Middle Eastern Entrepreneurs are Starting a Revolution

WASHINGTON - Feb. 9, 2015 - PRLog -- Washington, DC: A new report by Future in Focus highlights the small, but vibrant startup culture developing in the Arab and Muslim world and possible implications for global organizations.

“Clusters of tech-focused startups are popping up in cities across the Middle East in Amman, Beirut, Cairo, Dubai, Riyadh, and even Gaza City,” according to Michael Vidikan, CEO of Future in Focus, “This provides a bit of good news for the region amid its many longstanding challenges.”

The increase in entrepreneurial activity and investment in the Middle East’s startup scene is being driven by several factors that include:

A lack of alternatives. As Christopher Schroeder, an investor and author of Startup Rising, put it, “A new generation of Arab entrepreneurs isn’t waiting for public institutions to solve traditional problems or create business opportunities. Instead, they are using technology to address them now.”
Attractive demographics, tech adoption rates. The region boasts a young, tech-savvy population. Smartphone penetration is high in places such as Qatar (75%), UAE (73%), Saudi Arabia (60%), and Jordan (50%).
Successful predecessors. Nothing inspires like success. Maktoob, a Jordanian Internet portal boasted 16 million users in the Middle East when it was acquired by Yahoo! for $175 million in 2009.

Future in Focus has previously reported on “The Arab Digital Generation” looking at the behaviors and attitudes of the 10 million or so young, enthusiastic users of information technology.

Media can obtain a full copy of the report with additional insights, forecasts, and potential business opportunities by contacting Michael Vidikan at Michael@futureinfocus.com

About Future in Focus: Future in Focus delivers timely and provocative technology and consumer foresight research to Fortune 500 and government organizations, helping them see 5, 10, or even 25 years into the future. By engaging in foresight research, our clients are able to uncover emerging consumer needs and behaviors; anticipate and seize growth opportunities; define critical emerging issues shaping the future of their industry; mitigate risk; and enrich decision-making. We are putting the Future in Focus.