Step, from what started as small gatherings and a series of workshops 11 years ago became Dubai’s largest tech festival, introducing more than 400 startups, hundreds of investors and over 8,000 attendees.

The conference managed to secure $8.2 billion and over a hundred participating companies, it will start on February 21^st and will last a day until the 22^nd.

Step will have 6 main tracks each focusing on different topics and interests.

START:

Start will focus on the startup scene, tech influencers will share keynotes, panels, growth strategies, investment insight and debates.

This track will focus on growth and scalability, solopreneurship, investment and fundraising and acquisitions and IPOS.

FINTECH:

Fintech track will include industry leaders and regulators to discuss advancements in banking, wealth management such as digital assets management, ownership and security, blockchains and payments.

AI:

Ai track will focus on Artificial Intelligence including AGI, discussing LLMs, co-pilot systems and advanced neural networks with experts discussing these topics and their potential in future and current use.

DIGITAL:

Digital track envelops international developments in content marketing, ad technology and retail.

Experts will have panels and breakout sessions to talk and discuss the future of digital technology.

WELLNESS:

Wellness track focuses on lifestyle trends and how tech can be incorporated into them, with expert speakers including NLP specialists, nutritionists, coaches and startups talking about living well in the digital age.

EARTH:

Earth track discusses Greentech and the ability to build a more sustainable future using the latest technologies throughout society.

Step conference will be presented by Dubai Internet City partnered by Bim Ventures.

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Founded by Christian Buchholz, Shanawaz Rouf and Nabid Hassan, along with Arsalan Siddiqui and Syed Ali, myZoi promotes the financial inclusion and digital literacy of the unbanked through customised financial services.

“At the heart of myZoi lies the transformative potential of fintech to innovate with solutions that foster financial inclusion,” Syed Muhammad Ali, Co-Founder and CEO of myZoi, says. “myZoi will strive towards reducing the transaction cost of migrant remittances to less than 3%, in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (10c), while providing corporates a digitised, safe, and efficient way to process payroll.”

Investing in fintech more than quadrupled in the MENAP region from $200 million in 2020 to $885 million in 2022, according to a study by MAGNiTT. With the newly acquired funding myZoi hopes to simplify access to essential financial services for more than 5 million low-income migrant workers in the UAE and beyond, as it prepares for a full commercial launch.

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Founded in 2015 by Bassam Al Mohammadi, the Riyadh-based traveltech startup’s platform allows users to browse waitlists and fully-booked flights issuing a ticket when seats become available.

In addition to traditional browse and book options on all major international airlines, travel managers will be afforded full visibility into the ticketing process through real-time insights and corporate cash wallet enabling businesses to overview bookings with greater ease.

This initial investment of $15.2 million will allow FlyAkeed to shore up its user interface and digital infrastructure while integrating fintech technology resulting in a more robust industry presence and continued benefits for corporate and individual travellers alike.

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FlapKap is the regionally contextualized version of Clearco and Wayflyer and the first company of its type in the Middle East. Its primary value propositions are twofold: first, it offers online businesses AI-based insight to help them optimize their advertising spend and maximize profits. Then, it offers these businesses revenue-based flexible payment terms, on that advertising spend, to ensure sustainable growth without cash constraints.

Currently operating in the UAE and Egypt, FlapKap will soon launch in Saudi Arabia. The company also expects wider MEA expansion and rapid merchant acquisition.

FlapKap’s management team has a proven entrepreneurial track record in e-commerce, media, and digital banking. Co-founder/CEO is Ahmad Coucha – the co-founder of MENA’s leading advertising agency Kijamii and a Harvard graduate. The founding team also includes Khaled Nassef, co-founder/CTO and formerly of German neobank N26 and Amazon; Amr Gamal, COO, former McKinsey and P&G; and Sherif Bichara, FinOps Manager, formerly at Helios and Lazard.

Ahmad Coucha, co-founder and CEO of FlapKap, said:

“We are delighted to announce our launch and fundraise, and have the backing of such an esteemed investor as A15 – one of the leading venture capital firms in the MENA region. It is a testament to our business model and validates our strategy.

 “We have taken a proven international business model, and adapted it for the Middle East. Our solution empowers SMEs and startups to grow sustainably, without losing equity, and to help manage their cashflows. With a first-mover advantage and a huge market opportunity, we are excited to extend the growth opportunities we have unlocked for our early clients to the whole region.”

FlapKap’s market opportunity is substantial. In 2017, Bain & Company reported the wider MENA e-commerce market was worth $8.4 billion, with an annual growth of 25% since 2014, and predicted the market to reach $28.5 billion by 2022. FlapKap expects these figures to have increased substantially due to accelerated adoption catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Karim Beshara, General Partner at A15, said :

 “A15 is proud to lead the fundraise for FlapKap and to back its CEO, Ahmed Coucha, for –our second venture together. FlapKap is not only a visionary company with an excellent business model, but it is creating real tangible value for the region by helping SMEs grow. It also has a first-mover advantage in a significant market, all of which creates a very bright future.”

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