mexico, India, Japan, the US, Australia and many across Europe.
“There’s no grassroots tech community currently bringing entrepreneurs, investors, the private sector and policymakers together, creating one unified voice for the community,” Hassan said. “Also, this is a UAE wide group, which is one of the biggest challenges in unifying the different cities and hubs into one.”
The UAE, alongside other Gulf countries, is turning to entrepreneurship as the country rapidly diversifies its economy, moving away from reliance on petrochemicals towards a knowledge-based economy. In the UAE’s financial hub Dubai, 95 percent of businesses are small and medium enterprises, which employ around 42 percent of the emirate’s workforce.
The other two founding members are David Parker – Director, Alternative Investments & Corporate with Vistra Group – and Eleanor Singer, Regional Director, Middle East of the New Statesman Media Group.
