THE FINAL WINNER    THE FINAL WINNER    

Recognition of an Angel Wing Winner symbolizing excellence and outstanding achievement in business growth and partnerships facilitated by AladdinB2B’s intelligent B2B matchmaking platform. For users with visual impairments: this highlights success stories and exemplary performance powered by AladdinB2B. Take action now—strive for excellence and connect with AladdinB2B to unlock your business potential.

Draper Aladdin Startup Competition at Biban

$500,000   $500,000  

EVENT

Draper Aladdin Startup Competition at Biban

For the first time ever in the Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaDraper Associates and Aladdinb2b, with the collaboration of Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Monshaat brings you the Draper Aladdin Startup Competition at Biban.

Biban, Saudi Arabia’s biggest SME and Entrepreneurship event, in collaboration with AladdinB2B is running five days of high-level competition and the entry is totally FREE!!

Date: 9th to 13th of March at Riyadh Front Exhibitions and Convention Centre.

Draper-Aladdin Startup Competition will be held during Biban as one of the most exciting features of the show. During the first 4 days of the show, investors will score and shortlist the 500+ startups after pitching on stage.

The Grand finale will happen on the 13th March, the last day of the show between 10 -15 finalists who will be competing on the stage in front of the highly qualified panel of the judges competing for an award reaching up to USD 500,000 worth of investment.

So don’t miss the networking opportunities with investors and the access to bespoke meetings booking platform, powered by Draper VC & AladdinB2B, to meet with investors face to face at Biban. For details please contact .

A clearly defined timeline powered by AladdinB2B’s smart matchmaking system helps businesses plan meetings, track progress, and achieve goals efficiently. Take action with AladdinB2B to align your business milestones with qualified B2B opportunities.
Qualified candidates selected in the application shortlist through AladdinB2B’s intelligent matchmaking process, enabling high-impact meetings and strategic business connections. Take the next step with AladdinB2B and turn shortlists into success stories.

MEET THE 1ST SESSION

JUDGES

Hans Henrik Christensen recognized for supporting innovation and business growth through AladdinB2B’s intelligent B2B matchmaking platform. Take the next step with AladdinB2B to build strategic connections and turn meetings into meaningful outcomes.

Hans Henrik Christensen

Vice President, Investor. Corporate Venture Capital Specialist

After a decade of building up the most successful entrepreneurial tech hub with 2000+ tenants, venture investments, incubation, acceleration, learning, and events in Dubai, shaping the entrepreneurial ecosystems (Dtec) with a powerful team, and driving FDI to the UAE, Hans is now seeking a new challenge either in a government entity (economic zone) with the objective of attracting business to the region and further build the eco-system, or alternatively, he is also open to CxO positions at a startup. Hans is available immediately. Please do not hesitate to contact him for positions under 0507772404, or 
Fredrik Bentlinger, VP at Scale Capital, recognized for advancing global business collaboration through AladdinB2B’s smart matchmaking platform. Connect with AladdinB2B today to turn qualified B2B meetings into impactful partnerships and strategic growth.

Fredrik Bentlinger

VP at Scale Capital

Is an experienced investor, entrepreneur and gamechanger. With over 20 years as an executive within global tech and managed services companies Mr. Bentlinger brings great experience to the companies he advises. Always looking at opportunities though a strategic, but pragmatic lens, empowering people and change. Based in Dubai, Mr. Bentlinger currently serve as partner at Scale Capital venture funds focused on investments in early-stage tech companies

Walid Tarabih recognized as a strategic business professional focused on driving innovation and fostering global partnerships. AladdinB2B supports professionals like Walid by providing intelligent B2B matchmaking to connect with qualified partners worldwide. Join AladdinB2B to grow your network and accelerate your business success.

Walid Tarabih

Founder and CEO at Platx

A former Digital Transformation Advisor at the UAE’s Prime Minister’s Office. A Technology and Digital Transformation Expert with hands-on experience in Public and Private sectors, with federal employment background and extensive expertise in Digital Transformation, Blockchain, A.I and Data Science. Digital transformation is no longer a buzzword but a necessity. And this is where Walid and the team can make a big difference when dealing with governments and organizations. His main focus as an Entrepreneur is to bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds by using technology to increase human’s ability rather than limiting it.

