With over 10 years in new products and services development and deployment in the telecommunication industry, Gilles focuses on the development of novel mobile services and ecosystems at Qualcomm’s regional offices in Dubai. Prior to that, he held senior management positions in technology, marketing and business development in Europe and North America at companies such as Nortel, Conexant, and Texas Instruments.
Read MoreSPI Group is a well known publishing house in the Middle Eastern region. The group possesses three premium publications: Intelligent SME, Robust RAK and Apps Middle East. The group also conducts the Emirates NBD Global Business Series, The SME World Summit and The Global App Summit.
Read MoreIn addition to the seed funding, winning entrepreneurs and start-ups will receive mentorship from MENA’s leading experts, office space at Intigral’s Dubai and Riyadh offices, hands-on training and support, exchange programmes with leading international incubators, and access to MENA markets, with a focus on Saudi Arabia.
Read MoreJuan Jose de la Torre, also known as J.J., is a 15-year telecom and media veteran who has worked for companies such as Orange, TeliaSonera, Etisalat, and Booz. He is also a seasoned entrepreneur who has successfully founded 3 start-ups. In the past two years, he has been working at Intigral, where he helped found Afkar, a fully-fledged product incubator for the MENA region.
Read MoreMoreover, J.J. is an INSEAD MBA, Masters in Project Management from La Salle and Industrial Civil Engineer from Adolfo Ibanez. He has been an advisor for the United Nations and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, on Mobile Telecom Ecosystem and Digital Enablers.
Read MoreBen Kinealy, Intigral CEO commented: “At Intigral we are dedicated to providing best products and services to our customers and partners, and digital sits at the core of this promise. JJ has been instrumental in the development of market led innovative products and services for Intigral, and this appointment is testament to the faith that both the board and I have in him to continue driving sustained growth for Intigral.”
Ben Kinealy, Intigral CEO commented: “At Intigral we are dedicated to providing best products and services to our customers and partners, and digital sits at the core of this promise. JJ has been instrumental in the development of market led innovative products and services for Intigral, and this appointment is testament to the faith that both the board and I have in him to continue driving sustained growth for Intigral.”
Read MoreThe applications for start-up ideas are open until the first week of November, when 10 ideas are to be selected and go through a weekend-long training process.
Read MoreThe program will be an annual initiative with four applications a year, targeting two intakes each from UAE and KSA respectively. Importantly, if a project does not get selected they can develop on the feedback given during the boot camp weekend and re-apply to the next intake. Applications are now open until the 10th of November 2013.
Read MoreAFKAR.me partners will play a key role in the selection and mentorship process. They include MBC Ventures, Wamda, Arabnet, Dubai SME, STC Ventures, Altran, The Online Project, Astrolabs, and Middle East Venture Partners. Ketchum Raad is the communications partner.
Read MoreSpecifically, startups that make the cut will be welcomed to Intigral’s offices in either Dubai or Riyadh for three months, to develop, with the help of the agency’s expertise, a minimum viable product that Afkar.me can funnel into an existing pipeline and easily take to market.
Read MoreJuan Jose de la Torre, Vice President Strategy & Corporate Development at Intigral, discusses the launch of Afkar.me and explains how it all works.
Read MoreThe Dubai-based digital media company Intigral is looking to expand its footprint with plans to work with up to 16 telecoms operators across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) by the end of the year.
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