Adrian Cafferkey, Regional Director – Middle East & Africa, PFU EMEA Limited – a Ricoh Company, said: “In today’s evolving workspace, particularly in the vibrant GCC region, supporting remote workers is critical to retaining talent and keeping teams engaged and motivated. Our new RICOH 360 Meeting Hub provides an immersive experience where everyone in a meeting feels connected, regardless of where they are dialing in from. This solution will be especially beneficial in the UAE, where businesses prioritize innovation and collaboration.”

With a 3-in-1 video camera, speaker and microphone, the RICOH 360 Meeting Hub delivers a panoramic 360-degree view to allow whole groups to be displayed simultaneously, helping remote attendees feel engaged and confident to participate. Even if participants are standing or moving around, omni-directional microphones pick-up all speakers’ voices to a 6-metre radius.

Designed for versatility, the RICOH 360 Meeting Hub is ideal for office settings, trade shows, factory floors, and remote work scenarios – a perfect fit for the UAE’s diverse business landscape. Its lightweight, portable design allows it to be positioned on any flat surface or mounted on a tripod, providing seamless meetings wherever required. Advanced noise reduction and acoustic echo cancellation technology ensure clear audio in bustling environments, such as Dubai’s busy business districts.

Set-up and operation are stress-free and seamless – the intuitive plug-and-play functionality means the RICOH 360 Meeting Hub is simply plugged into a laptop with no need to configure multiple devices or install complicated software.

A HiFi4 DSP audio processing chip and firmware combine with the omni-directional speakers deliver high-quality sound. Acoustic echo cancellation, noise reduction and simultaneous two-way conversation technology ensure all meeting participants, even those in areas with background noise, can speak and be heard clearly and naturally. This Zoom certified Smart Meeting Hub works with most common conferencing platforms including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex and Google Meet.

At GITEX Global 2024, the PFU team is available at Stand CC2-29 Concourse 2 showcasing a portfolio of smart meeting devices and imaging solutions that support digital transformation, improve organisational productivity, and business performance. These include portable monitors, laser projectors, and the 360 Meeting Hub. Additionally, PFU will be unveiling new services and products during the show that visitors can learn more about at their stand.

Adrian Cafferkey added, “Our participation in GITEX underscores our commitment to supporting the UAE’s leadership in technology and digital transformation. We look forward to demonstrating how our innovations can help businesses here streamline operations and optimize performance.”

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The latest addition to the packed schedule comes at a vital time where statistics showed there were more than 1,000 unicorns around the world in 2023. This week’s showcase will help support the next development while bringing together 59 top global unicorns with a combined valuation of $400 billion. The impressive list to have gathered includes Axelera, DeepL Synthesis AI, and Insilico Medicine.

In one of the sessions, the Founder and CEO of digital health unicorn Insilico Medicine, Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov joined Tamer Elhamy, Chief Partner Officer of Microsoft Middle East to discuss the importance of Merger and Acquisitions (M&A) and how AI companies are making their foundational models work smarter for enterprises.

The audience heard that the Middle East region is leading the way with digitalisation with more than 300 deals related to M&A completed in the first half of 2024 with half of those led by the UAE.

Scaling GCC business globally
The staging of GITEX Editions aligns with Dubai’s ambition to be the home of 30 startup unicorns by 2030 as the emirate continues to transform itself from a regional to a global entrepreneurship hub and support its digital ambitions. Today, Dubai is embarking on its journey with 40% of MENA’s scaleups already based in the emirate (https://apo-opa.co/3Y7Y3EF).

To help nurture the growth of tomorrow’s giants in the GCC region, Harrison Lung, Group Chief Strategy Officer of e& was joined by Tanuja Randery, Managing Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa of Amazon Web Services (AWS) in an insightful session that focused on the importance of collaboration.

Harrison Lung explained the importance of joining hands to forge stronger alliances. He said: “For us, it’s more about a transformation towards a global technology company. In the areas of partnering, the idea is to develop a win-win proposition and solving the needs of customers.”

With the region growing rapidly, Tanuja Randery said there is no better time than now for companies to enter the market and agrees collaboration is crucial. She said: “This region is so attractive in terms of the growth potential. I read a stat that showed that almost 70 per cent of businesses in the Middle East want to move most of their operations to the Cloud in two years’ time and this could unlock USD $733 billion of economic value by 2033. To make Cloud make accessible, we need partners and alliances.”

