
PANELS
OCTOBER
Exploring Brand Opportunities
Panel Members: Mr. Kamal Dimachkie and Dr. Farah Arkadan
October 12th at 7:30 to 8:00 pm
AEIC Room 214, EMBA Bldg.
Get your creative juices going! Understand the creation of iconic brands and personalities through line drawing and aspirational case studies. Hear from brand experts on how they developed their brand’s identity.
APRIL
Online Marketing
with Mr. Faris Alami, Dr. Rassel Kassem, Dr. Muriel Zaatar and Ms. Charmaine Gangen
April 6th, 2023 at 1.30 pm GST
Via Zoom or AEIC 214 EMBA
This is a panel discussion where students learn from experts about the value and benefit of using online marketing tools including social media for launching their products and services.
FEBRUARY
Being a Founder
Panel Members: Mr. David Linklater, Dr. Muriel Zaatar, Mr. Riccardo Roggeri and Dr. Krista Keranen
February 17th, 2023 at 3.00 pm GST
Via Zoom or AEIC 214 EMBA
Learn from a panel of founders about their story, including the challenges and successes they experienced on their startup journey.
NOVEMBER
Pitch Day Prototype
with Ms. Mihaela Nina, Mr. Seif El Hakim, Dr. T.P Anand, Dr. Racha Abdrabbo, Dr. Ruchi Dana
November 23rd at 7:00 to 9:30 pm
AEIC Room 214, EMBA Bldg.
Mentor Feedback on the final pitch deck – a prototype where founders share human needs, solution prototypes, business models, and a roadmap of the next steps.
MAY
Final Demo Speech
with Mr. Saood Abdulrahman, Ms. Muna Al Marzooqui, Ms. Aisha Alazab,Mr. Riccardo Roggeri, Dr. Rassel Kassem, Dr. Charmaine Gangen
May 4th, 2023 at 1.30 pm GST
Via Zoom or AEIC 214 EMBA
This is the final Pitch made by the founders to AEIC’s Advisory Board, Dubai Next, and Industry experts for the evaluation of the market pitch deck.
FEBRUARY
Brand
Panel Members: Mr. Kamal Dimanchkie,
Dr. Rassel Kassem and Ms. Charmaine Gangen
February 21st, 2023 at 1.30 pm GST
Via Zoom or AEIC 214 EMBA
Get your creative juices flowing! Understand the creation of iconic brands and personalities through line drawing and aspirational case studies. Hear from brand experts how they developed their brand’s personality
NOVEMBER
Demo Day Plan
with Ayman AlMawla, Hassan Khayal, Dhiren Harchandani, Derek Watson.
November 17, 2020 at 11.30 am GST
Via Zoom
In this webinar, you will learn from Startup Founders and Funders about their journey and challenges they faced from an idea to pilot stage and how they got funding for their startup. You will get key insights into what new founders must focus on for their Demo day.
OCTOBER
What's Next
This webinar explores steps taken by a Founder from idea to Startup stage, from within a regional and local Startup scene. Organized as a speaker session involving a successful founder, the webinar focuses on understanding the difference between a Startup and Business, including key insights into Startup trends that will shape the decade for aspiring Start-ups.
OCTOBER
Sales and Marketing
This webinar looks into what startups must consider for Sales and Marketing during the Pilot stage within a regional and local Startup scene. Organized as a panel discussion involving a Funder and 2 Entrepreneurs’ perspectives, the webinar focuses on challenges faced by founders, including key insights on developing a feasible sales & marketing strategy for aspiring Start-ups.
OCTOBER
Branding in the Startup World
This webinar examines Branding from the perspective of an entrepreneur and an accelerator within a regional and local Startup scene. Organized as a panel discussion, the webinar focuses on aspects that will help enhance brand visibility, including key insights into branding do’s and don’ts for aspiring Start-ups.
SEPTEMBER
Importance of People and Teams within a Startup Environment
This webinar examines perspectives on what makes a successful Startup team, with focus on the regional and local Startup scene. Organized as a speaker session involving a successful founder, the webinar focuses on how Startups can find and build a right, strong and a cohesive team, including key insights into different startup roles and advice to aspiring Startup founders.
SEPTEMBER
Being a Founder
This webinar examines a Startup founders’ journey within the UAE’s ecosystem and broader regional Startup scene. Organized as a panel discussion involving three successful founders, the webinar focuses on a Founder’s journey from ideation to piloting of a product / service, including key insights into challenges faced by these founders and funding opportunities available for aspiring Start-ups.
