Zain Great Idea bootcamp begins, aimed at improving the skills of entrepreneurs

KUwait, September 28: The first phase of the Zain Great Idea (ZGI) accelerator program has begun. The bootcamp was well attended by idea owners and entrepreneurs who were able to gain the most important skills in business and startup management, and included intensive workshops, training programs and individual mentoring sessions, aims to improve the skills of entrepreneurs and startup owners, and is conducted by a group of experts from local, regional and international academic institutions.

The all-new Zain Great Idea accelerator program was recently launched in strategic partnership with Rasameel Investment Company and continues its ten-year mission of opening doors to sustainable growth and investment opportunities for entrepreneurs and innovators in Kuwait.

Before the start of the bootcamp, new participants took part in a special orientation session during which they were introduced to the plan, goals and stages of the program, as well as the schedule of workshops, mentoring sessions and discussions during the bootcamp, which takes place one of the key stages of the program.

The bootcamp is a significant stage of ZGI, lasting three weeks and providing participants with a wealth of information and skills necessary for the success of any technology company. This is done through interactive workshops, training programs, individual mentoring sessions and discussions with founders and management staff, all aimed at exchanging experiences and helping participants find the best development opportunities.

The camp content is led by a group of trainers, specialists and experts from leading local, regional and global academic institutions, including Prof. Paris de I’Etraz, professor at IE Business School with a PhD in the elements of emotional intelligence in the workplace. He has 20 years of experience in investment banking and venture capital, and is the CEO of IE Venture Labs, the largest startup accelerator in Europe. Paris has founded many startups and supported others in the fields of gaming, solar energy, technology and CRM Banking software.

Prof. also joins the bootcamp. Mike Grandinetti, active professor in innovation, entrepreneurship, human-centered design, and digital marketing. He started and spent his entire career in the world’s leading innovation clusters, running over 200 Hackathons and actively accelerating several hundred startups at Brown, Harvard and MIT.

Additionally, the show features Gaelle Bou Abdo, a successful serial entrepreneur specializing in HR and organizational development. With expertise in consumer behavior and market research, complemented by a digital marketing specialist certification, he brings a unique combination of skills to his work. As Chief Innovation Officer at Nestlé MENA, Gaelle focuses on developing new products, creating innovative business models and improving processes to achieve significant business results. Additionally, Gaelle mentors startups and scale-ups around the world. He is also an adjunct professor at IE Business School in Spain.

Also joining the bootcamp is Noorhan Al Zann, founder and CEO of Noor Coaching and Consultancy. He holds a CFA charter and an MBA focusing on sustainable finance. She has been a mentor and investment advisor to over 450 startups in 6 countries and has a 12-year career in financial services, focusing on treasury and investments. Noorhan also has over 8 years of experience as a Senior Lecturer (GCC) on banking and investment related topics.

The bootcamp will also feature other experts from the Applied Innovation Institute, a non-profit advisory team from Silicon Valley whose mission is to accelerate innovation and empower entrepreneurs. Additionally, experts from Architech Solutions, a Kuwait-based technology consulting firm, will lead a range of sessions, helping participants with technology consulting, online business strategy, product development, digital marketing, user experience consulting and more.

For over 14 years, Zain Great Idea has been a unique success story that has become one of the most influential business accelerators locally and regionally. He has provided hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs and startups with numerous opportunities, connecting many with leading technology companies and organizations in places like Silicon Valley to gain first-hand experience.

Through this program, Zain aims to empower Kuwait’s tech startup ecosystem and foster an innovation-driven environment that creates tangible economic and social impact. This step also translates into the company’s strategic plans as a company looking for promising opportunities for diversification and sustainable growth in a highly competitive market. Additionally, Zain may acquire shares in ZGI startups to increase their potential and willingness to commercialize.