The Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan – int@j and Endeavor Jordan announced hosting their second investment matchmaking event; “DealMakers’ Weekend”; previously known as “Invest in ICT” which will be held on the 15-16 of February, 2014 in Amman – Four Seasons Hotel. The DealMakers’ Weekend is a regional investment event bringing together investors and companies operating in the ICT and ICT enabled services sectors to explore MENA investment opportunities in a setting that promotes networking, capacity building, and collaboration. This event is supported by the USAID Jordan Competitiveness Program (JCP), Umniah, King Abdullah II Fund for Development and Silatech, and in partnership with All World Network, Arabreneur, UK Trade & Investment, MIT Enterprise Forum, Plug and Play, Eureeca.com, Silicon Badia. DealMakers’ Weekend was announced during a press conference which took place on 2 February, 2014, at Umniah’s VIP U-Lounge in Abdoun.

The event was previously organized in March 2013 along the sidelines of the MENA ICT Forum, which garnered wide regional acclaim and was well received among investors. The Forum shed light on the importance of creating an exclusive platform that provides networking opportunities, showcases entrepreneurs’ qualifications and allows investors to engage and exchange expertise.

DealMakers’ Weekend is geared towards promoting the culture of exclusivity, creating a comfortable networking environment and advancing the region’s investment scene by placing a special focus on entrepreneurs and emerging companies operating within the ICT sector. DealMakers’ Weekend is aimed at building the capacities of entrepreneurs and investors alike, and providing them with the chance to interact with their regional and international counterparts. Some of the main investors joining are Ideavelopers, 212 Limited, Hummingbird, MENAIP, Silicon Badia, EBRD, Aventura, CISCO Venture Capital, Sadara Ventures, MBC Ventures, MENA Apps, Oasis 500, Leap Ventures, Jabbar Group, in addition to a number of regional leading ICT entrepreneurs from Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, UAE, KSA, Syria, and Lebanon.

One of the event’s key segments is the matchmaking sessions which will bring together business entrepreneurs with potential investors during one-on-one meetings. The event also features other activities that seek to enhance communication between companies and investors, in addition to open discussions and informal networking opportunities that strengthen relations between involved parties.

“Endeavor has been successful in organizing similar investor events around the world which includes the signature “speed networking” sessions. We are pleased to be organizing this 2nd gathering in Amman after the success of the first event earlier in 2013. By focusing on key growth sectors and investment opportunities we support the entrepreneurs who hold the key to sustained economic growth in the region by creating employment opportunities and generating revenues. The customized investor-to-entrepreneur connections is a learning experience for all entrepreneurs, even if they do not receive an investment.” said Rasha Manna, Managing Director of Endeavor Jordan

In turn, Abed Shamlawi, CEO at Int@j, commented, “We need to start focusing on building a regional ICT investment engine to ensure a solid and integral investment attraction. The DealMakers’ Weekend will allow companies around the region to promote their ideas and explore opportunities for better growth and expansion plans. Moreover, this platform is needed to bring all regional players together to continuously support in the learning curve for advancing our regional investment ecosystem and enable better linkages with international ecosystem”.

The CEO of Umniah, Ihab Hinnawi, said, “The importance of our participation in such an event comes within the framework of its central role in the telecommunications and information technology sector, especially that it’s witnessing many changes in this period. We at Umniah always seek to be the core supporter in all the activities that will help raising the private sector’s standards in the future.”

“The USAID Jordan Competitiveness Program is supporting the DealMakers’ Weekend because it is consistent with JCP’s sectoral focus and approach which aims to engage private and public sector stakeholders in a collaborative process to develop and implement business strategies based on growth drivers that respond to market demand and capitalize on competitive advantages” said Jamal Al Jabiri, sustainable Enabling Environment Component Lead at USAID JCP

“Supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs is a crucial component of KAFD’s strategy, especially within the ICT sector due to its important impact on the national economy in terms of enhancing growth, job creation and innovation. Indeed, this event will give Jordanian SMEs and Entrepreneurs the opportunity network with local and regional investors and counterparties; forming partnerships and share experiences.” Said Qias Qatamin, CEO at King Abdullah II Fund for Development.
According to Silatech CEO Dr. Tarik M. Yousef, “The Arab world has great potential to develop in the ICT sector, and few countries are as poised to benefit from this as Jordan. Throughout the region, we find bright, innovative, hard-working and ambitious young tech entrepreneurs hungry to develop new technologies and build businesses. The human capital is clearly there. However, there is a clear need to support the tech startup ecosystem by connecting entrepreneurs with financing opportunities, mentoring and business development services. With this objective in mind, we at Silatech are proud to support DealMakers’ Weekend.