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Conversations Agenda

SUNDAY 08

WEDNESDAY 11

MONDAY 09

TUESDAY 10

Dubai World Trade Centre

8-12 Oct 2017

10x Space, Za’abeel Halls 4 - 6

Sophia Amoruso Founder,

Girlboss Media

Benji Rogers Founder

PledgeMusic

Candace Johnson President

European Business Angels Network

Sean O’Sullivan Founder

SOSV

Bay McLaughlin FounderBrinc.Io

Discovering waysto fundraise

VCs, corporate buyers, accelerators and

disruptive startups talk term sheets, exits, fund

raising and scaling

Most inspiringstartup stories

Top investors, founders and growth experts

share secret ‘how-to’ of success in business

(while really trying).

Conversations with future tech evangelists

Talks on everything redefining the tech

industry: Robotics, AI, Blockchains, AR.

The creative side of tech

Creative economy’s most inspired entrepreneurs,

investors and enthusiasts discuss ways in which technology can be

leveraged to transform the creative world.

GITEX FUTURE STARSCONVERSATIONS AGENDA4 conferences tracks connecting global tech entrepreneurs, international investors and influential corporate buyers disruptingcorporates, communities and consumers.

GITEX FUTURE STARS conference experience will include:

10x Space, Za’abeel Halls 4 - 6

Keynote Presentation

Early Stage Investment

Beyond Cheque - Challenging the Status Quo

Almost every major tech success – Google, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Airbnb, Skype, Zynga, etc. – started with angel investment. For businesses that require outside financing having the right angel on board can make a world of difference. How can angel investing accelerate and transform both entrepreneurs and the cities that reap economic rewards from successful new ventures? Which sectors offer the greatest potential for growth for early stage investors? How can angel investor help startups scale internationally? What are the future investment trends and partnership models that will accelerate seed investments?

Candace Johnson, Founder, SES; President, European Business Angels Network As founder of SES, the world’s pre-eminent satellite group, she initiated, conceived and architected SES Global for which she was bestowed the Commander of Merit by the Government of Luxembourg. She is also founding President of Europe Online Investments S.A. the world’s first internet-based online service and satellite broadband network, and founder of Loral Cyberstar-Teleport Europe, Europe’s first independent private trans-border satellite communications network.

Fireside Chat

Innovation at Scale

Sean O’Sullivan, Managing Director of SOSV, the pioneering venture capital firm investing $50 million per year in startup companies. He pioneered street mapping on computers, is credited with coining the term “cloud computing” (along with George Favaloro of Compaq), and built up a company worth $200 million by the time he was 28. He has over $250M assets under management and a staff of nearly 50 operating world-renowned accelerators in the areas of hardware, software, biology, food, robotics, medical devices, transportation, green energy, and beyond.

Sean O’Sullivan, Managing Director, SOSV

Moderated by:Christopher Schroeder, Author, Startup Rising

Fireside Chat

Unicorn Breeding Ground- Fantasy or Reality?

MENA’s hyped startup scene is booming with Souq’s acquisition by Amazon, Fetchr round B boost and crowning of the second MENA unicorn- Careem. While investment appetite is increasing and money continues to flow in, the uncertainty remains. With the lack of regulation around insolvency and foreign company ownership, regional fragmentation and dominance of brick & mortar investments, entrepreneurs in MENA are still facing major difficulties with raising funds. What does the future hold for them?

Maria Barsuk, Head of Venture Capital Investment Program, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

Dr. Sayd Farook, Advisor, Director General’s Office, The Executive Office

Ankur Shah, Chief Financial Officer, Careem

Moderated by: Christopher Schroeder, Author, Startup Rising

13:15

14:00

14:15

Sarah Cone Founder

Social Impact Capital

Greg Rogers, Executive Director, Techstar

Patrick Grove Co-Founder &

Chairman iflix

Jalak Jobanputra, Founder &

Managing Partner FuturePerfect Ventures

13:05Opening Remarks by the ChairpersonNatasha D’Souza, Journopreneur and Forbes Columnist

DAY 1 Sunday, 8 October 2017

Fireside Chat

Fintech

How are ICOs changing VC and Fintech landscape

Is the fintech revolution still making waves or has it subsided? VCs, corporates & fintech startups discuss the state of the industry’s investment climate and alternative ways in which startups can raise funds.