Driving investments for startups
Funding is a key pillar to drive growth – both in the long and short-term but can be often challenging. Steven Hoffman, Venture Investor, Author; and Chairman & CEO of Founders Space, gave key advice on how startups should adopt a vertical growth strategy for the future.

He said: “There is a lot of money going into AI but most of that is going into a handful of companies which are dominating the market and this is impacting the growth of startups. As such, a lot of money is now going into vertical AI where the specialist area is only on one focus such as healthcare or hospitality and this is centred around this business model and adding AI on top of this.”

In another session, Kai Zenner, Head of Office & Digital Policy Advisor of EU Parliament and Dr. Agostino Ghiglia, Board Member of the Italian Data Protection Authority took part in a broader discussion on the AI EU Act and its global implications for the next generation of AI-driven unicorns.

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Unpacking Key Trends and Opportunities
VC Weekend 2024 is set to be a critical hub for discussions on emerging trends in venture capital, including investment opportunities in gaming, new media, e-commerce, and other fast-growing sectors. The conference will center around the theme of unlocking key trends in venture capital investment. Attendees can expect keynote speeches, panel discussions, and fireside chats featuring some of the brightest minds in the industry, including:

• Swati Trivedi, representing Magnitt, who will present insights from the 2024 MENA VC Report, highlighting the region’s evolving investment dynamics.
• Jamil Shinawi from Actual VC, 25Six9, and Ivan Drobychev, CEO of Grechka Media, will come together for a fireside chat titled, “How to Avoid FOMO in VC Investing.” They will discuss strategies for navigating the emotional pitfalls of investment decisions and offer practical advice on avoiding the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) in venture capital. This session aims to equip investors with tools to stay focused on long-term value and make informed, rational decisions.

The conference will explore the next wave of innovation and how investors can position themselves to capitalize on the changing landscape of technology and finance. Panels like “Gaming and New Media: What Investment Opportunities Will the New Generation Bring?” will shed light on where future growth lies, driven by the increasing influence of younger consumers and tech advancements.

A Premier Networking Opportunity
Designed for high-level networking, VC Weekend 2024 offers participants an intimate setting to engage with like-minded professionals, expand their networks, and foster collaborations. The event kicks off with an exclusive investor dinner on October 17, followed by the main conference on October 18. Attendees will have the chance to meet leading venture capital firms, family offices, and startups that are shaping the future of various industries.

Supported by Industry-Leading Partners
This year VC Weekend proudly joins forces with GITEX North Star as an official community partner, elevating the event’s significance within the global tech and venture capital landscape. Supported by Magnitt, which returns with its exclusive MENA VC report for the third year, and Shorooq Partners, a key player in early-stage investments, the event will bring together some of the region’s most active venture investors, including Oraseya Capital, OQAL, Forward Angel, and many more. This partnership underscores the event’s commitment to delivering top-tier insights and fostering connections across the global venture ecosystem.

“I am very excited to see how VC Weekend has managed to become a meeting point for the UAE’s venture capital industry professionals.  As any other industry we need a platform  where market players can exchange knowledge and experience. In the ever-changing venture capital space this exchange is crucial.” says Maria Ivanova, founder of VC Weekend and Gingo Partners.

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CardoO has achieved significant growth in the Egyptian market, with over 100,000 customers using their products. The company has partnered with the top 15 organized retailers in Egypt, facilitating access to their products in over 1000 stores across the country.

With its participation in GITEX Africa 2023, CardoO is excited to expand its reach across the Middle East and Africa region. The company will showcase its latest innovative products, including the CardoO Watch, Buds, Scale, iNote, Joystick, and VR Headset, which will link to the new free IoT mobile app.

“We are delighted to participate in GITEX Africa 2023 and launch our new IoT mobile app,” said Ahmed Adel, Founder and CEO of CardoO. “Our goal is to become the leading Arab-origin brand that provides middle-class citizens with affordable smart devices that empower their lives through technology. We believe our products will change the game in the IoT consumer electronics market.”

The new IoT mobile app launched by CardoO will connect tons of devices, enabling AI algorithm to process data then recommending smart scenarios for end-users. The app now is free to download from Google Play, App Gallery and the App Store.