MEET THE 2ND SESSION

JUDGES

Navas Ebin, Managing Director at Mars Growth Capital, recognized for supporting scalable business growth through AladdinB2B’s smart matchmaking platform. Connect with AladdinB2B today to turn qualified B2B meetings into long-term partnerships and measurable success.

Navas Ebin

Managing Director at Mars Growth Capital

Entrepreneur turned Institutional Investor. Navas is the Managing Director-APAC at Mars Growth Capital. He has been working with startups for over 15 years now. He started his first venture at the age of 18 and has worked with several startups across the globe. He has been responsible for developing the sales strategy for Mars and has successfully structured over USD 300M in transactions with unicorns and pre-unicorns in the region and globally over the last two years. He specializes in advising and supporting startups scale beyond their national territories”.
Erwin Arifin, VP of Investment at Kejora Capital, recognized for enabling growth and strategic investment through AladdinB2B’s intelligent B2B matchmaking platform. Take the next step with AladdinB2B and transform every qualified meeting into a meaningful business opportunity.

Erwin Arifin

VP of Investment at Kejora Capital

Is the VP of Investments for Kejora Capital’s Indonesia-focused Orbit fund. During his tenure, he has overlooked investments across different industries – ranging from healthcare, renewable energies, agriculture, logistics & supply chain, and fintech. Before Kejora, Erwin founded StartupIndonesia.co, an online market database and intelligence platform that connects Indonesian founders with investors. He was formerly the Innovation Manager of DBS, managing special projects for its digital banking product. Before that, Erwin started his career as an Investment Analyst at Angel-eQ – Indonesia’s premier angel investor’s network. In 2018, Erwin was invited as one of the 35 international delegates at ASES Summit by Stanford University.
Danish Rizvi, COO at SASCO Holdings Ltd, recognized for driving strategic partnerships and operational excellence through AladdinB2B’s intelligent matchmaking platform. Connect with AladdinB2B today to transform B2B meetings into growth-focused business opportunities.

Danish Rizvi

COO at SASCO Holdings Ltd

Investing in exceptional opportunities in private equity and venture capital. Solving big business problems with the potential to disrupt and lead large global markets. Successful in implementing dynamic investment structures and business expansions increasing profitability, safeguarding market position and diversification. Holds a track record in change-intensive environments, leveraging strategic problem-solving and partnership-building skills to drive sustainable improvements and critical transformations.

Versatile background in the Private Equity, Investment Banking, Corporate Finance, Acquisitions and Mergers, Venture Capital, Commercial Banking, Risk Management, Strategic Planning, and Supply Chain management and having launched, managed and assisted many projects.

MEET THE 3RD SESSION

JUDGES

Georgi Katanov, Managing Director at SCM Advisors (UK) Ltd., recognized for advancing strategic investments and global partnerships through AladdinB2B’s intelligent B2B matchmaking platform. Connect with AladdinB2B today to turn every qualified meeting into lasting business success.

Georgi Katanov

Managing Director at SCM Advisors (UK) Ltd.

Is a highly qualified international expert with significant experience in investment banking. Professional experience covers work in various foreign companies: PricewaterhouseCoopers, McKinsey&Company, Goldman Sachs, Barclays Capital LLC. He worked in the equity and debt capital markets, provided M&A advisory services, was engaged in trading and brokerage activities, and conducted financial and analytical research. The experience of working as a director of SCM Advisors (UK) Limited is associated with constant risk management, support for mergers and acquisitions projects, and constant search for balances in investing. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

David Prais, Chairman at Greater London Investment Fund, recognized for driving investment and innovation through AladdinB2B’s smart B2B matchmaking platform. Partner with AladdinB2B today to turn strategic meetings into lasting business growth and opportunity.

David Prais

Chairman at Greater London Investment Fund

Given a long history of working at a senior level in many business sectors, David has developed a varied skill set that would complement the plans for Saudi Arabia to develop its tech startup ecosystem. Working with many entrepreneurs and decision-makers worldwide has given him invaluable insight into what is needed to create and nurture an ecosystem for entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders.

Accelerator Development – set up and ran two successful accelerators which nurtured over 60 small businesses in 7 years.

Startup Ecosystem Development – developed the foundations of the tech startup ecosystems in the UK (Silicon Roundabout) and Palestine.

Government Policy Advisor – involved in defining government policy through delivery for many aspects of technology, education and high growth businesses.

