The Dubai chapter of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) has officially launched the second edition of TiE Women, a global initiative dedicated to helping women across the globe reach their full potential. This is done by empowering them with the necessary support to build their leadership skills and grow their businesses.
The initiative is open to women-run and women-owned businesses from across the Arab world to submit their applications to participate and shine a light on their achievements. The first edition of the competition in 2020 received more than 100 applications and witnessed participation from countries across the Arab world, including Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Egypt, among other countries.
The second edition of TiE Dubai will be announced during a webinar by Ingie Chalhoub, Etoile Group President and Managing Director, who will be shedding light on her entrepreneurial journey and finding success in the virgin market of luxury fashion in the Middle East. The Global and Arab world winners will also join the conversation, sharing their tips and advice with 2021 participants as well as guiding on the key pitfalls to avoid. Interested participants can register for the webinar at https://bit.ly/2O6geuI
Under this initiative, participants will undergo a year-long comprehensive programme designed by TiE Dubai and will benefit from mentorship sessions with renowned and experienced industry leaders, financial advisory services, strategy coaching, workshops on practical business planning and tips to nail the perfect investor pitch.
Underscoring TiE Dubai’s ongoing commitment to advancing women entrepreneurs, Shameema Parveen, Programme Co-chair for TiE Women, TiE Dubai said that “Even though startups by women founders actually perform better over time, generating 10% more in cumulative revenue over a five-year period and 78% revenue for every dollar of funding compared to 31% of male-founded startups, the gender investment gap is a reality. Companies with women founders have received only about 2% of all venture capital invested.”
According to Visa, more than 163 million women around the world have started their own business in the last five years, accounting for up to 37% of the workforce. 75% of women business owners in the emirates run companies that are active globally. We are witnessing positive strides coming out of women entrepreneurship as the first half of 2019 saw ten companies owned by women became unicorns. Nominations for the second edition of TiE Women will be open from March 31 to July 1 2021.
These women entrepreneurs will present their business ideas to a panel of independent jury members comprising of successful entrepreneurs, investors, corporate honchos, and exceptional women leaders. The Arab region winner, along with three runner-ups, will be announced on September 1, 2021.
The initiative will culminate into a grand finale with participation from finalists across TiE chapters to be held during ‘Expo 2020’ in the UAE for a chance to win valuable prizes, including the monetary gain of up to $100,000 and support from mentors and investors.
