(MENAFN- Misbar Communications) Dubai, January 26th, 2024
The UAE Women in Business Club of the INSEAD National Alumni Association in the UAE and the Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) have successfully wrapped up a business forum titled 'Transition to Entrepreneurship: Build Your Strategy.' The forum was designed to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship among women and aimed to bolster their skills in various critical areas such as developing effective entrepreneurship strategies, setting up startups, managing financial resources, and building robust business networks.
More than 90 took part in the event, offering attendees a comprehensive understanding of the entrepreneurial journey. Participants delved into the various challenges and opportunities associated with establishing startups in today's competitive business environment. The discussions also revolved around ways to enhance the skills, knowledge, and experience of participants, equipping them with the tools needed for successful entrepreneurial ventures.
The forum, which concluded today, comprised three key panel discussions. The first focused on the journey to becoming an entrepreneur and ways to craft a business strategy tailored to each project or company. The second session explored the nuances of fundraising, building robust social and professional networks, and gaining the knowledge required to instill investor confidence in achieving substantial returns. It also delved into when to engage legal advisors and what equity splits will be negotiated at each step of fundraising.
The third and final session focused on how to position businesses for success and build a coherent strategy for fundraising, a scalable execution plan, and expansion on a large scale. The session highlighted the pivotal role of innovation and technology in driving this expansion and optimising labour and efficiency. Furthermore, the session underscored the importance of cultivating employee motivation, which is key to sparking creativity, ensuring compliance with business norms, and facilitating overall organisational development.
Nadine Halabi, Business Development Manager at the Dubai Business Women Council, emphasized that organizing the event in collaboration with the INSEAD National Alumni Association is yet another step towards realizing the Council's mission of equipping its members with all necessary expertise and skills for their entrepreneurial ventures. Halabi stressed that the Council is committed to training its members and helping them harness their skills.
Further elaborating, She noted: "The forum's in-depth discussions centred on essential aspects that we believe will endow participants with competitive edges. Areas such as financial planning, business strategies, and access to a knowledge network are fundamental pillars that set one company apart from others."
Gabriela Janzen-Nowak, GEMBA 21J, Stategy advisor have noted a few facts: Middle East and North Africa (MENA) startups founded by women raised a total of £34.6 million in 2021, or just 1.2% of the region’s venture capital funding, with only 8.5% of MENA startups including at least one woman on their founding team. By combining the knowledge and network of founders, mentors, and investors, we can build an ecosystem to support the growth of organisations on the path to achieving the status of a Unicorn (firm with the valuation of over USD1bn).
Established in 2002 under the umbrella of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the Dubai Business Women Council is the UAE’s leading platform for the personal and professional development of business women in the Emirate of Dubai. It aims to support businesswomen and entrepreneurs taking their first steps in the world of business. The Council plays a vital role in enhancing the contribution of businesswomen to the country's economy and promoting economic development in all sectors of the business community.

MENAFN28012024006976014991ID1107776928