Why GITEX?
GITEX turned 38 this year. That is also age when many have a mid life crisis.
This is our take on how GITEX has aged.
Has it stopped being relevant today or like the other thing that launched in 1981, it continues to be the Tech mecca it set out to be.
Here is our perspective on GITEX Future Stars (GFS). Fellow (or future) entrepreneurs, read on.
You cannot just dip your toes into GITEX.
As an exhibitor, investor, or a visitor, you have to be a willing student.
You need to be willing to put in the hours, the effort and the ability to survive the crazy buzz created by 700+ startups.
In order for you to thoroughly sift through Zabeel Halls 4, 5 and 6 and all that they contain, this year we had 4 days - October 14 – 17, 2018.
What helps stay committed?
The incredibly clear agenda.
The Hype is real. 4 action packed days are a lot to take in.
The efficiently colour coded and tagged agenda, lets you know events ‘Open to All’ v/s those that are ‘Invite Only’.
We loved the ease of browsing while not being overwhelmed to avoid attending the exhibition altogether.
What do you get out of it?
It gives you a taste of things to expect if you are on the fence about starting your entrepreneurial journey.
You can register to attend for free! Do the research you need to make that decision.
- Scope out trends from sustainable solutions.
- Do your homework. Check if your idea has been built into a start up by someone yet.
- Scout for potential co-founders &/or collaborators.
- #MeetTheMentors courtesy DTEC and StartupBootcamp this year.
- Access multiple Incubators and Hubs from the UAE and beyond.
Simply put, if you can bring yourself to the conference, your battle is half won.
Some start ups even got a chance to exhibit in sponsored pods. This saved them some serious start up moola while enabling them to engage with a wide audience.
What limits you?
As a visitor, the access was limited. The 10X stage, for example, was open to exhibitors, investors, students and members of the media only. Key panel discussions and presentations showcased here were off limits.
Also guarded like THE vault.
We decided to conduct an interview with an incubator representative in the Investors lounge. (More about the lounge later.)
We had a Media badge. The rep had his Investor badge. But the entry was no stroll in the park.
The Security Officials ensured we were going in for productive work and would not be disturbing ongoing conversations.
They kept a continuously updated list of names of people accessing the lounge.
What do you do? (check this out)
Pitch your heart out!
GITEX Future Stars took care to ensure there is an ‘apples to apples’ comparison for start up.
The Innovation Cup was an entirely different class of competitions - An international competition inviting start ups to answer leading corporate and Government entities’ challenges creating solutions with market potential.
Four Innovation Cups were conducted at this year’s edition.
Each came with its own guidelines, deadlines and application process.
The Kings College Hospital London Innovation Challenge was looking for medical innovation.
Another competition was organised specifically for Social Impact start ups.
The big one - SuperNova challenge - was open to all.
Survival of the Fittest
Where the ‘apples to apples’ ended, the general marketplace began.
You had to be confident presenting your early stage company competing with start ups at different growth stages, in diverse consumer markets and countries.
GFS gives you the reality check you need as a start up founder.
The Best Part
Access to potential investors in real time.
An interesting fixture at GFS was the Investors Lounge. Yes, the one guided like a vault.
There were different ways to get the word out and seek start up dollars.
Start ups could reserve slots with potential investors online or on spot. One on one interaction in a relatively private setting goes a long way in getting your point across.
In Conclusion
Growth of start ups, in number, value, and innovation are pivotal for a healthy ecosystem. Acknowledgement of this importance goes a long way in sustaining them.
This year, to show their support to the start up ecosystem,
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Head of UAE Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Social Development,
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai,
H.E. Mr. Mohammad Abdulla Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the future of the UAE and the Chairman of the Executive Office of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Government of Dubai,
all paid a visit to GITEX Future Stars 2018.
From a dancing robot to a robot that eats trash, this edition had something for everyone.
You could pick from among the various categories of start ups. Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), AI (Artificial Intelligence), Social Entrepreneurship, to name a few.
Like many other incredible innovations of 1981, GITEX has only gotten better with time.
Will we be there at GITEX Future Stars 2019?
Yes!
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