• 4th edition of International Conference on Entrepreneurship in Palestine (ICEP) held for first time in Dubai
  Regional investors and VCs to meet 20 promising Palestinian startups eyeing growth and expansion across the Arab region

The 4th edition of the International Conference on Entrepreneurship in Palestine (ICEP 4.0) commenced today (November 1, 2022) at Museum of the Future, Dubai

Being held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the first time, the two-day event will introduce regional investors and venture capital funds (VCs) to stellar Palestinian startups with export-ready innovations in Fintech, Edtech, Insurtech, AI and Healthtech.

Hosting ICEP 4.0 reaffirms the UAE’s role as a global springboard for international growth for the region's startups. The UAE has continued to introduce economic, legal, and social reforms to attract investors from across the globe and solidify its position as the go-to destination for regional and international investment. Home to one-fifth of the Arab world's 100 most promising startups, the UAE plans to nurture 20 unicorns by 2031 to cement its status as a leading global innovation hub.

The event featured exclusive pre-recorded comments by Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), “I am so proud to see that this initiative has become a milestone of the autumn calendar. And you are hosting it in the the UAE, a country so renowned for its vibrant and fertile startup ecosystem…This conference continues to demonstrate how young and talented Palestinian entrepreneurs can help uplift the Palestinian economy and that of the wider MENA region….Young people play a fundamental role in building forward looking solutions and in driving policy making…..At WEF, we strongly believe in the power of entrepreneurship.”

“From education, to manufacturing and healthcare, the West Bank and Gaza’s entrepreneurs have shown that they’re brimming with innovative ideas that can drive economic growth and address longstanding development challenges. At IFC, we know the future is digital, and we’re committed to working with partners like ICEP to help turn those ideas into viable businesses that can grow and expand across borders,” said Khawaja Aftab Ahmed, IFC's Regional Director for the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

“There have never been more promising entrepreneurs and start-ups coming out of Palestine. These are smart, talented founders with innovative ideas, but they need investment, mentorship, and networking opportunities to scale. ICEP 4.0 connects the best of Palestine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem with investors from around the world, giving the start-ups a well-deserved spotlight on Dubai's global stage and helping them reach their potential," said Hisham Kassim, Senior Partner at Levari.

Titled “Innovative Palestine in the UAE; People & Potential”, ICEP 4.0 is being held in strategic partnership with DIFC Innovation Hub and with the support of Dubai Future Foundation.

ICEP is the largest and most empowering dialogue platform of its kind on the startup ecosystem in Palestine. ICEP 4.0 will be attended by Palestinian entrepreneurs and regional representatives of business incubators, fintech accelerators and VC funds in addition to government and private sector organizations across Palestine and the UAE.

The annual event is held in cooperation with the Global Shapers Hubs in Palestine, a community of the World Economic Forum (WEF), in partnership with the Ministry of Entrepreneurship & Empowerment; Bank of Palestine Group; Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC); International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group; the World Bank-funded Innovative Private Sector Development Program (IPSD); APIC Group; and Hubert Burda Media–Germany with the sponsorship of UNEC, Reach Holding in the UAE, Levari Law Firm and CoolNet in Palestine.

Photo Caption: (left to right):

Ali M. Younis, Palestinian Ambassador to the UAE, Habib Hazzan, Managing General Partner of Ibtikar Fund; Saeed Al Falasi Executive Director, Future Design and Acceleration at Dubai Future Foundation; Alya Al Zarouni, Executive Vice-President Operations, DIFC; Hashim Shawa, Chairman of Bank of Palestine Group; Eng. Usama Sadawi, Minister of Entrepreneurship and Empowerment, Palestine; Youssef Habesch, Country Representative International Finance Corporation (IFC); and Rateb Rabi, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Intersect Innovation Hub

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