Greg Rogers, Executive Director, Techstars Sheel Mohnot, Partner, 500 StartupsJeffrey Reitman, Principal, Nyca Partners Jonathan Nelson, CEO, Hackers/FoundersMatthew Van Niekerk, CEO & Co-Founder, Settlemint

Moderated by: Christopher Schroeder, Author, Startup Rising

Fireside Chat

CVCs

Capitalising on the CVC Gold RushCorporate Venture Funding is becoming an increasingly popular source of investment for startups. But what value add can CVCs provide to startups? How corporate VCs source deals? How different is the relationship between CVCs and startups?

Jerome Chifflet, Head of Scientific Disciplines, Orange Research Labs Min Park, Partner, Sherpa FoundryMohammad Hamad Alhajeri, Chief Investment Officer, Impulse International for TelecommunicationsTrey Goede, Head of Portfolio Management, Aramco Entrepreneurship Ventures

Moderated by: Christopher Schroeder, Author, Startup Rising

Panel Discussion

The Value of Insightful Investing

Leading female venture capitalists share their view on what they’ve learned about investing in and building successful companies led by women. How do women’s leadership styles and insights meaningfully differ? Explore with them the power and potential of gender diversity at the top.

Sarah Cone, Managing Partner, Social Impact CapitalJalak Jobanputra, Founder, Future Perfect VenturesSoraya Darabi, Partner & Founder, Trailmix VenturesSonia Gokhale, Partner, Venture Souq Nanci Govinder, Head Coach at Commission for Technology and Innovation, Western Switzerland

Moderated by: Christopher Schroeder, Author, Startup Rising

Panel Discussion

Governments and Corporates Can Help Angel–Backed Businesses Take Off Cities, businesses and leaders globally are leveraging the progress potential of angel-backed startups. Learn more about this collaborative movement and how governments, corporates and angel resources are elevating economies.

Ian Sosso, Founder and Managing Partner, Monte Carlo Capital Peter Cowley, Chairman, Cambridge Angels Anil Joshi, Managing Partner, Unicorn India VenturesBranko Drobnak, President, Business Angel Network Slovenia

Moderated by: Abdul Malik Al Jaber, President, MENA Angel Investor Network

15:15

16:00

16:45

17:15

Fireside Chat

AI

Life 3.0: Controlling AI Before It Controls Us

Investment in AI is exploding with VCs and CVCs scrambling to take on a leadership position in machine learning tech. What implications will these advances in AI technology have on our society? How should your startup plan for artificial intelligence? Can loss of individual control and privacy be addressed? Will automation replace the workforce? What AI strategy should your startup adopt?

Ruzgar Barisik, Senior Investment Officer, IFC

Manish Singhal, Founder, piVentures Moderated by: Christopher Schroeder, Author, Startup Rising

14:35

Keynote Address

Green is the New Black

As impact- investing moves into the mainstream how can social entrepreneurs get better access to funding? How can Governments and corporations use environmental and social goals to drive a profit. How will purpose-driven finance look like in 2030?

Yousuf Caires, Vice President, Expo Live

15:00

Fadi Ghandour Managing Partner

Wamda Capital

Arjun Arora Partner

500 Startups

Bernard Moon Founder

SparkLabs Global Ventures

Erik Mendelson Founder

RecordGram

DAY 1 Sunday, 8 October 2017

Fireside Chat

The Copycat Corner

Data shows that a substantial portion of VC invested in the last decade has gone into businesses that clone in a new geography. What is fundamentally wrong with COPYCAT startups and why do VCs still invest in them? Hear one of the leading VCs tell you why you should/shouldn’t copycat your strategy.

