Abdallah Abu Sheikh is an Emirati serial entrepreneur and businessman. He is the Founder of Astra Tech, MENA’s leading consumer technology company and CEO of Botim. Under his leadership, Astra Tech launched the groundbreaking ‘Ultra-platform’ under the Botim app, after securing a $500 million investment in 2022. Abdallah has strategically navigated a complex market to fulfill a vision of simplifying the lives of everyday consumers. This ambitious journey has led to one objective: to create an Ultra App that addresses ‘platform fatigue’ in an oversaturated tech market. He is also the founder of RIZEK, a digital marketplace that launched in 2020, offering home services tailored to the lifestyle needs of UAE residents. It has since been integrated into Botim along with PayBy, the group’s Central Bank-licensed fintech operator.

Reem Al Marzooqi is celebrated for her exceptional work as an Emirati engineer with a significant patent to her name in the U.S., the “Lower Extremity Vehicle Navigation Control System.” This inventive system was designed to allow individuals with disabilities to drive using only their feet and was inspired by Jessica Cox, the world’s first licensed armless pilot. Al Marzooqi’s dedication led her from an initial dismissal of her ideas by her professor to eventually obtaining a U.S. patent. Her invention has received global recognition, featured in the British Museum’s “A History of the World in 100 Objects” exhibition, and has earned her a place on the Arabian Business lists for the 50 Most Influential Women in the Arab World in 2018 and the 100 Smartest People in the UAE. This underscores her influence and leadership in STEM, particularly for women.

With over two-decades of professional culinary experience, James runs his own hospitality consultancy firm Group JKP. He has worked with several internationally respected chefs including Raymond Blanc, Gordon Ramsay, Michael Caines. He had also been filmed on two of the BBC’s prime-time cooking shows including Out of the Frying Pan and The Restaurant. In December 2018 / 2019, he was named as one of the 50 most influential people in F&B in Middle East and Africa by Caterer Middle East.  He was voted as the “Executive Chef of the Year 2019” in the Hotelier Middle East awards and “2020 Chef of the Year” by The Pro Chef Middle East awards. In the same year he co-founded the Dubai Chefs Collective, which is a platform that supports chefs and hospitality professionals when it comes to mental health. He hosts the Chef JKP Podcast, which celebrates the inspirational stories of people in the hospitality industry.

Avinash Babur is a distinguished figure in the insurance sector, renowned for his role as the Founder and CEO of InsuranceMarket.ae, a leading online insurance marketplace in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With a rich background that blends a growth mindset, digital marketing prowess, and thought leadership, Avinash has significantly impacted the insurance landscape through his visionary approach and innovative solutions. A graduate of the Chartered Insurance Institute in the UK (ACII), Avinash has channeled his expertise into making insurance accessible and understandable for all. His platform, InsuranceMarket.ae, offers a wide array of products, including motor, health, travel, and home insurance, simplifying the process of comparing and purchasing insurance online.

Mona Ataya has proven to be one of the Middle East’s most prominent and successful female entrepreneurs. She is a serial entrepreneur and has a strong track record of not only building successful businesses but also a pioneer in shaping the changing landscape and disrupting the ecosystem. She was the first female digital entrepreneur to set up in Dubai Internet City in 2000 and consequently be part of founding and growing 3 leading digital businesses that have become regional household names. She leaves behind her a legacy not only for female entrepreneurs but any digital entrepreneur. Mona has won numerous recognitions throughout her career making it on the Forbes top 10 lists 6 years in a row.  Most recently, she was ranked amongst the Forbes +50 leaders and voted as one of the 5 most Powerful Women Transforming the Business World in the Levant.

Munira Rahman is the Director, Brand Ambassador & Chief Marketing Officer at Al Haramain Perfumes, a global fragrance brand. With a passion for fragrance and innovative marketing, she has played a key role in the company’s success, making it a prominent name in the industry. Munira’s leadership and vision continue to drive Al Haramain Perfumes to new heights. She is the only woman in the perfume industry to face exceptional challenges and overcome it. Additionally, on another professional level, Munira is a notable travel influencer, sharing her adventures and insights with a global audience. She is a Bangladeshi Woman who has broken barriers and society Norms and created a free world  in her community where women can follow their dreams and achieve absolutely anything.