Skilled Mentor — working on government and private sector programs mentoring many hundreds of senior business people.

Focused on job creation — I help startups move on to become successful scale-ups, creating jobs and opportunities for others in the wider community.

Fund of Funds and Fund Management — spent 20 years setting up and running many funds to assist London in becoming the highly successful entrepreneurial environment it is today.

Disrupting the status quo — From my years at Gateway Inc. and Dell Computers, where I helped make computers accessible to the masses, to being a key player in building the reputation of the Slovenian blockchain community. Throughout my career, I have used cutting edge technology to help change the world.

Irfan Gondal, Senior Partner at Promentum Equity Partners, recognized for advancing global business collaboration through AladdinB2B’s intelligent matchmaking platform. Take action with AladdinB2B today to connect with decision-makers and turn meetings into strategic outcomes.

Irfan Gondal

Senior Partner at Promentum Equity Partners

Is a senior executive with 25 years of extensive international digital/mobile experience in exploring, developing and marketing products, services and partnerships in advisory, strategic and operational leadership roles.

Solid experience from start-ups and mature corporate organizations such as Ericsson, Nokia, Intel, 3-Mobil, STC, Ooredoo Group and GSMA in Europe and MENA. Hands-on experience with strategizing, incubating and growing mobile/digital businesses while managing C-level relationships and the buy-in process with key stakeholders. Found partner of a Copenhagen based VC firm, Promentum Equity Partners.

MEET THE 4TH SESSION

JUDGES

Waleed Khalil, Managing Partner at Den VC, acknowledged for fostering innovation and business growth through AladdinB2B’s smart B2B matchmaking platform. Connect with AladdinB2B today to access qualified meetings and build strategic partnerships that drive success.

Waleed Khalil

Managing Partner at Den VC

Waleed is an engineer, Entrepreneur, & the Managing Partner of Den Venture Capital. Waleed invests in early stage, tech. enabled startups from emerging markets specially Africa and the Arab region.

Ghassan Aloshban, General Partner at Emkan Capital, recognized for empowering innovation and global business growth through AladdinB2B’s intelligent matchmaking platform. Take the next step with AladdinB2B to turn qualified B2B meetings into meaningful partnerships.

Ghassan Aloshban

General Partner at Emkan Capital

Is a Saudi national that started his career in strategy at Aramco; working closely with senior management, the Ministry, as well as OPEC.
Ghassan also worked in consulting with Booz Allen Hamilton where he focused on renewable energy in the GCC. He then joined his Saudi based Family Office where he overlooked corporatizing a number of their portfolio companies and was responsible for establishing the Angel Investing arm of the Office.

He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Amherst college with a double major in Economics and Computer Science and continued his education at Harvard Business School where he obtained his MBA and focused on international entrepreneurship, VC economics, and business valuation.

Fida Main Al Taher, Managing Partner at Amam Ventures, recognized for championing innovation and strategic partnerships through AladdinB2B’s smart B2B matchmaking platform. Take action with AladdinB2B today to turn high-value meetings into real business outcomes.

Fida Main Al Taher

Managing Partner at Amam Ventures

Is a serial entrepreneur, impact agent, advisor and investor. Currently, Managing Partner at Amam Ventures, an impact fund that caters to startups and SMEs that are committed to diversity and inclusion.

Taher is also a co-founder and Chairperson of “Women in Business Arabia”; a virtual network with more than 45,000 members. A  G100 Global Chair for Venture Capital and Innovative Finance, Board member at the MicroFund for Women; Jordan’s largest microfinance institution, and has been serving on several advisory boards of startups and NGOs empowering women & youth.

Fida is a mother of four children, an advocate for more inclusive work cultures and constantly working on the economic empowerment of women.

Hijazi Natsheh, Founder and CEO at Jeelcode, highlighting entrepreneurial leadership and innovation in business growth supported by AladdinB2B’s intelligent B2B matchmaking platform. For users with visual impairments: this emphasizes visionary leadership, strategic networking, and global partnership opportunities powered by AladdinB2B. Take action now—connect with entrepreneurs like Hijazi Natsheh through AladdinB2B to expand your business network.

