Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF), a UAE-based, independent, non-governmental and non-profit organisation that complements the scientific and technological efforts in the Arab world, has announced that it has compiled a powerful line-up of speakers for the 5th Investing in Technology Forum, which will be held in Amman, Jordan from December 12-13, 2007, under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein.
The key note speakers of the Forum include Dr. Helmut M. Schühsler, the Chairman of the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA), and Managing Partner, TVM Capital , and Dr. Michael Martin, the President of TechTransfer Associates, USA. A total of 21 high-profile event speakers have also confirmed their presence before an audience of leading Arab investors, entrepreneurs and support organizations, to discuss vital regional issues such as: attracting global VCs to the region, Listing Tech companies on stock exchanges in the Arab World, National & Regional Innovation Ecosystem, Technology Licensing and Seed & Early Stage Incubation and Funding.
Commenting on the importance of the Forum, Dr. Schühsler said: "I commend the Arab Science and Technology Foundation for pioneering this timely initiative. Technology investment must be sustained as technology and product innovation are one of the core foundations of a sustainable, profitable economy."
Dr. Schühsler has been responsible for more than 20 TVM Capital investments in life sciences companies in Europe and the U.S., and has served on various committees since 1990. Dr. Martin has over 40 years of business and product development experience, and has held positions at E.I. DuPont, PPG Industries, Ciba-Geigy, Michigan State University and Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
ASTF has also finalised the list of start-ups that will be featured during the region-wide Forum. The start-ups have been grouped into five distinct categories: Software Track, Energy, Water and Engineering Track, Medical, Biotech and Pharma Track, Semiconductors, Electronic Devices and Hardware Track, and Communication Track.
"Cultivating start-ups in various fields of science and technology presents enumerable benefits for the economy and sustainability of the society. As we face bigger challenges and more complex needs, technology and science will be our most important tool to creating the most suitable solutions to all the obstacles of progress," said Walid S. Hanna, Chief Executive Officer, Arab Business Angels Network.
Ennis Rimawi, Managing Partner, Catalyst Private Equity, commented: " This is my 3rd year of association with ASTF and the forum, and as a result of the ASTF network we have already invested in Omni Oil Technologies, and are in discussions with several others companies in Catalyst’s specialized focus area of Energy and Water technology .” “ASTF is a key building block in the region for the creation of an innovation eco-system, which for investors will result in significant returns in the Arab world as it has in Western and Eastern worlds"
The Forum will host back-to-back workshops to be conducted by top industry practitioners on IP Valuation and Technology company funding. Moreover, the culminating ceremony of the 2nd Arab Technology Business Plan Competition will be held at the event. The competition has been designed to boost investments and increase the awareness on the innovation happening in Arab technology start-ups.
