Shortened version of a presentation I gave at HighTech Norway to a crowd of investors and entrepreneurs eager to learn about business and investment opportunities in MENA
11. Another Look at MENA
BigSocial Facebook users grew 54.5 à 81.3
Million May 2013-May 2014
1 out of 4 Facebook users in
MENA are from Egypt
Saudi Arabia counts for almost half
of all Twitter activity in MENA
Linkedin almost users doubled
May 2013-May 2014 (4.7 à 8.4
Million)
12. Another Look at MENA
BigMobile
1H
52M
3H
45M
4H
13M
138% 173% 173%
% of mobile
subcsriptions
Average daily use
of internet via
mobile
14. What about Entrepreneurship?
An available pool of talented human capital
Talent
Cluster growth and physical hubs, mentor networks and links to
academia all increase potential for successful ventures
Density
Entrepreneurs seen as role models, failure as part of road to
success, startup jobs are promoted
Culture
Not only finance, but EXPERIENCED finance. Policymakers
can also help with startup capital access
Capital
Governments that create a supportive environment for both
investors and entrepreneurs such as with ease of opening/closing
a business, tax policy, patent protection etc.
Regulatory Environment
15. What about Entrepreneurship?
Talent
T h e G o o d
Expat heavy countries like UAE, Saudi and Qatar are melting pots
Local population shifting from public sector
Multucutral teams fuel innovation
T h e B a d
63% of entrepreneyrs and 60% of experts state finding talent a barrier to building their team, also
challenge with retaining talent and paying salaries (wamda research lab)
Need more investment in education
Major barrier for startups
16. What about Entrepreneurship?
TalentDensity
T h e G o o d
Expat heavy countries like UAE, Saudi and Qatar are melting pots
Local population shifting from public sector
Multucutral teams fuel innovation
T h e B a d
63% of entrepreneyrs and 60% of experts state finding talent a barrier to building their team, also
challenge with retaining talent and paying salaries (wamda research lab)
Need more investment in education
Major barrier for startups
18. What about Entrepreneurship?
TalentCulture
Reinforced by society and family
Fear of Failure
35% of tech entrepreneurs in region
are women (vs 10% global average)
Women Entrepreneurs
Involving government authorities,
private corporations, media and
entrepreneurs
Public-Private Partnerships
Reinforced by society and family
Risk Aversion
In most MENA countries, it has
competitive perks
Nationals Prefer Public Sector
21. What about Entrepreneurship?
TalentRegulatory Environment
T h e G o o d
Free zones have been set up where businesses can enjoy 100% foreign ownership and special tax
and administrative incentives
No tax in some countries
T h e B a d
Entrepreneurs point to cost (39%) and legal processes (28%) as costs barriers to setting up a
business
Significant barriers to starting and shutting down a business
22. Examples of Successful Startups
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23. Examples of Successful Startups
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