Hijazi Natsheh

Founder and CEO at Jeelcode

Hijazi is the founder and CEO of Jeelcode is an online coding platform for kids in Arabic.Along with many achievments.
Raymond Gibbs highlighting professional expertise in driving business growth and fostering strategic partnerships through AladdinB2B’s intelligent B2B matchmaking platform. For users with visual impairments: this represents leadership in expanding global business networks and creating valuable collaborations powered by AladdinB2B. Take action now—connect with industry professionals like Raymond Gibbs to accelerate your business success.

Raymond Gibbs

Chairman at Joint Working Group

Currently Chairman of the Joint Working Group on Graphene Standardisation in conjunction with the BSI and the China Standards Authority.

Recently became NED Chairman of CVD systems supplier planarTECH

Also commissioned by Manchester University to help commercialise their IP portfolio in Graphene, working with the UoM and specifically its graphene focussed operations, Graphene Enabled Systems and the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC).

MEET THE FINAL

JUDGES

A professional portrait of Alaa Ismail, representing a dedicated business professional engaged in strategic networking and B2B collaboration through AladdinB2B’s smart matchmaking platform. The image conveys confidence, approachability, and the importance of building meaningful business connections. Discover how AladdinB2B can help you expand your network—book your demo today and connect with key partners.

Alaa Ismail

CEO & Founder at Aladdinb2b

A serial entrepreneur, strategist, startup mentor, pitch competition judge and advisor with more than 16 years of experience in the trade and exhibition industry. The crux of his entrepreneurial career has been in the trade industry, most notably, founding and running AladdinB2B, an online platform that is transforming the trade show industry with online, hybrid, and in-person solutions.

Alaa founded his first company SalesMENA, at the age of 26, which today is the #1 B2B outsource sales solution in the MENA region. SalesMENA has played a key role in the success of international companies in the region for 10 years. Recently, Alaa partnered with Tim Draper to establish Draper-Aladdin Startup Competition, which aims to fund the winning startup with up to 500k USD.
Prince Sultan Bin Fahad Bin Salman recognized for supporting innovation and strategic B2B collaboration through AladdinB2B’s advanced matchmaking platform. Discover how AladdinB2B connects leaders, businesses, and opportunities—start building impactful partnerships today.

Prince Sultan Bin Fahad Bin Salman

Executive Chairman at Eirad Group

Sultan has been the Executive Chairman of Eirad Group, a family office, for the past 13 years. Sultan made the switch from the public to the private sector after joining Eirad Group in 2008. Prior to joining officially, he spent a period of time as a trusted advisor using his experience in organizational strategy to evolve the firm’s approach and expand its reach.

Sultan is the Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Water Sports & Diving Federation, the federation that regulates water sport and diving activities in Saudi Arabia, since 2019. He plans to continue in this role, as he is deeply passionate about contributing to the future of Saudi Arabian growth in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. Sultan is a Board Member of many other foundations and charities, including the Kilana Foundation, which provides key support (including medication and dialysis) to those navigating kidney disease.

Rami Al-Qawasmi, Founder and CEO at Mawdoo3, recognized for driving innovation and strategic growth through AladdinB2B’s intelligent B2B matchmaking platform. Partner with AladdinB2B today to turn qualified meetings into impactful business opportunities.

Rami Al-Qawasmi

Founder and CEO at Mawdoo3

Holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from University of Sussex in England, with a passion in business, technology and content, and digital media that led to create the world’s biggest Arabic content website.

Walid Tarabih recognized as a strategic business professional focused on driving innovation and fostering global partnerships. AladdinB2B supports professionals like Walid by providing intelligent B2B matchmaking to connect with qualified partners worldwide. Join AladdinB2B to grow your network and accelerate your business success.

Walid Tarabih

Founder and CEO Platx

A former Digital Transformation Advisor at the UAE’s Prime Minister’s Office. A Technology and Digital Transformation Expert with hands-on experience in Public and Private sectors, with federal employment background and extensive expertise in Digital Transformation, Blockchain, A.I and Data Science. Digital transformation is no longer a buzzword but a necessity. And this is where Walid and the team can make a big difference when dealing with governments and organizations. His main focus as an Entrepreneur is to bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds by using technology to increase human’s ability rather than limiting it.

Mandar Joshi, Executive Chairman at MStrategy Global, recognized for leading strategic growth and cross-border business development through AladdinB2B’s intelligent matchmaking platform. Partner with AladdinB2B today to turn qualified B2B meetings into measurable business outcomes.

