Start-up Evening at Muscat Inter-Continental
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The Knowledge Mine – Ernst & Young Big Business Idea Competition 2006, Oman’s first nationwide business plan competition is holding a Start-up Evening at the Muscat Inter-Continental Hotel at 7:00pm on 3 July.
The competition - in its first year - is viewed by many as a launch pad for participating entrants to successfully raise investment for their commercial ventures. The competition has a top prize of RO6,000 (US$15,500) and rent free accommodation in the Knowledge Mine business incubator program. According to the organizers, the Start-up Evening will include a brief on the competition, a presentation by Ernst & Young on how to write a business plan plus a presentation by Mohammed Al Rasbi, Founder and CEO of R&D, a start-up firm based in the TKM incubator program.
Ibtisam Al Faruji (pictured above), Head of Marketing, PEIE and organizer of the competition said: “the competition is limited to Omani nationals and we welcome entries from individuals, teams, students and entrepreneurs – anyone with a good, innovative idea for a technology-driven business should think about participating in the competition. The idea should be original or a significant improvement on an existing business. Indeed, the 3 July Start-up Evening will be an excellent opportunity for people to learn more about the competition and what it means to create a start-up company.”
“If you are new to business and creating a business idea, you will learn a lot by participating in the Big Business Idea Competition. Entrants will receive high-level feedback on their business idea and the chance to learn more about processes of business. We believe that the competition is a highly-prestigious platform for successful new venture creation – it offers entrants access to networks, training and valuable contacts, and it helps further understanding of the investment process and what constitutes a realistic marketable idea,” said Ahmed Al Hadhrami, Marketing Officer, PEIE.
In partnership with Ernst & Young, TKM is also running three pre-competition workshops. “The first two workshops - 25 June and 2 July - were a big hit with those that attended. Having free access to experts from Ernst & Young is an opportunity that doesn’t come along everyday,” commented Al Faruji. The next workshop will be held at Knowledge Oasis Muscat, building 1 at 5:00pm on 9 July. “The three workshops are intended to take a close look at what it means to research and write a business plan plus how to use it to raise investment for your business,” remarked Al Hadhrami. The workshops are free of charge. To reserve a place for the workshops or to attend the Start-up Evening call: 24155132 or e-mail:
