Arab Innovation and Entrepreneurship Network (AIEN) promotes cooperation and the sharing of cross-expertise between start-ups
The Arab Innovation and Entrepreneurship Network (AIEN) has been instrumental in enhancing the growth and international reach of start-ups within the Arab region since its inception in 2013.
Supported by ITU’s Arab Regional Office, AIEN focuses on creating substantial impacts in the incubator and technopark communities by fostering expertise, training, and knowledge exchange. The network significantly emphasizes building collaborations and business exchanges between Arab companies and start-ups, alongside key stakeholders in the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
One of the notable initiatives under AIEN was the “Assistance to Arab Technoparks and Incubators Network” project. This project was developed in collaboration with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) of Saudi Arabia. It aimed to bolster entrepreneurship and innovation by facilitating opportunities for companies to establish connections and expand into other participating countries. The initiative concluded in June 2023, highlighted by a soft-landing program that specifically aimed at supporting the international growth and expansion of early-stage start-ups and established SMEs.
This soft-landing program was pivotal for start-ups from the region, as it provided them with a platform to explore business ecosystems and networks in various Arab countries, aiding them in understanding and comparing business models across borders, and creating opportunities for partnerships. The program supported start-ups with legal and business advice from partnering incubators, which played a crucial role in structuring and guiding the entrepreneurs through their expansion phases.
The success of AIEN and its projects like these not only underscores the importance of cooperative efforts across the Arab States but also sets a benchmark for future initiatives aimed at nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. The efforts by the ITU Regional Office have been instrumental in advancing these initiatives, fostering a rich environment for innovation and entrepreneurship across the Arab region. We are now looking forward to increased support from donors in the region to continue and expand this impactful work.
ITU Global Innovation Forum 2024
As part of ongoing efforts to advance global digital innovation, ITU-D has organized the ITU Global Innovation Forum 2024, hosted by the Government of Malta through the Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects.
Under the theme “Shaping our Digital Futures for Prosperity and Well-Being for All”, the event will discuss the most pressing digital innovation needs of countries, as well as global trends. It will feature high-level panels, keynotes and roundtable discussions, and serve as a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices, networking and promoting the development of digital innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurship across the globe.
Register & join us from 28-30 October 2024 in Valletta, Malta!
This is an ITU Development #DigitalImpactUnlocked story
About the project
Project number: 9RAB19028
Project title: Assistance to Arab Technoparks and Incubators Network
Description: The main objective of the project is to provide assistance to ARTECNET members and to develop cooperation and business exchange between Arabic companies and start-ups as well as Arabic Incubators and Technoparks.
Visit the project page for more details.
