2007 BBIC Finalists Announced

E-security, online retail, internet research and survey and multimedia projects, are among the new technology ventures short-listed for this year's TKM – Ernst & Young Big Business Idea Competition final which will be held Sunday 28 October at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Muscat.

The TKM – Ernst & Young Big Business Idea Competition, the largest such competition in Oman, has selected four potentially high-growth businesses, drawn from entries from around the sultanate, to compete on 28 October for RO6,000 of start-up finance and 12 months rent free office accommodation in the TKM incubator program based at Knowledge Oasis Muscat.

The four outstanding finalists are in the early stages of setting up businesses and are based on innovative ideas. The finalists are:

Saleh Al Shukairy – multimedia;
Badriya Al Baqlani, Anwar Al Tobi and Abdulhakim Al Tobi - online retail;
Majid Al Yaqoobi - online research and survey project; and
Jafer Al Mamari - e-security.

The TKM – Ernst & Young Big Business Idea Competition is a prestigious launch pad to raise investment and create high-value technology companies. The finalists will present elevator pitches to the competition’s judging panel on 28 October at the event’s annual gala dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. According to Mr. Mohammed Al Maskari, Director General, Knowledge Oasis Muscat: “The judges look at a wide range of criteria; in particular, business success either by increase in sales and unit volume, market research and identification of customer focus, organizational and team building effectiveness, strategic planning, overcoming obstacles and barriers to success, visionary leadership and social and community responsibility.”

Hilal Al Ahsani, CEO, Public Establishment for Industrial Estates said: “This is the second year that we’ve run the TKM – Ernst & Young Big Business Idea Competition and it’s developing an impressive track record for creating new ventures. However, we could not organize such an important initiative without the critical support of Ernst & Young, Nawras, Talal Abu Ghazaleh Intellectual Property; Ericsson, NCR, Grofin; Oman Economic Review and Times of Oman. We’re thrilled with the calibre of this year's entries and it has been tough job for the judging panel to narrow it down to the final four.”

Would Be Omani Tycoons Meet Up

Would be Omani business tycoons are lining up to do battle for the biggest cash prize fund of any business planning competition in Oman.

Semi-finalists of the TKM – Ernst & Young Big Business Idea Competition will gather on Wednesday at Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM) to trial their business plan pitches to this year’s judging panel for advice and feedback ready for the 28 October Final, where judges will ultimately decide who wins the prize of RO6,000 in start-up finance and 12 months rent free office accommodation in The Knowledge Mine business incubator based on KOM.

“We received over 40 applicants to this year’s competition,” commented Mohammed Al Maskari, KOM’s Director General, adding: “developing an SMS search service, online real estate, e-shopping, e-security, software for event organizers, business continuity and disaster recovery and e-travel are among the new ventures short-listed as this year’s semi-finalists. The calibre of entry has been fantastic,” remarked KOM’s Director General

The semi-finalists include: Zaha Al Abri; Ghalib Al Abri; Mohammed Al Kindi; Mundhir Al Alawi; Anwar Al Tobi; Jaifar Al Mamari; Abdullah Al Riyami; Malika Al Amri; Ahmed Al Yahmadi; Rabab Al Zaabi; Saleh Al Shukari; Ibrahim Al Mowali; Ishaq Al Mamari; Almutajaredah Al Manthari; Eiman Al Wohaibi; Khalid bin Mohammed Al Rawahy; Sultan Al Alawi; Khalid bin Saif Al Rowahy; Mohammed Al Humimi; Asma Al Thuhlia; Saif Al Hinai; Majid Al Yaqoubi; Khalid Al Yaqoubi; and Irfan Al Lawati.

The panel of judges will review the semi-finalists and select four to go forward to present at the TKM – Ernst & Young Big Business Idea Gala Dinner on 28 October at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

“We held Wednesday’s meeting to provide semi-finalists with an opportunity to meet the competition's judges as well as meet their fellow competitors and get some well-earned media exposure to help them turn their dreams into realities," added Ibtisam Al Faruji, KOM’s Head of Marketing.