The second phase of the Fikra Program 2018, which is dedicated to mentoring the participants, commenced earlier this February after all participants went through a series of mandatory entrepreneurship training programs spanning three months.
Sponsored by the Gulf Bank for the second consecutive year, the Fikra Program is an intensive entrepreneurship training program that aims to empower up-and-coming entrepreneurs in the region to come up with the necessary know-how of making impeccable business strategies for future growth. The participants receive extensive training in areas such as technical skills, leadership skills, financial analysis, investment opportunities, media exposure, and more.
The mentoring program began with a networking session where Fikra Program entrepreneurs got together with 15 mentors from different industries. Once the initial networking is over, the participants are given a chance to meet with their mentors on a weekly basis.
The final leg of the program will kick start in April 2018 where the participating entrepreneurs will be given a platform to pitch their ideas to investors and the general public.
The Fikra 2018 closing ceremony will be followed by the annual AIM Startup Pitch Competition where some Fikra entrepreneurs from the second and third editions of the program will participate.
The AIM Startup Pitch Competition 2018 will be hosted at the Dubai World Trade Center under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
“We are glad that participants of Fikra Program are progressing as planned and making use of every single opportunity offered to them. We see great potential in each individual and wish the whole group best of luck. Looking forward to the final ceremony and the upcoming editions of this successful program,” said Laila AlQatami, Assistant General Manager for Corporate communications at Gulf Bank.
