1B Followers Summit Announces Jury for Pitches Competition
The 1 Billion Followers Summit has revealed the experts who will serve on the jury for the 1 Billion Pitches competition. Tarek Fouad, the Chief Marketing Officer of Shorooq, is leading the panel. With experience in marketing, communications, and investing in global gaming ventures through the Gametech Fund, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Fouad was instrumental in Ghadan21, a digital transformation initiative in Abu Dhabi, and played a key role in attracting over 100 deep-tech startups to the region.
Joining Fouad is Issa Aghabi, the Founder and Managing Director of Access Bridge Ventures. Aghabi’s extensive background in finance and venture capital, with over 21 investments across the Middle East and North Africa, makes him a valuable addition to the jury. His journey in the industry dates back to 2004, including roles at companies like Yahoo! and twofour54.
Sara Enan, Principal at VentureSouq and Salica Investments, will also be part of the judging panel. Enan’s investment experience in Egypt and North Africa, coupled with her economics background and past roles at Global Ventures and Jumia.com, brings a diverse perspective to the jury. She previously served on the selection committee for El Forsa, a prominent TV competition for startups.
Andy Gaies, Chief Operating Officer at LIT Videobooks, rounds out the permanent members of the jury. With a background in consulting and content development, Gaies’s insights will be invaluable. As the former Chief Content Officer of Audible, he focused on legal advisory, business growth, and content development.
In addition to the permanent members, the jury will also include two guest judges for the final selection rounds. Faisal Belhoul, Vice President of the Dubai Chambers, will lend his expertise to the panel. The second guest judge is Mahmoud Adi, Founding Partner at Shorooq. Adi’s experience as an investor and entrepreneur, with successful investments in regional startups like Pure Harvest and TruKKer, adds another layer of depth to the jury.
Recently, the 1 Billion Followers Summit partnered with Shorooq, an alternative investment firm based in Abu Dhabi, to support the 1 Billion Pitches competition with a Dhs50 million fund. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting venture!