The company has completed a successful seed round of 660K USD and is preparing for its next round of investment in 2024 Q1. This investment will be used to develop new products, build exclusive partnerships, and expand marketing efforts to reach a wider audience.

CardoO is also excited to announce the upcoming launch of ten new products by the end of this year. With its commitment to accessibility and affordability for the middle class, CardoO is well-positioned to make its mark in the IoT consumer electronics market.

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The Sensorium Galaxy Metaverse – named among the top ten exhibitors at the global tech show GITEX, held in Dubai in October 2022 was presented to audiences as part of the latest achievements in digital technology. This followed the opening of the Swiss startup’s state-of-the-art office in Dubai.

Sensorium’s metaverse which the company has spent three years creating with a series of AAA virtual awards, and possessing dozens of functional services will offer spaces where users will live out alternative life scenarios through their digital characters – themed and designed with a wide variety of activities for each community.

Some of these include a grandiose and endless Sensorium galactic party featuring both virtual and real-world artists across locations of the PRISM world; Carmalogic practices where programs of self-knowledge, self-development, and destiny control in the Motion underwater world will be explored; as well as SENSOplasma mining features in the UNDER world.

Eventually, digital inhabitants of Sensorium Galaxy will have the opportunity to leave their digital footprint in the universe to their descendants, with a virtual curation of alternate life scenarios in parallel to their earthly lifestyle.

Prior to the launch, Sensorium has teased its much-awaited metaverse with several sneak peeks into the Sensorium Galaxy Starship, and the hyper-futuristic AI avatars.

This year, Sensorium will complete the avatar recreation of 10 chart-topping DJs that will be performing in Galactic Parties, including David Guetta, Carl Cox, and Black Coffee; with each artist having its own avatar, enhanced by signature personality traits and digital immortality. All these will give performers the chance to reach future generations of fans even after leaving the stage.

Sensorium Galaxy is easily accessible; enabling users to choose their look, empower creativity with AI, and enjoy out-of-this-world digital experiences.

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Yspot was among the top 25 out of 500 start-ups from across the world that entered in North Star’s Supernova competition, and has placed second in the MarTech Innovator category. The Martech category judges the start-ups on whether they are “building applications of new technology in marketing and communications including advertising, data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, media, and social media.”

As part of its mission to support students in future career choices, the newly-launched, female-led startup, Y-Spot, began designing and offering collaboration-based internships for the youth of the UAE. Its internship programs aim to not only inspire but empower the next generation of socially-engaged leaders.

Placing second in the Supernova competition is an astounding feat for the young and innovative, youth-inspiring, female-led, teched start-up which has a bright future ahead.

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The five-day technology show will unveil new potentials, promises, and possibilities, ranging from the power of 6G to the massive virtual commercial ecosystems of the metaverse to flying cars among other tech-powered revolutions and forward-thinking concepts.

Hatem El Safty, CEO-Business Link, said the start-up growth in UAE makes GITEX North Star a perfect gateway for govt officials, entrepreneurs, investors, experts, and students to learn and highlight their skill sets.

“We are thrilled to be part of North Star as their community partners to contribute to the evolving start-up ecosystem with our experience, expertise, and services,” El Safty said, adding that this is a unique occasion that GITEX will bring amazing business and start-ups at one platform.

One of the world’s largest trade shows for business start-ups, five days GITEX North Star is set to commence on October 10, which will feature over 100,000 visitors and exhibitors 4,500 businesses, and one hundred plus expert speakers & panellists from a diverse array of fields from over 170 nations.

Future-proof investment
As venture capitalists seek to future-proof their investments in the face of global economic concerns, the possibilities for entrepreneurs to raise funding have never been better. Following a record-breaking year of $2.6 billion in VC financing in MENA, the UAE is leading the way in the sector, yet again.

“With incentives from the Dubai government, the city has become a testbed for emerging, bright-minded entrepreneurs to set up their businesses. Currently, Dubai is home to more than 10,000 small to medium-sized companies. GITEX not only supports but gives a platform for start-ups to engage with potential partners, investors, and clients,” El Safty said.

Faisal Qureshi, Chief Marketing Officer at Business Link, said the boom in the e-commerce industry has been parallel to the rise in start-ups in the UAE, as increasingly young entrepreneurs realize the value of going online and starting a business.

