Zain has successfully concluded the international acceleration phase of its award-winning Zain Great Idea (ZGI) tech startup accelerator program, which took Kuwaiti entrepreneurs to Silicon Valley—the global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. This phase featured an extensive program of masterclasses, one-on-one consultations, and visits to major tech companies, providing participants with a firsthand look at the dynamics of global entrepreneurship.
The program aimed to immerse participants in the heart of the startup ecosystem, offering invaluable opportunities to network with startup founders, pitch their ideas to investors, and gain insights into global business, technology, and innovation. Organized in collaboration with Vibranium VC, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm, the initiative helped expand the entrepreneurs’ knowledge and foster connections within the tech world.
A major highlight of the journey was a visit to NVIDIA’s headquarters, where participants met Jensen Huang, the company’s founder and CEO. Huang’s leadership has driven NVIDIA’s market value to $3.58 trillion, making it the world’s most valuable company. The entrepreneurs learned how AI technologies, integral to NVIDIA’s products, could be integrated into their own startups to achieve sustainable success.
The journey also included field visits to IDEO, Stanford, Berkeley, Silicon Valley Bank, Google’s San Francisco office, SAP, and various other tech companies. Participants gained crucial insights into the tech industry, AI applications, cloud solutions, financial services for innovators, and building successful partnerships.
In addition to these visits, the program featured masterclasses on investing in technology, startup strategies, and market growth. Leading experts like Alex Dang, Pedram Mokrian, and Oleg Sotnikov provided valuable knowledge on the latest tech trends, business strategies, and AI applications.
The program culminated in a pitch event where Kuwaiti entrepreneurs presented their startups to a panel of judges. Participants, such as Lama Aloraiman from BLU DOT, Dalal Thani from Akrem, and Raghad Al Zamel from MAWADA, showcased innovative ideas spanning various sectors, including space access, tipping apps, gifting platforms, and education.
ZGI’s success is rooted in its strategic partnership with Rasameel Investment Company and its commitment to driving growth and investment opportunities for startups in Kuwait. For over 14 years, Zain Great Idea has been a leading force in the startup ecosystem, connecting entrepreneurs with investors and industry experts, while empowering them to bring their ideas to life.
Through its continued efforts, Zain aims to foster a thriving tech startup ecosystem in Kuwait and ensure sustainable growth in the highly competitive digital landscape. The program also allows Zain to acquire stakes in promising startups, boosting their potential for commercialization and long-term success.
For more information, visit Zain’s website.
