Entrepreneurial Success: Expert Panel and Peer Networking
Hosted by Professor Costas Andriopoulos, Professor of Management and Associate Dean for Entrepreneurship at Cass Business School and the MENA Alumni Chapter Board, the evening will feature a talk by Prof Andriopoulos and an expert panel discussion on the topic of entrepreneurship moderated by Caroline Faraj (MA Int’l Journalism 2000), Vice President, Head of Arabic Services at CNN. Followed by a drinks reception, this event is an opportunity for you to learn about the latest news from your University and Cass Business School and to network with your fellow alumni as well as students participating in the MBA Elective.
Date: Wednesday 17th April 2019
Time: 18:30 - 22:00
Venue: Capital Club Dubai, Gate Village, Building 3, Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC), Dubai, UAE
Dress code: Smart casual
Price: Non-alcoholic package £18 (80 AED), Alcoholic package £25 (120 AED). Payment at the door (in cash) is possible.
The ticket price is a contribution toward the cost of beverages and canapés. You are very welcome to bring a guest.
Programme
18:30 - 19:30 Registration & Networking (refreshments available)
19:30 - 19:50 Welcome (Professor Costas Andriopoulos)
Talk ‘Next time it will be harder: How to explore the unknown, impact the world and create
wealth’ (Prof Andriopoulos)
19:50 - 19:55 Introduction to the panel (Caroline Faraj)
19:55 - 20:35 Panel discussion
20:35 - 21:05 Q&A
21:05 - 21:10 Closing remarks
21:10 - 22:00 Networking reception (canapés and drinks available)
Meet the Expert Panel
(From left to right Caroline Faraj, Issa Aghabi, Julian Callanan, Shahab Lutfi, Zara Martirosyan)
Caroline Faraj (MA International Journalism, 2000)
Caroline is Vice President, Head of Arabic Services at CNN, CNN Bureau Chief Dubai (UAE) since 2002. She is a passionate storyteller/journalist for more than 30 years, covered the Jordanian/Israeli peace process, launched CNN Arabic together with the first CNN bureau in the GCC. She has an MA in International Journalism from City University of London. Her interests lie in new media, youth creativity and freedom of expression. Caroline is also the Founding Vice President of the MENA Alumni Chapter Board and a member of the City, University of London MENA Advisory Board.
Issa Aghabi (Executive MBA, 2014)
Issa has been in the finance and investments industry for 15+ years with a focus on Venture Capital. He has executed 50+ direct and indirect investment deals (from $100K to $25M per transaction), managed over $150m in MENA Venture funds. In 2015, he led the exit of twofour54's largest two investments, and more recently in 2017, led the exit of IFC’s largest MENA direct deal, souq.com. He also led on the creation and launch of a leading accelerator in the MENA region. He currently heads IFC MENAP venture investments both from a Direct and Indirect (accelerators and fund of fund) perspective.
Twitter: @iaghabi
Julian Callanan (Executive MBA, 2016)
Julian is the Founder and Managing Director of Sinterex, a Dubai based start-up specialising in 3D printed healthcare products. In just over two years Sinterex has successfully 3D printed bespoke medical devices for over 5,000 patients in 7 countries. The company also made headlines earlier this year when it collaborated with Dubai Health Authority to 3D print a Titanium jaw for a cancer patient. Julian has a BSc Politics with Economics from the University of Bath and an MBA from Cass Business School. It was during his MBA that he developed the concept for Sinterex.
Instagram: sinterex_3d
Shahab Lutfi (MBA 2004)
Shahab started his career in a family business, Lutfi Group of Companies. He now is the CEO of Bright Start LLC, a private investment company in Dubai, managing an extensive portfolio of prestigious property and financial assets in excess of $2 billion. Shahab is also the Founder of H&H Investment and Development, a boutique real estate development company, and the CEO and Partner of dxb-lab architecture, an award-winning architectural practice founded in 2000. Born and raised in the UAE, Shahab received his BSc in Accounting and Finance from Boston University and earned an MBA from City University Cass Business School. He has also completed executive education programmes at Harvard and Stanford and is a member of the UK Society of Investment Professionals. He is also a member of the MENA Alumni Chapter Board.
Zara Martirosyan (MSc Management, 2007)
Zara was born in Yerevan, Armenia, but grew up in Moscow since she was 9, and has lived in Dubai since 2013. Zara started her career in the film business as a creative producer and marketer. After moving to Dubai, she has pursued an entrepreneurial path and together with friends and family created inKin Social Fitness, a global digital health platform, combining her passion for tech and wellbeing. Zara holds a BSc in Economics from Lomonosov Moscow State University and MSc in Management from Cass Business School. Zara is a member of the MENA Alumni Chapter Entrepreneurship Club ExCo.
Instagram: zaruiamvi and inkinsocialfitness
Registration is now closed. If you would like to attend, please email alumnievents@city.ac.uk.