Dubai Hosts TiE Global Summit

Innovation, networking, sustainability in full display at Tie Global Summit 2021 Dubai, reports Soniya Kirpalani

TiE’s largest ever Global Summit (TGS2021) saw more than 3,000 entrepreneurs, investors, VC’s, start-ups, world leaders, and TiE Charter Members from all across the world for the first time in the UAE. Dedicated to continuing the virtuous cycle of wealth creation and giving back to the community, TiE annually hosts this annual flagship conference for entrepreneurs. This year, the Dubai TiE Chapter brought the best in class of content – from speaker sessions, to mentoring, highlighting business trends and thought-provoking discussions -on the various aspects of entrepreneurship.

Embodying the core values of mentoring, networking, education, funding and incubation, the meeting at Expo 2020’s Dubai Exhibition Center saw TiE Dubai’s PK Gulati, Chair TGS, Founder SmartStart Fund, Mohammad Al Abbar, Chairman Emaar & Noon and an array of industry leaders attend the event.

Speaking on the need for social and economic courage and fearless capital, in the face of the new normal, Al Abbar highlighted futuristic character traits. Talking about how professional excellence and expert knowledge will bring the level of confidence to create success in any workplace situation and drive positive organizational performance.

Dubai a springboard

His keynote unleashed a wave of optimism across the entrepreneurial community, a sentiment echoed by Dr Aman Puri, Consul General of India-Dubai. Speaking about the disproportionate contribution of India to the Silicon Valley, his poignant question put a momentary pause in the mind of thought leaders, as he asked “But what about innovation?”.

Pointing out that India has been the second largest creators of unicorns in 2021, he shared how innovation superseded pandemic challenges, producing 36 unicorns across sectors; three unicorns were Indian expatriates from UAE.

Highlighting Dubai’s ability to offer a springboard to Indians, especially the 3.3 million expatriates living here, he highlighted how the country is a gateway to global growth. Indian expatriates, living act as living bridges between both countries and are contributing positively, at times of unprecedented challenges.

Shining the spotlight on the 30 million Indian diaspora, he spoke about their disproportionate contribution to the world, in science, technology, sports, politics and healthcare. Explain his point, he referred to his last posting in the UK, where he noticed ¼ of the dentists and 1/5 of the physicians were of Indian origin.

“Indians tend to become a part of their adopted countries, sharing values, positively contributing to their adopted countries, yet keeping their deep culture and connection with India,” he added.

Humbly thanking the leadership of UAE for their support, “Dubai is home to approximately 200 nationalities, with Indians being the largest mix. We received great support; the Indians here were treated well. We have not seen this level of collaboration from any other part of the world. I would like to thank the leadership for the exceptional care given to the Indian community. This brotherly relationship and easy connectivity which has directly resulted in Indians being the largest contingent of visitors to Expo2020, continuing to travel to UAE, even amidst lockdowns and breaking pandemics. Ending on a positive note, citing Dubai as a stellar example of growth, he applauded the   leadership by hosting Expo2020 to stimulate economic activity.”

Puri’s speech set the note for an intriguing storytelling session, by H.E. Omar Sultan Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications. The minister shared how leadership was a multifaceted phenomenon that may evolve differently, across different cultures, due to a wide variety of internal and external factors, but has a few cardinal points which sets a leader and his vision apart. The session also shared the history of Middle Eastern leadership and its legacy.

Narrating the life story of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Olama said how a young man, born in a sandy desert, underdeveloped, with no economy and no infrastructure breamed big and worked tirelessly to develop the country into what it is now. 

Olama said, “Having dreams is good but not without having ambition. 1n 1999, the current ruler of Dubai launched the Dubai Internet City and kept on betting and winning. His conviction came from a darker chapter of Middle Eastern 1455 AD. Until that year, the Middle East was a thriving region, known for exporting math, science and culture. It was in that year that the region banned the printing press. This simple invention led to progress, creating a renaissance for the world but the Middle East fell backwards. In the era of technology, where everyone else was using it as a positive force, the region become non relevant. That is when Sheikh Mohammed noticed another technological revolution and decided to be the change he wanted to see, addressing the unknown to make something bigger and better.”

Sharing the region’s roadmap, its commitment to collective growth, Olama said, “I disagree that data is the oil of the future. Right data and right use of data is the oil of the future.” 

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Dubai is home to 200 cultures and communities; this density allows the country to collect diverse and dense data for growth. Cutting edge innovation comes from this diversity of thinking talent, mindsets, and culture. Highlighting Indians, calling them the largest innovators of talent, science, technology, he spoke about India’s contribution to UAE’s growth.

“Today is our tomorrow” he stated. Inviting Indian entrepreneurs to join in and reinvent the future, he won a huge applause “We are not a country in the world. We are the world in a country. A country of dreamers, and we invite each one of you to be a part of this dream.”

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