WEEGS Brings Together Key Women Entrepreneurs and Investors to Explore Funding Opportunities

The ‘NAMA Women Advancement Establishment’ and the New York-based ‘Women Investing in Women Digital’ are calling on women entrepreneurs to participate in the first edition of the ‘Women Economic Empowerment Global Summit’ (WEEGS), where they can connect with investors to expand their businesses.

The event, organised by NAMA in collaboration with UN Women, will take place on December 4-5 at the Expo Centre Sharjah in keeping with NAMA’s unwavering commitment to elevating women in business.

On day two of the summit, a key session themed ‘Opportunity to Grow’ will showcase ten of the most visionary projects, providing investors with an insight into potential business growth and expansion.

In order to participate in the session, the projects must be woman-owned and run by woman entrepreneurs, be innovative and original. They must also have been launched within the last five years, and have the attributes of sustainability and profitability, with a positive impact on society and a credible plan to ensure its future success.

Reem BinKaram, Director of NAMA, said: “The summit is an ideal example of women’s roles in building the global economy. The focus is on engaging investors who wish to support those projects and encourage more women entrepreneurs to access the markets in terms of gender equality. The session’s main objective is to support ambitious entrepreneurs and take their businesses to the next level of development.”

Those interested in submitting their projects can register by logging onto: http://weesummit.com/investmentopportunity.

Speaking of NAMA’s objectives at the summit, Reem BinKaram added: “Our ultimate goal is to enhance the success and seniority of women’s roles in all industries, sectors and markets. In line with that, another of the key issues to be addressed is how to enhance media representation of women entrepreneurs and investors form the MENA region.”

A 24-minute video produced by ‘Springboard Enterprises Dolphin Tank’ will be shown during the ‘Opportunity to Grow’ session, showcasing a selection of successful women entrepreneurs and investors, who represent role models for women and girls around the world. Excerpts from the film will also be used in the form of four four-minute videos which will be posted online and on social media.

A separate video of the WEEGS session itself will be filmed and produced by Dolphin Tank and will be shown immediately after the summit and again on March 8, 2018 in celebration of International Women's Day. The content will highlight the participants’ innovative spirit and the importance of investor confidence and support.

The Springboard Enterprises Dolphin Tank programme is a “helpful feedback-driven” pitch session for entrepreneurs to receive constructive insights from knowledgeable professionals. Dolphin Tank channels the expertise of the people in the room through an interactive discussion led by an expert panel. The objective is to provide connections and advice to enable entrepreneurs to overcome their challenges and capitalise on their opportunities.

WEEGS is a unique event which is being held for the very first time and reflects the significant collaboration between NAMA and UN Women, who will join hands and further their concerted efforts to support and empower women economically. This is in perfect alignment with NAMA’s support to the global programme ‘Equal Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs’, which is being implemented locally with the aim of ensuring gender equality in the field of entrepreneurship in Sharjah and UAE.