Fireside Chat, Conference Presentation
The Mideast's New Resource: Entrepreneurs
- The Milken Institute has scheduled an annual California Summit with Governor Brown for November 21st, a forum featuring former Nevada Governor Bob Miller for December 3rd, and an annual global conference from April 27th through 30th of the following year.
- The Middle East is expected to experience a shift in dynamics over the next five years, potentially differing from the previous five-year period as the region becomes a battleground between 20th and 21st-century paradigms.
- Over the next eight to ten years, the region is projected to face a struggle between traditional and modern paradigms, with venture capital infrastructure for entrepreneurs expected to undergo significant development within five to ten years.
- Access to free global knowledge and the proliferation of sub-$40 smartphones and data plans are anticipated to drive connectivity and motivate populations to seek political voices and economic debate, regardless of other factors.
- Young entrepreneurs are predicted to reject the concept of "stability" in favor of alternatives to the status quo, while technology may encourage more individuals to pursue success in their home countries rather than relocating to Silicon Valley.
- Significant public exits and IPOs from the Middle East are expected in the future, though the Arab uprisings have historically prevented such occurrences; access to A-round funding is also anticipated to differ from the last five years.
- Cross-border collaboration between Israeli and non-Israeli entrepreneurs is viewed as possible but is expected to proceed with high caution and low immediate expectations due to political sensitivities.
- The "Rawad" initiative aims to eventually open a center in Tripoli, although current conditions in Syria are hindering this progress.
- A goggle product by Hind Hobaka is expected to launch later this year or in early January.
- The upcoming forums are intended to catalyze discussions that motivate attendees to achieve significant outcomes and inspire proactive engagement and a rethinking of Middle Eastern conceptions.