MEI Co-Sponsors AllWorld Network Gathering of Leading Entrepreneurs from the Middle East

The AllWorld Network 2010 Summit took place at the Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School from October 18-22. Co-founded in 2007 by Anne Habiby, Deirdre Coyle, Jr. and Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter, the AllWorld Network seeks to identify and scale ALL the fast-growth entrepreneurs around the world in order to create 1 million jobs and the first-ever network of global entrepreneurial leaders. The summit's participants included more than 60 of the leading entrepreneurs from Africa and the Middle East. One of the highlights of the event was the announcement of the Arabia Fast Growth 500, a regional ranking of the fast-growing companies in the Middle East and North Africa.

As an AllWorld Partner, the Middle East Initiative (MEI) at the Harvard Kennedy School co-sponsored a panel discussion on October 20 that focused on the challenges and opportunities of launching businesses in the Middle East.

Students from across Harvard University filled the Starr Auditorium, and interacted with innovative business leaders who founded companies in construction, telecommunications, and marketing, among others.

Anne Habiby provided an overview of the AllWorld Network and the annual Fast Growth business rankings, which featured companies that were responsible for generating or sustaining 7,000 jobs in the Arab world, and posting an average of 285 percent growth in the past three years.

Dr. Amin Amin, the CEO of CADER (ChangeAgent for Arab Development and Education Reform), began the discussion by talking about his experience running a first of its kind teacher training company based in Amman, Jordan. Najat Rizk then followed by discussing the challenges she faced when launching FIREHORSE, a highly successful independent television production company based in Beirut, Lebanon. Khalid Sulieman, the CEO of the Jeddah-based AlCantara Group, concluded with an overview of some of the risks and rewards of investing in Saudi Arabia. Protracted legal disputes may be discouraging new business, but overall, the new market opportunities make it well worth starting a company in the Kingdom.

Hilary Rantisi, MEI director, said, "What made this event unique was that there were so many successful entrepreneurs in the audience who took time after the event to meet with Harvard students and share their knowledge and experience with aspiring entrepreneurs." MEI is increasing its focus on entrepreneurship in the Middle East and is currently working with both the AllWorld Network and the Harvard Office of Career Advancement (OCA) to facilitate opportunities for students to intern and seek mentorship from some of the region's leading entrepreneurs.

For more information, see:

AllWorld Network Launches Arabia Fast Growth 500

U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce, October 22, 2010

Middle Eastern CEOs Discuss Challenges
By Sam N. Adams

The Harvard Crimson, October 21, 2010

AllWorld Summit Press Release

AllWorld Network Website