Frank Meehan, Founder, SparkLabs Global Ventures

Trey Goede, Head of Portfolio Management, Aramco Entrepreneurship Ventures

Zach Ferres, CEO, Coplex

Moderated by: Prashant Gulati, Founder, Optimistix Ventures

17:45

Frank Meehan Founder

SmartUp.io

Toby Shapshak Editor-in-Chief Stuff Magazine

Sunny Dhillon Founder

Signia Venture Partners

Andrea Baldereschi Founder Remidi

18:15

CLOSE OFTHE RAISE CONFERENCE TRACK

DAY 1 Sunday, 8 October 2017

International Keynote

Fireside Chat

A True-To-Life Rags-To-Riches

In conversation with Sophia Amoruso, the celebrity founder who went from being a ‘down-in-the-dumps’ millennial to becoming the ‘Cinderella of Tech’ as dubbed by New York Times and getting a highly-rated Netflix series based on her life’s story – Girlboss. She talks about the inspiration behind her career change, the journey of failing and succeeding, and often going the unconventional route.

Sophia Amoruso, Founder, Girlboss Media

Moderated by: Greg Williams, Editor in Chief, Wired

10:30

Fireside chat with Patrick Grove, Founder, iflix

From Garage to 4 IPOs- Lessons Learned on Scaling Across Asia

At 41, he took 4 companies from startup to IPO, and had the largest exit that the ASEAN internet market had seen by selling iProperty. His new 2 year-old venture, iflix, already has 2 million registered customers across Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. Patrick tells us what it’s like to scale across Asia and survive in the fragmented Asian market as an Australian entrepreneur.

Patrick Grove, Founder, iflix

Moderated by: Greg Williams, Editor in Chief, Wired

11:00

Fireside Chat

India’s most successful startup story

Secrets On Tripling Your Business at Every Stage of Growth By raising over $200million in funding so far and with a strong & sole presence in over 10,000 cities across 22 countries Zomato outpaced the world’s most elite startups. Zomato founder talks how to keep business alive, prevent your startup from premature death and make sure you grow with every challenge.

Deepinder Goyal, Founder, Zomato

Moderated by: Greg Williams,Editor in Chief, Wired

11:20

Fireside Chat

US Funding

Exploring The Silicon Valley Trail

US venture capital has backed some of the most successful tech companies in the world. However, US investments outside their own territory are an exception rather than the norm.

Is it worth pitching in the US as a MENA startup? How can MENA founders increase their chances of receiving funding from a US investor? What are those funds actually looking for?

Sunny Dhillon, Founder, Signia Venture Partners

Moderated by: Arjun Arora, Partner, 500 Startups

11:40

Growing Through Social

1.5$ million, 4 weeks, one switch to sales that clicked!

The man responsible for turning Mersk into the global superstar in the enterprise social scene, in 2016, achieved a breakthrough success with using social media to achieve direct sales in an ecommerce setting. In his presentation Jonathan will reveal best examples of algorithm and the ads structure that prove to remarkably skyrocket sales of products.

Jonathan Wichmann, Founder, Wichmann/SchmidtFormer Head of Social Media, Mersk

12:00

Zafer Younis Partner

500 Startups

Alain Thebault Co-Founder SeaBubbles

Chris Schroeder Author

Startup Rising

Christian Scheder CMO

Immotor

DAY 2 Monday, 9 October 2017

10:00Opening Remarks by the Chairperson

Peter Hopwood, Public Speaker

10:10Fireside Chat with Faraz Khalid, CEO, Noon

On building a scalable e-commerce business in MENA Moderated by: Prashant Gulati, Founder, Optimistix Ventures

Country spotlight

10 things to know about China If you don’t know what’s happening in China, you are missing out on some crucial info! While Uber can make it pretty much everywhere, it failed in China! Facebook too failed – while its offer to acquire the Korean version of Snapchat (Snow) was turned down. Come talk China and leave with a battle-plan before it’s too late!

