MENA: The Sleeping Giant of EdTech? + Dubai Cares

Hamdi Tabbaa (Abwaab), Omar Chihane (Englease.com), Amir Farha (COTU Ventures), Tala Al Ramahi (Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi), and Nafez Dakkak (Edraak.org) explore MENA: The Sleeping Giant of EdTech? + Dubai Cares at the 2021 ASU+GSV Summit. Global EdTech leaders span practically all the regions of the world, with few exceptions, most notably the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. MENA’s exclusion from this list is particularly notable given the region’s budding startup ecosystem and underlying demographics. However, the past year has presented a watershed moment for the EdTech space in MENA (and globally). Experiencing record growth and record investments, observers are starting to wonder if EdTech’s "Sleeping Giant" is about to wake up? In this panel, Nafez Dakkak, the Executive Chairman of Edraak.org, the largest platform for tertiary learning in MENA, moderates a discussion among some of the most exciting movers and shakers in MENA EdTech. We will hear from one of MENA’s most active seed stage investors about how his thinking has changed around EdTech - and what he believes needs to happen for MENA to produce its first EdTech unicorn. We will also hear from two inspiring entrepreneurs working to leverage the power of technology to transform the future of the region’s youth --- while ensuring they generate healthy returns for themselves and their investors. This discussion is further balanced by bringing in the perspective of the public sector in MENA which remains the biggest spender and, thus naturally the biggest catalyst of (or impediment to) innovation. Hold on to your seats and watch this space!