OCTOBER
Raising a Seed Round
with Dhiren Harchandani, Ruchi Dana, Adel Mawla, Sacha Christie
October 27, 2020 at 11.30 am GST
Via Zoom
This webinar explores steps taken by a Founder from idea to Startup stage, from within a regional and local Startup scene. Organized as a speaker session involving a successful founder, the webinar focuses on understanding the difference between a Startup and Business, including key insights into Startup trends that will shape the decade for aspiring Start-ups.
OCTOBER
Pitching Your Business
This webinar examines Pitching and the audience’s role in a pitch design, from within a regional and local Startup scene. Organized as a panel discussion involving three successful founders, the webinar focuses on understanding what an investor looks for in a pitch, including key insights into the process of developing and refining pitches for aspiring Start-ups.
OCTOBER
Market Focus and Assesing Value
This webinar examines market sizing, segmentation, market opportunity and value proposition, from within a regional and local Startup scene. The webinar focuses on experiences that fulfil emotional and functional needs, including key insights into empathy-driven solutions based on people’s real needs.
SEPTEMBER
Go-To-Market Insights of an Investor and Entrepreneurs
This webinar examines Go-To-Market from the perspective of an investor and 2 founders within the UAE’s ecosystem and broader regional Startup scene. Organized as a panel discussion, the webinar focuses on the right time to go to market, understanding what a founder needs and funding timelines, including key insights into actual experiences for aspiring Start-ups to learn from.
SEPTEMBER
The Relevance of a Product-Market Fit for a Startup Founder
This webinar examines the Product-Market fit from Investor and Entrepreneur perspectives, from within a regional and local Startup scene. Organized as a panel discussion involving successful founders, the webinar focuses on meaning and importance of a Product-Market fit from ideation to prototype stage, including key insights and challenges faced.
JUNE
Bridging the gap between the Academics of Entrepreneurship and Real-world Business Realities
During the webinar, we will be taking a high level look into what’s happening in the world of entrepreneurship and the start-up scene regionally and locally with a focus on key trends, insights, and opportunities for incubators and accelerators. This webinar should serve as a thought starter amongst stakeholders, and a way to inspire and engage the minds of those involved in the Innovation Lab.
DECEMBER
Demo Pitch
Evaluators: Mr. Faris Alami, Mr. Cosmin Manea, Dr. Rassel Kassem, Mr. David Linklater, Ms. Alaina Conception, Dr. Ruchi Dana, Mr. Saood Abdulrahman, Ms. Muna Al Marzooqui
December 13th, 2022 at 3.00 pm GST
Via Zoom or AEIC 214 EMBA
Advisory Board, Dubai Next, and Industry Evaluation of Market Pitch Deck of Problem, Solution, Market, validation, Market Size, Prototype, Business Model, Market Adoption, Competition, Competitive Advantages, Team, Testimonials, Financials, and Crowd Funding Plan.
NOVEMBER
Incubation - Pitch 1
Evaluators: Ms. Ruchi Aggarwal, Dr. Ruchi Dana, and Mr. David Linklater
November 11th, 2022 at 2.00 pm GST
Via Zoom or AEIC 214 EMBA
Advisory Panel’s Customer Pitch Deck Evaluation of Founder Story, Human need, Customer Pain Points, Customer Journey, Ideas, Quick prototype to convey ideas, Value, Roles and Responsibilities, Next steps and Risks.
OCTOBER
Being a Founder
with Mr. Malachi Haliday, Mr. Ghaith Al Basthanli, and Mr. Cosmin Manea
October 14th, 2022 at 3:00 pm GST
Via Zoom or AEIC 218 EMBA
This incubation panel discussion is about founders sharing their different stories, challenges, and successes they experienced throughout their startup journey.
FEBRUARY
Raising a Seed Round
with Mr. Derek Watson, Dr. Ruchi Dana & Mr. Julian Charbel
February 21st, 2022 at 3:00 pm GST
Via Zoom or AEIC 214 EMBA
This session gives insights into how new entrepreneurs may raise capital for their new enterprise in challenging environments and which sources they could approach for funding.