Bay McLaughlin, Founder, Brinc.lo

12:20

ACCENTURE INNOVATION COMPETITION

15:00

DAY 2 Monday, 9 October 2017

14:30

CLOSE OFTHE SCALETRACK

Fireside Chat

Impact Investment

Social Unicorn Spotting- Making Capital Work For Us Not Control Us

Impact investing is more than just fake philanthropy. The session addresses the role that impact finance plays in supporting startups with the social cause.

Sarah Cone, Managing Partner, Social Impact CapitalCecile Sevrain, Co-Founder, TimeManaging Director, Luxemburg Business Angel Network Yousuf Caires, Vice President,Expo LiveSamer Abughannam, Vice President, Persistence Capital Partners

Moderated by: Natasha D’Souza, Contributing Editor, Forbes

13:20

Angel Panel

Taking Wing With Angels

Angel investing is picking up both globally and regionally. Leading angel investors talk angel money over VC & institutions. Can angel investment fit into your overall investment plans? How to manage your stakeholders to minimize risks?

Suneel Gokhale, Manager, Venture SouqElissa Freiha, Founder, Womena Abdul Malik Al Jaber, President, MENA Angel Investor Network

14:00 Keynote

The Flying Water Taxis Taking Mobility Into New Directions

SeaBubbles is pioneering the environmentally-friendly transportation of the future with their flying water taxis that come equipped with a battery-driven propulsion system. Applauded by city officials from around the world, including the Mayor of Paris, SeaBubbles is on a quest to revolutionise the city commute by reducing reliance on polluting cars. Explore the marvelous engineering behind flying taxis and discover how they will transform urban transportation in the future.

Anders Bringdal, Co-Founder & CEO, SeaBubblesAlain Thebault, Co-Founder & Vice President, SeaBubbles

13:00

Presentation

Africa Spotlight A lesson from “mobile only continent” on how to grow business

Growing importance of mobile in consumer lives is putting a pressure on startups to improve mobile apps user experience. Africa’s unique problems have resulted in a unique brand of innovation out of necessity, often using mobile phones. This session discusses how to get the most out of mobile analytics and build your cost effective startup app.

Toby Shapshak, Editor in Chief, Stuff Magazine

12:40

Think Emotional Robots Are Still Science Fiction Domain? You Haven’t Met Nadia Then!

A breakthrough in AI development by Soul Machines, Nadia is a virtual chatbot who can not onlyexpress human emotions, but also read facial expressions. What is the future of human interaction between man and machines? How can human society benefit from emotionally intelligent machines?

Greg Cross, COO, Soul Machines

10:30

Fireside Chat

Get Amped Up on Blockchain Musicians

Think of a world where any young musician is able to code a music app – and able to license it at a 100 miles-per-hour. Benji turns up the volume on all the long term benefits that blockchain technology will bring to musiciansand the music industry.

Benji Rogers, Founder, PledgeMusic

Erik Mendelson, Founder, RecordGram

10:50

The Glove That Turns Your Hand Into A Musical Instrument

Imagine a glove that allows you to create music simply by making gestures with your hand and fingers. Find out how the Remidi Glove can turn even those musically challenged into rock stars.

Andrea Baldereschi, Founder, Remidi

11:10

Age - A Numbers Game Or A Quality Life Statement Delving into the debate of Life Expectancy (LE) vs. Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE), Takeshi prescribes big data and IoT as essential medical tools to analyse and improve HLE and sustain today’s ‘Labour Productivity Population’. A revitalising mixture of medical, engineering, science and tech for aging societies to address productivity, Quality of Living and viable progress. Takeshi Kimuara, Founder and CEO, Primesap Inc.

11:50

Rocketing Your Career Like A Moonshot project

Ever wondered what it would be like to work on some of Alphabet’s most innovative products and groundbreaking technologies such as Google Research’s machine learning, natural language processing, Google[x] (now X), Verily, etc.? In this session, Amrit talks about his firsthand experience and learnings from spectacular failures, and shares tricks on how to venture beyond the zone of reasonable while keeping one hand on the tether of the possible.

