Top 10 Takeaways from #GITEX2023

Last week I attended the Expand North Star GITEX GLOBAL Largest Tech & Startup Show in the World conference in Dubai courtesy of Included VC x MENA Technology Fund (MTF) . Here's a few things that I took away:

1. Included VC is an undeniable world class home for diverse global network of investors that are supportive and truly care! Led by the evergreen Nikita Thakrar Anu Panesar , and supported by incredible leaders in Chris Tottman Oscar Farres Omar Hassan & many others, its presence reverberated across the conference.
2. The startup ecosystem in the MENA region is growing rapidly. Technology innovation in the UAE will accelerate beyond expectations in the next 10 years. I’m excited about the ambition of 40 unicorns by 2030!?
3. There is a growing demand for talent in the MENA region's startup ecosystem. Startups are looking for talented people to join their teams, and VCs are looking for talented founders to build and launch venture scalable companies.
4. Outside of the startup factories, there’s a growing opportunity for accelerators, incubators, venture building studios and tech transfer labs to fast-track the moment in the ecosystem.??
5. UAE (esp. Dubai) is positioned as and represents an exciting market growth entry point for startups that are looking to service the MENA region. Dubai is great place to start a business or set up operations from for existing startups. Hans Larsen was clear on this! There is also an increasing demand for startups that are solving local problems, addressing the specific needs in the region.
6. Startups are still struggling with lack of access to funding and access to experienced mentors/ angel investors in the region. I met with founders from Tehran, Iran that are considering to relocate.?
7. Most GPs fundraising from LPs in the MENA region are somewhat expected to demonstrate how funds can also help catalyze the region’s technology innovation ecosystem. I foresee a refresh of investment strategies!
8. GPs are founders too, dealing with the fundraising stress, performance of current funds, managing portcos and constantly looking for new investment opportunities is daunting especially for solo GPs.
9. The collaborative spirit between African VCs and other MENA region focused VCs is encouraging.?I look forward to investing alongside VestedWorld (S/O Peter Wamburu ), Enza Capital (S/O Eugene Mutiso ), Sunny Side Venture Partners (S/O Sadaharu Saiki )
10. AI, metaverse and cyber are key technologies that are attracting interest, from improving everything from customer service, gaming to healthcare.

Representing the Microtraction brand was both exciting and intimidating but made me appreciate the faith Dayo Koleowo has in those that recently broke into VC, like me. Constantly "pitching" our investment thesis, our portfolio companies (S/O GetEquity (Techstars ‘23) Rayda that pitched at GITEX), and why we are agnostically investing as a pan-African pre-seed fund was an honor!