NOVEMBER
Incubation - Pitch 2
Evaluators: Ms. Ruchi Aggarwal, Dr. Ruchi Dana, and Mr. David Linklater
November 18th, 2022 at 10.00 am GST
Via Zoom or AEIC 214 EMBA
Advisory Panel’s Prototype Pitch Deck Evaluation of Human need, Solution or Promise, Customer Touch Points, Value Proposition, Opportunity, Go to Market Plan, Business Model, Differentiation, Advertising Concept, Sales & Marketing, Risks, Team, Investment needed and Roadmap.
OCTOBER
Product Market Fit
with Mr. Seif El Hakim, Mrs. Ruchi Aggarval,
Ms. Anna Tkachenko, Mr. Faris Alami
October 21st, 2022 at 3:00 pm GST
Via Zoom or AEIC 218 EMBA
This incubation panel discussion is about understanding the importance of building a product from the customer’s perspective. The panel of experts shared valuable tips on how to achieve a product market fit for your startup.
MARCH
AEIC Introduction
with Mr. Raj Kapoor – Director of Admission and Dr. Sunitha Kshatriya – Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
Date: 29 March 2022
Via Zoom Meeting
This is an introductory seminar for new students informing them about AUD’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (AEIC).
The focus of this seminar is on how AEIC facilitates students to create their own start-ups by building entrepreneurial, innovative, and design-driven mindsets. Furthermore, AEIC helps them get their trade licenses and investments through AEIC’s investor network.
NOVEMBER
Raising a Seed Round
with Dr. Ruchi Dana, Mr. Kamal Dimachkie & Mr. Derek Watson
November 18th, 2021 at 3:00 pm GST Via Zoom or AEIC 214 EMBA
This incubation panel discussion provides insights into how new entrepreneurs can raise capital for their new start-ups in today's challenging environment and the various funding sources open to start-ups.
OCTOBER
Branding and Presentation
with Ms. Mihaela Nina & Ms. Karen Kassouf
October 7th, 2021 at 3:00 pm GST
Via Zoom or AEIC 214 EMBA
This incubation panel discussion informs new founders on how they can build branding into their presentation, whether it is for pitching or for showing to funders or for their target customers and highlights the central role played by branding.
JANUARY
Product-Market Fit Panel
with Mr. Tiberiu Iacomi, Dr. Vinod Pangracious, Dr. Ruchi Dana & Mr. Derek Watson
January 31, 2021 at 3.00 pm GST Via Zoom
This session highlights the importance of building a product from customers’ perspective and gives valuable tips on how to achieve a product-market fit.
SEPTEMBER
Product-Market Fit
with Mr. Derek Watson & Ms. Karen Kassouf
September 23rd, 2021 at 3:00 pm GST Via Zoom or AEIC 214 EMBA
This incubation panel discussion highlights the importance of building a product from customers perspective and gives valuable tips on how to achieve a product-market fit.
MARCH
Sales & Marketing Panel
with Ms. Mihaela Nina, Mr. Derek Watson, Ms. Maryam Yusuf & Mr. Kamal Dimachkie
March 21, 2021 at 3.00 pm GST Via Zoom
This session answers important questions on sales and marketing bringing out key differences between the two, showing what may be the best approach for a new startup.
FEBRUARY
Branding & Presentation Panel
with Ms. Karen Kassouf, Dr. Ruchi Dana & Mr. Kamal Dimachkie
February 21, 2021 at 3.00 pm GST Via Zoom
This session talks about how to build branding into one's presentation: for pitching, for funders, for customers. It highlights the central role played by branding.
NOVEMBER
Build Day Prototype
Panel Members: Dr. Anand T. P, Ms. Maria Duero, Ms. Laura Bakalka, Dr. Rassel Kassem, Ms. Injeel Moti, Mr. Shiju Babu
November 1st, 2024 at 3.00 pm GST
AEIC Room 214, EMBA Bldg.
Participants in the 'Build Day Prototype' session had the opportunity to present, test, and refine their ideas with the guidance of expert evaluators. This hands-on workshop fostered innovation and prepared entrepreneurs for future success.
SEPTEMBER
Leading Ventures to Success
Panel Discussion: Dr. Hassan Khayal, Mr. Deepak Ahuja, Ms. Maria Duero, Ms. Injeel Moti
September 24th, 2024 at 8.00 pm GST
AEIC Room 214, EMBA Bldg.
Join us for the ‘Leading Ventures to Success Session’ where you’ll learn the essentials of managing a new business and driving it towards success.
SEPTEMBER
Defining Creativity
Panel Discussion: Ayman Al Awadhi, Charmaine Gangen, Nathan Minns, Maria Duero, Elias Karam, Dipika Mallya
September 10th, 2024 at 8.00 pm GST
AEIC Room 214, EMBA Bldg.