Amrit Dhir, Global Operations Manager, Google for Entrepreneurs

12:10

DAY 3 Tuesday, 10 October 2017

Emotion of Things - AI Alive With Feelings

Questioning the key belief that only natural living beings are able to express emotions, Hiroshi shares the latest algorithm named EMPATH that is enabling IoT to emphatise like humans. Detecting emotions through voice analysis, EMPATH is giving a new lease of life to commercial technology, smart healthcare and ‘happy’ governance applications. The next wave of AI technology plugged into the Internet of Things – this is the Emotion of Things (EOT). Hiroshi Koyanagi, Executive Director, Smartmedical Corp.

12:30

13:30

Creating Opportunities

Bel Pesze, Founder, FazINOVA

13:00

CLOSE OFDISRUPTSESSION

GITEX SUPERNOVA CHALLENGE FINALS

14:00

Up to Speed On The Most Portable Personal Vehicle Ever

A foldable smart scooter made a quick way from crowdfunding on Indiegogo to selling on Amazon. Find out what made this portable smart vehicle attractive to investors.

Christian Scheder, CMO, Immotor

11:30

15:00Keynote

Making songs from speech

Costas Papa is an educator, sonic artist and media business consultant. Costas currently makes dark minimal techno with dub undertones and is continually reinventing his sonic identity while keeping an eye on developing trends.

Costas Papa, the only certified Ableton in East Asia

14:00

14:30Keynote

Mimicking to perfection

Australian beatboxer with one of the most watched TED Talks ever. It’s been said many times that Tom Thum appears to have not only a symphony orchestra but also a jazz band, techno DJ, 80’s synth pop group and collection of exotic world instruments all residing somewhere in his throat. Tom 2013 TEDx Sydney performance propelled him to internet stardom as his 15 minute showcase quickly became the highest viewed TEDx video of all time with over 40 million views and counting! Now recognised worldwide for his obscure talent to warp and manipulate his vocal chords, BeatBoxer Tom Thum will prove to GITEX Future Stars audience that there is no sound he cannot mimic to perfection.

Tom Thum, Australia’s greatest beatboxer

15:30Keynote

Leading a change – a story from gangster turned entrepreneur

Sihle Tshabalala, a convicted criminal and member of the infamous 26gang. Sihle has spent 11 years behind bars for armed robbery. During his time in prison and within six weeks he taught himself computer programming via an online course. He soon started to teach fellow prisoners English, Programming and beading and, after his release, initiated a Coding Centre in his home township Langa.

Sihle Tshabalala, CEO, Quirky 30

16:30

END OF DISRUPT CREATIVE TRACK

Keynote

Solving problems through positive thinking

Ruben, a.k.a “master of extreme”, is the one pushing kiteboarding to the absolute limits; he was a world-class, professional kite-surfer, the winner of Red Bull King of the Air, a DJ, a party animal, a heartthrob. But then in 2015 doctors found a 9cm by 9cm tumour pressing on his heart. Now, after a seven month battle of life and death, he has beaten his cancer. Ruben tells GITEX Future Stars how to find motivation and strength when faced with difficulties.

Ruben Lenten, ‘Master of Extreme” Professional Kitesurfer

Greg Cross Chief Business Officer

Soul Machines

Jonathan Wichmann Founder

Wichmann Schmidt

Sheel Mohnot Managing Partner

500 Startups Fintech Fund

Soraya Darabi Founder

Trailmix Ventures

DAY 4 Wednesday, 11 October 2017

Keynote

From Schoolbag Maker to Life-Changer Across Africa

Thato Kgatlhanye praised by Bill Gates for creativity and innovation, founder of Repurpose Schoolbags,discusses impact entrepreneurship, where she gets inspiration to push the world forward, and why highimpact entrepreneurship matters for both, startups and investors.