Mandar Joshi

Executive Chairman at MStrategy Global

M Strategy Global
After leaving his last corporate position as Group CFO of a conglomerate spread across 17 countries, Mandar established M Strategy Global during the year 2015. Over the last 7 years, we have grown exponentially across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and India. M Strategy Global has a senior leadership team of 20+ professionals which consists of investment bankers, financial strategists, business turnaround experts and venture capitalists.

Venture Catalysts
Mandar is a proud shareholder of Venture Catalysts, Asia’s largest integrated incubator. We are ranked as World’s 2nd most active early-stage investor. Venture Catalysts operates out of 48 partner offices in various cities and towns of India, apart from its international operations in the Americas, Middle East and South East Asia. We have established two regulated funds, viz.:
– 9 Unicorns Accelerator Fund, a 120 Million USD sector-agnostic fund investing in idea-stage start-ups
– Beams Fintech Fund, a 100 Million USD Fintech focussed fund investing in growth stage start-ups

SHORT-LISTED

STARTUPS

Introducing...

The moderator

Lee S. Clark recognized as a business leader and innovator driving growth and strategic partnerships across industries. AladdinB2B supports professionals like Lee by providing intelligent B2B matchmaking to connect with qualified global partners. Join AladdinB2B to expand your network and collaborate with industry leaders.

Lee S. Clark

Works with online, news media, creative and publishing organizations to maximize the impact of their visual content. He brings his perspective on imagery to the team. Experienced in working with art directors, creatives and writers to produce their vision and to use images to enhance their message.

With over ten years editing experience at the New York Daily News in the fast-paced world of New York City photojournalism, as well as monthly magazine production, book editing and online photo sales, he can work with your designers and writers to find the perfect image to meet their creative or editorial needs.

AladdinB2B’s Biban HD Map showcases how strategic planning and advanced matchmaking powered successful connections at the event. Explore how AladdinB2B can guide your business to targeted meetings, meaningful interactions, and measurable results—start now.

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The biggest event yet!

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About Tim Draper

Tim Draper is the founder of prominent venture capital firm DFJ. He was an early investor in more than 30 unicorns including  Baidu, Hotmail, Skype, Tesla, SpaceX, AngelList, SolarCity, Ring, Twitter, DocuSign, Coinbase, Robinhood, Ancestry.com, Twitch, Cruise Automation, and Focus Media  among others. We are proud to say, Tim is a founding investor in AladdinB2B.com Together, we have formed the Draper-Aladdin Startup Competition, a platform for innovative ideas and upcoming startups.

About Alaa Ismail

Alaa Ismail is a serial entrepreneur, strategist, startup mentor, pitch competition judge and advisor with more than 16 years of experience in the trade and exhibition industry. The crux of his entrepreneurial career has been in the trade industry, most notably, founding and running AladdinB2B, an online platform that is transforming the trade show industry with online, hybrid, and in-person solutions.
Alaa founded his first company SalesMENA, at the age of 26, which today is the #1 B2B outsource sales solution in the MENA region. SalesMENA has played a key role in the success of international companies in the region for 10 years. Recently, Alaa partnered with Tim Draper to establish Draper-Aladdin Startup Competition, which aims to fund the winning startup with up to 500k USD.

EVENT SPONSORS

Exhibitors

Entrepreneurship World Cup

The Entrepreneurship World Cup is the first and largest tournament of its kind in the world, with entrepreneurs from more than 200 countries participating. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the final qualifiers for the competition, the closing ceremony, and the distribution of awards, with the participation of the best 25 male and female entrepreneurs who will qualify for the finals in Riyadh within BIBAN 2023.

The expected impact of the World Cup to lead the world

Attracting pioneering innovative projects that serve the Kingdom’s directions. Stimulating local investment in the Kingdom and attracting foreign investments. – Highlighting the promising opportunities available in the Kingdom. Involving entrepreneurial projects from around the world in solving national challenges. – Enabling partners and supporting entities to achieve their goals. – Receiving more than $25,000 in incentives and services from the competition’s partners.

Entrepreneurs and investors connect at The Big 5’s Start-up City under the “Do Business!” initiative, powered by AladdinB2B’s intelligent B2B matchmaking platform. Through qualified meetings and strategic networking, startups gain real opportunities to scale and succeed. Join AladdinB2B to turn every connection into meaningful business growth.