Ending Soon! Save 33% on All Access

Impact Investments: Entrepreneur Middle East Launches #EntMEStartups At Entrepreneur Middle East, we've so far put in time and effort to helping build this ecosystem- and now, we are putting in capital as well.

By Aby Sam Thomas

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock.com

When Entrepreneur Middle East was launched two years ago, one of the foundational principles that we laid out for ourselves as a publication was that we needed to be more than a mere spectator of what's happening in the region's business arena- our mandate was to be active participants of the entrepreneurial ecosystem here, cheering, supporting and enabling the men and women trying to make a definite impact in the MENA region through their professional endeavors.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that having such a directive hanging over our heads has been a daunting affair for those of us working under this banner. Our desire to be different from the status quo meant that we had to be inventive in how we went about doing things- we became purposely choosey about what we feature as content; we made it a point to be at as many ecosystem events as we can (this is why you often see us working over weekends, so as to catch up with time we lost over the week!), and we were keen on using our platform to throw the spotlight on not just the business people who had "made it," but also the fledgling new enterprises that showed the potential to actually effect change in the region.

It is thus this particular foundational value that is governing our newest initiative at Entrepreneur Middle East: a contest that will see us give away US$25,000 each to two deserving startups operating in the Middle East. Keep an eye out for #EntMEStartups on our social media channels; that's the hashtag we will be using to refer to this contest over all our platforms.

At its very essence, our aim with #EntMEStartups is to find enterprises in the region who are being (at the risk of sounding cliché) really innovative, and award them with this prize that, we hope, will contribute to their success in the long term. At Entrepreneur Middle East, we've so far put in time and effort to helping build this ecosystem- and now, we are putting in capital as well.

Entrepreneur Middle East is on the hunt for two innovative enterprises in the MENA region to award a sum of US$25,000 each in funds. Think your startup has what it takes? Apply to the #EntMEStartups challenge here before November 15, 2016 for a chance at the prize.

Related: Entrepreneurship Leaves No Room For Laziness

Aby Sam Thomas

Entrepreneur Staff

Editor in Chief, Entrepreneur Middle East

Aby Sam Thomas is the Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Middle East. In this role, Aby is responsible for leading the publication on its editorial front, while also working to build the brand and grow its presence across the MENA region through the development and execution of events and other programming, as well as through representation in conferences, media, etc.

Aby has been working in journalism since 2011, prior to which he was an analyst programmer with Accenture, where he worked with J. P. Morgan Chase's investment banking arm at offices in Mumbai, London, and New York. He holds a Master's Degree in Journalism from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York.  

Side Hustle

These Brothers Had 'No Income' When They Started a 'Low-Risk, High-Reward' Side Hustle to Chase a Big Dream — Now They've Surpassed $50 Million in Revenue

Sam Lewkowict, co-founder and CEO of men's grooming brand Black Wolf Nation, knows what it takes to harness the power of side gig for success.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Health & Wellness

The Top 10 Fastest Growing Industries in 2024

Thanks to tech breakthroughs and consumer demand, these industries are expected to boom in 2024.

Starting a Business

Gateway To Growth: Here's How Saudi Arabia-Based Tamam Is Reshaping The Kingdom's Micro-Financing Landscape

A look at how the first fintech company in KSA to receive a license for consumer micro-financing from the Saudi Central Bank is ensuring that diverse populations receive financial services on an equal footing.

Leadership

17 Leadership Lessons from Acorns CEO Noah Kerner

How this four-time entrepreneur helped build the largest subscription service in consumer finance.

Growth Strategies

The Future Of Work: Why Employee Benefits Are Vital To A Company's Success

Employees today aren't just looking for a paycheck; they're seeking a career path that offers growth, flexibility, and a sense of purpose.