The fifth Investor Demo Day has been announced by TURN8, the seed accelerator programme for technology entrepreneurs initiated by global marine terminal operator DP World, which will be held in the Windsor Ballroom at Grosvenor House in the Dubai Marina on January 16, 2016.
The event will showcase businesses from round 5 of the programme that educates, mentors and provides seed funding to innovative startups from around the world.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World, said: “Dubai and the UAE are a great example of how innovation drives trade, which powers economic development. Our leaders have always been innovators and it is part of our DNA.
Read a Technical Paper of DP World's Jebel Ali T3 container terminal
“We are following the guidance of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to look for creative and innovative people and offer them the support they need in order to turn their ideas into actual projects. DP World is committed to the UAE’s strategy as a knowledge-based economy, as detailed in the UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021.
“As a company we have an innovative mindset and a priority for us is to encourage creative thinking, supporting young talent to drive the future. TURN8 is an example of how we are contributing to our communities in which we operate and by nurturing entrepreneurship we are developing our greatest asset, creative people, who can shape the future for generations to come.”
Yousif Al Mutawa, Chief Information Officer at DP World and Programme Director at TURN8, said: “The goal of TURN8 is to bring innovative entrepreneurs to Dubai from around the world. We offer funding and an education that you will not find in many universities that is backed by a growing community of successful entrepreneurs and investors who mentor, train and help bring these new businesses to life. To be part of this endeavour is truly life-changing.”
Read a Technical Paper of DP World's T4 container terminal
In the years since its inception, TURN8 has trained and graduated more than 51 startups whose founders came to Dubai from across the UAE, the Middle East and North Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States.
Each team is offered funding, training and coaching for four months to help them hone their business idea and to understand the basics of launching and running a new business.
The startups who are graduating from round 5 of TURN8 will present to investors and members of the media on demo day.
The event also includes a keynote speech by Swatch watch brand co-inventor and founder of Creaholic, Elmar Mock.
His talk at Investor Demo Day is titled ‘The Innovation Factory: The Hidden Side to the Swatch Story and How to Successfully Manage Innovation’.