Thato Kgatlhanye, Founder, Repurpose Schoolbags

16:00

Monday, 9 October 2017

Panel

MAKING DUBAI THE NEXT BIG STARTUP HUB

According to the Startup Cities Index carried out by NestPick, Dubai has been ranked as the 29th most dynamic startup city in the world, amongst a list of 85 cities. Dubai in this Index ranked higher than more established startup cities such as New York, London and Tokyo.Dubai has proved to be a startup hub, having entrepreneurial skills and strong support from the government. Some of the startup success stories are Careem, Souq, Fetchr, Talabat and many more.This panel session will discuss the latest startup related activities with some of Dubai’s key players in the ecosystem.

Panelists:

Essa Ali Alzaabi, SVP Support Services, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Raja Al Mazrouei, Acting Executive Vice President, Dubai International Financial Centre Authority

Jitendra Kavathekar, Managing Director, Accenture Ventures - Open Innovation

Moderated by: Ahmed Abdulwahab, CEO, Next Arabia

Panel

FORGET SILICON VALLEY:DUBAI’S HOTTEST STARTUPS

Silicon Valley, New York, London, Singapore and other startup locations have long ruled as the main hubs for tech innovation. Dubai is now one of the hottest startup metropolitan city in world. It is home to some of the most successful startup companies in the region such as Careem, Souq.com (acquired by Amazon), Fetchr and many more. These companies have inspired hundreds of entrepreneurs to not only follow their steps but to become even bigger and better. This panel includes some of the hottest startups in Dubai. They will discuss their latest technologies, how their biggest opportunities, how they attract & retain their talents and how they can become the Next Big Thing out of Dubai.

Panelists:

Mohamed Amine Belarbi,Founder & CEO, VUL9 Cyber Security

Elie El Tom, Founder & CEO, Yalla Pickup

Morrad Irsane, Founder & CEO, Melltoo

Moderated by:Ahmed Abdulwahab, CEO, Next Arabia

13:00 - 13:30 13:30 - 14:00

DUBAI – INNOVATION REIMAGINED

SAUDI ACCELERATOR DAY Monday, 9 October 2017

Panel

SAUDI ARABIA IS BECOMING A STARTUP HUB

The number of startup support organizations – accelerators, incubators, funds, etc. - in Saudi Arabia significantly increased over the last few years. These organizations and companies are providing funding, incubation, training, coaching, mentoring and access to market. This session will highlight investment opportunities for startups from Saudi Arabia and MENA region. The panel will discuss latest trends and provide insights into the Saudi startup and investment scene. They will also share their experiences, challenges and activities within the Saudi startups environment.

Panelists:

Khalil Al Shafei, CEO and Managing Director, Wa’ed Ventures, Aramco Entrepreneurship Center

Dr. Faisal Allaf, CEO, Wadi Makkah Company

Nawaf Al Sahhaf, CEO, Badir Program for Technology Incubators

Moderated by: Ahmed Abdulwahab, CEO, Next Arabia

Panel

SAUDI’S NEXT BIG STARTUP COMPANIES

Saudi Arabia is becoming a home to many of the region’s most innovative up and coming companies, such as UTurn Entertainment, PayTabs, Foodics, OrderMe, Morni and many more. This panel will discuss the Good, Bad and Ugly in starting and running a business in Saudi Arabia. The participants will share their experiences in identifying business opportunities, launching a business, fundraising and when to exit.

Panelists:

Abdulaziz Fahad Aljouf, Founder & CEO, PayTabs

Ahmad Al-Zaini, Founder & CEO, Foodics

Mohammad Al-Abdulqadir, Founder & CEO,Catalyst Technologies (formally known as OrderMe)

Moderated by: Ahmed Abdulwahab, CEO, Next Arabia

14:00 - 14:45 15:00 - 15:45

Monday, 9 October 2017SAUDI ACCELERATOR DAY

Organised by

CONTACT THE GITEX FUTURE STARS CONFERENCE TEAM

Tel: +971 4 308 6805 / 6152 / 6481 Email: futurestarsconference@dwtc.com | Web: www.gitexfuturestars.com

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