In recent years, MENA has produced increasing numbers of unicorns as international companies like Yahoo, Amazon, and Uber acquire local firms like Maktoob, Souq.com, and Careem. These exits have injected billions into the region’s entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems. The ex-unicorn employees that are founding new generations of businesses and risk capital are defining the startup ecosystem in MENA. Some refer to these networks of ex-employees turned founders and investors as a “mafia” because they resemble an archetype: the “PayPal Mafia.” However, as entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems accelerate across MENA, how can its stakeholders make sure to move beyond that to something that is truly inclusive?

In this panel, we will discuss the evolution of the ecosystem in MENA with a group of founders who are shaping the future of inclusivity in entrepreneurship and innovation.

The panel will reflect on the article "Breaking the Mold: Can the MENA Region be a Leader in Inclusive Capital?" written by Dina Sherif and Regie Maurcio from the Legatum Center at MIT for MEI’s publication Thinking MENA Futures.

Speakers:

Mona Ataya
CEO and founder, Mumzworld.com

Fadi Ghandour
Executive chairman, Wamda Group

Regie Jesus Miacrucis Mauricio
Research manager, Legatum Center, MIT

Mohamed Okasha
Founder and managing partner, DisrupTech

Hadeer Shalaby
Managing director, Talabat

Dina Sherif (moderator)
Executive director, Legatum Center, MIT; co-founder, Ahead of the Curve