Join us for the ‘Defining Creativity’ where you’ll gain insights from diverse perspectives and explore the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, and innovation.
FEBRUARY
Ideation Pitch Day Customer
Evaluators: Dr. Ruchi Dana, Ms. Mihaela Nina, Dr. Racha Abdrabbo, Dr. O.P Bohra, Dr. Tajwar Hussaini, Ms. Rita Aoun, Mr. Srikhar Reddy
February 22nd, 2024 at 1.30 pm GST
AEIC Room 214, EMBA Bldg.
Mentors evaluate new founder pitch decks that demonstrate customer validation and testing, customer needs, pain points and journey.
OCTOBER
Brand
Panel Members: Mr. Kamal Dimachkie, Ms. Laura Bakalka, Ms. Injeel Moti
October 11th, 2024 at 3.00 pm GST
AEIC Room 214, EMBA Bldg.
Join us for a session on 'Creating Iconic Brands', featuring case studies on aspirational brand work by experts. Dive into real-world examples of how iconic brands are made and discover the strategies behind their lasting success.
SEPTEMBER
Types of Ventures
Panel Discussion: Dr. Charmaine Gangen & Dr. Racha Abdrabbo
September 17th, 2024 at 8.00 pm GST
AEIC Room 214, EMBA Bldg.
Join us for the ‘Types of Ventures’ session. Explore the landscapes of new ventures, small businesses, and consulting services, and entrepreneurial innovations.
APRIL
Legal Matters in Startups
Legal Expert: Mr. Ayman Al Awadhi
April 4th, 2024 at 3.40 pm GST
AEIC Room 214, EMBA Bldg.
Examine legal issues for your startup and the critical role that lawyers play, including the value of intangibles such as patents, copyrights, trade secrets and trademarks within UAE.
APRIL
Pitch Day Market
Evaluators: Dr. Anand T.P, Mr. Salman Jaffrey, Ms. Lina El Kholy, Dr. Racha Abdrabbo, Dr. Rassel Kassem, Mr. Hara Abdul Rasheed
April 29th, 2025 at 1.30 pm GST
AEIC Room 214, EMBA Bldg.
Join us for an exclusive startup pitching session where you'll have the opportunity to present your priorities to a steering committee of Venture Capitalists and investors, gaining valuable insights and funding opportunities to accelerate your growth.
MARCH
Sources of Capital Entrepreneurs
Evaluators: Mr. Salman Jaffrey, Mr. Rony Hage, Ms. Hind Salih
March 25th, 2025 at 3.30 pm GST
AEIC Room 214, EMBA Bldg.
Join us for a panel session, where industry experts will guide you through the various sources of capital available to entrepreneurs.
Learn about funding opportunities, investment strategies, and how to position your startup for financial success.
FEBRUARY
Revisit your Business Hypothesis & Define your Minimum Viable Product
Evaluators: Mr. Riccardo Rogerri, Mr. Rony Hage, Ms. Hind Salih, Mr. Hara Abdul Rasheed
February 13th, 2025 at 2.00 pm GST
AEIC Room 214, EMBA Bldg.
Join us for an interactive session with expert panelists where you’ll learn how to refine your business hypothesis and build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that aligns with market needs. Gain valuable insights on what makes an MVP successful and how to test your product with real customers.
APRIL
Build Day Market
Evaluators: Dr. Anand T.P, Mr. Salman Jaffrey, Ms. Lina El Kholy, Dr. Racha Abdrabbo, Dr. Rassel Kassem, Mr. Hara Abdul Rasheed
April 24th, 2025 at 1.30 pm GST
AEIC Room 214, EMBA Bldg.
Join us for a speed pitching and mentoring session where you’ll have the opportunity to pitch to different mentors & industry experts quickly to get feedback on your journey and improve.
MARCH
Pitch Day Prototype
Evaluators: Dr. Anand T.P, Dr. Racha, Abdrabbo, Mr. Salman Jaffrey, Ms. Lina El Kholy, Mr. Ricardo Rogerri, Dr. Rassel Kassem, Ms. Hindi Salih
March 18th, 2025 at 1.30 pm GST
AEIC Room 214, EMBA Bldg.
Join us for Pitch Day - Prototype Readiness, where you will showcase your prototype to get feedback on the readiness from Industry Mentors and get expert feedback for improvement.