Ten Kuwaiti startups, part of the Zain Great Idea (ZGI) accelerator program, have arrived in the Silicon Valley to take part in workshops organized by the partnering organization Mind the Bridge. The young entrepreneurs will spend two weeks in the heart of California to benefit from training sessions, workshops and meetings with industry insiders and local entrepreneurs.
The program also includes classes and workshops with Orrick legal advisory firm. The non-traditional law office is considered the second oldest company in San Francisco. Known for its expertise in innovation and technology, Orrick clients include Facebook and many other international tech giants.
Before joining the Mind the Bridge program, the Kuwaiti entrepreneurs had the unique opportunity to attend the preparatory ZGI boot camp in the Zain corporate headquarters. They had the chance to learn more about the tech startup culture from leading experts in the field, including Stanford University professors, IE Business School mentors, and personal experiences of local established entrepreneurs. Among the domestic speakers and mentors were the Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Middle East Aby Sam Thomas, Fadi Ghandour, the founder of Aramex, Mohammad Al-Hajeri, Chief Investment Officer at Impulse International, Malek Osseiran, the Head of LinkedIn GCC, and more. Representatives of the Kuwait National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprise Development also attended the event to show their continuous support in empowering local youth.
The successful partnership between Brilliant Lab, a Kuwait-based startup accelerator and Mind the Bridge, a global organization promoting education and entrepreneurship, has lasted for several years now. The boot camp in the Silicon Valley is the third in a row. During its previous two-year programs, ZGI has encouraged many talented young people to unleash their potential and turn their ideas into working businesses. Mind the Bridge and Zain will continue working together to empower local youth and ensure the progress of the non-oil economy of Kuwait.
