Every startup dreams of launching their business in a city full of new opportunities for growth and development. Did you know that Dubai, the UAE capital, is considered the world's leading business hub, offering a unique combination of world-class infrastructure, an attractive tax and regulatory environment, a modern lifestyle and access to a wide range of multinational companies? It's the perfect combination to help you achieve your goal of becoming a unicorn. 

 

Dubai is a city that needs no introduction, having established itself over the years as a global tourism and business hub. Its strategic location, attractive tax regime and investor-friendly policies are factors that attract entrepreneurs from around the world. In recent years, the city has also become a hub for startups, as evidenced by the fact that Dubai is home to more than 15,000 startups, including the region's most important unicorns such as Careem, Swvl, Emerging Markets Property Group (EMPG) and Kitopi.

 

The Slovene Enterprise Fund is also aware of Dubai's many advantages to startups and, in cooperation with the Business Angels of Slovenia, has organized the "Bootcamp Dubai" accelerator program. This year, 13 portfolio companies participated in the intensive five-day program, which took place from 8 to 12 May. Among them was Martin Vogrin from TipQC and Hodnik Korinšek from Systhematic, who told us more about their experience in Dubai.

 

"A program that opens new horizons"

Martin Vogrin, CEO of  TipQC

 

Why did you decide to participate in the "Bootcamp Dubai" program? 

Dubai is an exciting market for us. We develop algorithms for data analytics using quantum computing methods. In Slovenia, we are limited in the number of large clients with money, employees, regulation and growth opportunities. That is why we found Dubai to be a very interesting market for us.

 

What was your experience like and how did it influence the growth and development of your startup?

Our overall experience in the program has been excellent. When we went to Dubai, we knew we wanted to do quantum, but we didn't know whether to grow organically to get customers and make money and how, or to go for investment and grow through that. And Dubai was the first time I really met and talked to investors, which opened up my horizons.

 

 

Martin Vogrin from TipQC

 

What new skills and knowledge did you acquire?

The program has given me a new perspective. I realized that it is possible to find investment, get big clients and that Dubai as an ecosystem is very connected and open. 

 

Pitching in front of investors

Source: Business Angels of Slovenia

 

"It's a metropolis of the future."

Nataša Hodnik Korinšek, the entrepreneur behind Systhematic and MyPile, an integrated document storage solution for the home, was also part of the program. Nataša told us that despite her initial doubts about whether Dubai was for her, it was a unique experience she will never forget.

 

With "Bootcamp Dubai" to new connections and opportunities

The international accelerator program "Bootcamp Dubai" was organized in cooperation between the Slovene Enterprise Fund, Business Angels of Slovenia and the In5 Tech Innovation Centre.

 

Through the program, founders of Slovenian companies had the opportunity to experience Dubai's entrepreneurial ecosystem first-hand. Several events were organized for the entrepreneurs, such as a presentation of the In5 Tech Innovation Centre, a networking event, a product development and growth hacking workshop and many others.

 

Nina Dremelj, President of Business Angels Slovenia and co-organizer of the "Bootcamp Dubai" program, told us about the many benefits of the program:

"Startup entrepreneurs get a direct insight into the way of doing business and thinking in the UAE. The visit to the Slovenian EXPO pavilion was also beneficial, as good business ties were made and some are already starting activities in this market. The visit to Dubai Chambers has already given many participants access to the right people for their business, and most importantly, the In5 Tech Innovation Centre has done a great job as they are already talking to our startups about using some of their products. Lastly, networking between startups/entrepreneurs was also important. It has created connections that help each other to reach potential customers and open new doors."

Nina Dremelj

Source: Business Angels of Slovenia

 

Matjaž Voglar, the founder of Mover, also participated in the program and said: 

"Bootcamp Dubai provided invaluable insights into Dubai's startup ecosystem and practical guidance on how to enter the market. Through interactive workshops and sessions, we gained a good understanding of the opportunities and challenges in the region. We networked with like-minded entrepreneurs, experts and key stakeholders, resulting in connections for potential collaborations and business growth. The organization of the events by Business Angels of Slovenia was excellent and we felt supported and motivated throughout the journey." 

In5

Source: Matjaž Voglar

Expo Slovenia 

Vir: Nataša Hodnik Korinšek

Nataša Hodnik Korinšek, Co-founder of Systhematic (Mypile) with investors

Source: Nataša Hodnik Korinšek

Entrepreneur Ervin Nadarević from Rentakit is also enthusiastic about the program, adding:

"Excellent program that gave us a good introduction to the state institutions and business culture in Dubai, where we got a 'handbook' for entering the UAE market and the markets of other Arab countries. We also got direct contacts from state institutions (Accelerators, Dubai Internet Centre, Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai Chambers...) and Slovenians in Dubai who were a great help to us. On the last day, we had 1on1 speed-dating with investors, which ended on a high note. We also had the opportunity to network with Slovenian startup founders and Business Angels of Slovenia, which was really valuable. In short, I went to Dubai with low investment expectations and poor market knowledge. I am now in contact with a potential investor and much better prepared to potentially expand into the UAE market and other nearby Arab markets where there is huge potential."

 

Other international accelerator programs also available for financial incentive recipients

The Slovene Enterprise Fund also organized other top international accelerator programs for portfolio companies, such as the US Accelerator, Israel Accelerator and Austria Accelerator. Portfolio companies can also join several other Startup Plus programs, such as the Startup Clinic, the Podim conference, HardwareSTART and many others. These content programs effectively complement the P2, SK75 and SI-SK financial products, which provide Slovenian startups with between EUR 54,000 and EUR 600,000 in startup funding.

more programs

 

 

 

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The program is co-financed from the Slovene Enterprise Fund and the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund. This is implemented on the basis of the Content Support for Funds Recipients (SMEs) Programme in the 2018-2023 period, under the Operational Programme for the Implementation of the European Cohesion Policy 2014-2020.