THE BIGFIVE DIGITAL MENA SUMMIT
Building the region's local and SME technology stack

17th February 2022

Featured Speakers

Why attend the BigFive Digital MENA Summit?
To learn about the growing and increasingly interconnected ecosystem enabling the digital transformation of small and local businesses in the Middle East, North Africa region. And to make connections that will lead to the partnerships that will help this space grow and prosper.

What do we mean when we say “small and local” businesses?

• SMMEs (small, midsize, and micro enterprises)
• Regional brands
• Multi-location brands

Why BigFive Digital?

BigFive Digital is an event and content organization fostering the development of the local and SMME digital technology ecosystem in Africa and the Middle East. BigFive does this via in-person and virtual events, and through thought-leading content that includes the popular BIG5D Podcast, newsletter, and original research.

Conference Agenda

17th February 2022

08:30 - 10:00 - Coffee, Registration & Networking

Instagram Room, 42nd Floor
Sponsored by Matchcraft

10:00 - 10:10 - The MENA Local Digital Ecosystem Overview & Outlook

Speakers: Charles Laughlin, Co-founder, BigFive Digital

10:10 - 10:40 - Digitising MENA’s Small and Local Business Market

Speaker: Selina Bieber, General Manager, MEA, GoDaddy

10:40 - 11:05 - The State of MENA’s Martech Industry

Speakers: Ravi Raman, Publisher & Editorial Director, Martechvibe; other speakers to be announced soon
Presented by MartechVibe

11:05 - 11:30 - Is Local Martech’s Future Decentralized?
Speaker: Justin Sanger, Founder & CEO, SMBChain

11:30 - 12:00 - Breaking Down MENA’s Buy Now, Pay Later Revolution
Speaker: Anuscha Iqbal, Co-founder & CEO, Spotii

12:00 - 12:30 - Beyond The Hype: Lessons from Unlocking E-Commerce in the MENA Region
Speaker: Chaymae Samir, Founder & CEO, Made by Sunday

12:30 - 13:30 - Networking Lunch

Garden on 8 – 8th Floor
Sponsored by Duda

13:30 - 14:10 - MENA’s Fintech Innovators
Speakers: Alex Pascoe, Chief Operating Officer, Now Money

The MENA Foodtech Forum
Disrupted dining - Tech Transforms MENA's Restaurant Scene

14:10 - 14:25 - Part I: Fireside Chat – The Future of Food in the Metaverse
Speakers: Mohammed Al-Fayed, Co-founder & CEO, GrubTech; David Singleton, Partner, Socius Group

14:25 - 14:50 - Part II: Meet MENA's Virtual Dining Enterpreneurs

Speakers: Steve Delpino, Head of Customer Success, GrubTech; Ahmd Cherkaoui, CEO, Rocket Kitchens; Alex Golden, Director, Everyday Roastery, Talabat; Zeid Abu Ennad, COO, Kitch-In
Presented by Grubtech

14:50 - 15:00 - Case Study: Yext

15:00 - 15:30 - Refreshment Break

14:50 - 15:00 - Case Study: Yext

Sponsored by bFound

15:30 - 15:40 - Case Study: Duda

15:40 - 16:05 - Real Talk on Serving MENA’s Small Business Market
Speakers: Dominic Taylor, CEO, Tasjeel.ae; Erik Bjerlestam, CEO, bFound
Presented by Tasjeel.ae

16:05 - 16:30 - The Coming Blockchain Revolution
Speakers: Aly Madhavji, Managing Partner, Blockchain Founders Fund; Talal Tabbaa, CEO, CoinMENA

16:30 - 17:00 - The Local Business View - Tales of Digital Transformation

17:00 - 17:30 - The Investor’s View - What’s Hot, What’s Not in MENA Startups?
Speakers: Rico Pang, Co-founder & Group CEO, Sanctum Global Ventures; Issa Aghabi, Founder & Managing Partner, Access Bridge Ventures

17:30 - 19:00 - Networking Reception - Cocktails & Light Bites
Coco Lounge, 8th Floor
Sponsored by Yext

To book a room at the Media One at the conference guest rate of AED650 for a single, please contact Jeremy Madridano, jeremy@mediaonehotel.com, Rate is subject to availability.