“At GITEX, we aim to educate ourselves with the emerging technology and resources we can use to help our clients in the best possible way,” he said.

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The short-listed startup, which include businesses advancing cloud-based workflow automation, consumer electronic subscriptions, media streaming and targeting services and more, represent the scope of in5’s entrepreneurial community.

The incubator will bring its nearly decade-long experience to the event with the aim of promote innovation, develop talent, facilitate business growth. Since its inception, in5 has incubated more than 500 businesses, a quarter of which are owned and operated by female entrepreneurs, nearly twice as high as the regional average of women-owned SMEs, according to the World Bank.

On behalf of in5, Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President – Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City and Dubai Production City, said “Dubai has established a globally competitive business environment and become a desirable location for talent, entrepreneurs, and investors from all over the world. World-class infrastructure, advanced business policies, and a supportive atmosphere increase the emirate’s attractiveness to founders, creatives and independent thinkers around the world.

“In a city building its entrepreneurial legacy with start-ups like Careem and Souk.com, we hope to contribute by identifying and providing promising businesses and talent from different sectors a platform where they can learn from experts, fine-tune their products, collaborate and thrive. GITEX 2022 is an opportunity for us to amplify select founders before a wider audience, and demonstrate the level of talent and innovation available in our incubator and the wider city.”

Meet the 7 homegrown in5 start-ups showcasing at GITEX 2022:

Beezr
A cloud-based no-code SaaS application, Beezr enables business users to build internal systems and automate workflows fast using no-code technology.

Expin
Expin is the top platform for marketing campaigns, bartering, and gifting. By helping customers identify the right influencers, data, and influencer tools, Expin helps users execute and scale up influencer marketing campaigns.

HUMD
HUMD offers a platform for printing businesses in the UAE to collaborate and partner with the start-up to reach a bigger audience. Printing businesses can list their goods and services with zero investment for set-up and marketing.

LivLyt
LivLyt is a cutting-edge consumer electronics and technology subscription business that allows users to rent the newest technology on demand and receive free delivery with a mission to make great tech accessible for everyone.

PeriCare
PeriCare creates elegant nursing rooms for mothers who are always on the move. Their comfortable pods are private, secure, and hygienic, in addition to being designed and built by mothers.

VeeHive
VeeHive is a media streaming and commerce network that links businesses and brands to their customers. By generating value for individuals through content, prizes, and networks, VeeHive assists businesses in delivering an experience that fosters interpersonal connections.

ViewIT
ViewIT is an all-inclusive real estate solution that combines the customer and agent journeys into a one, seamless experience. ViewIT’s patented technology is used by agents to post customized listings.

in5 aims to contribute to Dubai’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by offering a robust business set-up framework, expert-led mentorship and advisory, and opportunities to meet potential investors and partners. A cutting-edge prototyping lab and fashion lab, and a suite of industry-standard media and content creation studios are just a few of the creative facilities that in5 offers entrepreneurs and members.

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The Labour Fund “Tamkeen” will sponsor the Bahrain Pavilion, which hosts the participation of 30 Bahraini SMEs and startups in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Additionally, several partners active in Bahrain’s startup ecosystem will represent the Kingdom at the event this year, with Bahrain’s participation being organized in collaboration with the Bahrain Technology Companies Society (BTECH).

The Participants will have the opportunity to increase their exposure and network with key global players through a series of events, meetings, and workshops, which will help pave the way for potential investment.

On this occasion, Maha Mofeez Acting Chief Executive of the Labour Fund “Tamkeen” reiterated Tamkeen’s continuous efforts to empower Bahraini enterprises and support them by facilitating their participation at this year’s GITEX exhibition, a key platform for some of the largest global companies in the ICT field. She said, “This participation highlights Bahrain’s position as a tech hub in both the GCC and the Middle East. It will provide local enterprises the opportunity to meet key players in this space, allowing them to view the latest technological developments, while also offering them the chance to showcase their own products and services to potential customers”.

The Chairman of the Bahrain Technology Companies Society (BTECH), Tareq Fakhroo, praised the ongoing partnership with Tamkeen, emphasizing the importance of this cooperation to further develop the technology sector in the Kingdom by benchmarking against the latest products and trends of leading international tech companies, while also supporting digital transformation by implementing technologies in response to rapid changes in the global economy.

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