The Company Embraces Innovative Technological Initiatives
Wassim Mansour: touch is a strategic partner of MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Startup Competition
Beirut – February 12, 2015
touch, the leading mobile and data operator in Lebanon, announces its strategic partnership of the MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Startup Competition, joining founding partner Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives in the eighth edition of the competition.
touch took this step in the context of the newly formed strategic partnership between its mother company Zain Group and the forum that is expected to have 5,000 individuals and teams from 21 Arab countries participate in the forthcoming eighth edition of the competition.
touch stressed the importance of this forum that will give participants the opportunity to compete within one of three different tracks: Ideas, Startups, as well as a new track initiated this year, Social Entrepreneurship, which focuses on adapting the idea of innovation worldwide.
The application deadline for the competition is February 15, 2015 and the winners’ ceremony will be held in Kuwait on April 20, 2015.
Widely known as MIT, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is recognized for being one of the leading universities in the world, earning a reputation as a key player in the advancement of the digital age. MIT focuses on better equipping students with the right tools to transform technological ideas into successful businesses across many academic fields.
Commenting on the partnership, Zain Group CEO, Scott Gegenheimer said, “Today’s innovators are tomorrow’s differentiators and with this partnership we look forward to building awareness and encouraging opportunities that enhance the power of innovation through building up our future entrepreneurs.”
The Group CEO continued, “Zain is on a path to transform itself into being a more agile, relevant digital communications provider partnering with leading innovative entities as well as seeking value enhancing opportunities.”
On his part, touch Vice Chairman and General Manager, Wassim Mansour, said, “Our partnership with the MIT Enterprise Forum will provide us with the ideal opportunity to benefit from promising creative ideas in the digital technology field in the region and to increase our market share in the future.”
He continued, “Undoubtedly, the strategic partnership between Zain Group and the MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Startup Competition matches touch’s vision and active plans in support of creative and innovative initiatives.”
He added, “Support of regional initiatives is part of our company’s unwavering commitment to economic growth in Lebanon, in particular support of the youth with creative ideas, not just on a national level, but also on one that transcends geographic borders.”
Furthermore, Hala Fadel, Chair of the board of MITEF Pan Arab commented, “Having a well-established telecom entity such as Zain partner us in the competition will immensely help in raising awareness about entrepreneurship and speed up time to market for many of our startups.”
To celebrate the new partnership, shortlisted candidates from various Arab regions will be invited to Kuwait in April 2015 to take part in specially tailored weeklong workshops to vote for and eventually announce the winners within each category track at a final ceremony event. Each of the Ideas, Startups, and Social Entrepreneurship tracks will award the first three ranked winners with cash prizes in addition to a lot of other benefits including: top tier training, mentorship, coaching, media exposure, and great networking opportunities.
For more information on the MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Startup Competition eligibility and judging criteria, please visit www.mitarabcompetition.com