Levelling the playing field
Zeina Akkawi’s club provides tools needed by startups to get in the game
Studies have consistently shown that the difference between an entrepreneurial success and a failure often boils down to access and connectivity — particularly in the early stages of a startup. To fill the gap, Dubai-based entrepreneurs Dr Sara Al Madani and Zeina Akkawi launched a social club and accelerator in markets including the UAE, the GCC, Lebanon, UK and the US.
The PlayPreneurs Club is a specialist accelerator for entrepreneurs, business owners and executives. It offers a powerful mix of connections, events, workshops, networking platforms and the resources that high achievers need to accelerate career success.
“We have built startups ourselves some had failed and others were successful. With our years of experience and being entrepreneurs ourselves, we know what entrepreneurs and startups require and [what they] lack. Many of us always look for mentoring, PR, connections, profiling and guidance when it comes to specific parts within our businesses and this is what PlayPreneur will help individuals to achieve,” Zeina, co-founder of PlayPreneurs, explains.
She says the company is an international multi-cultural network of several entrepreneurs, executives and other professionals coming from different businesses. “Our members consist of men and women that come from different nationalities; and our team comprises of successful entrepreneurs, investors and different industry experts.”
Zeina claims that the idea of PlayPreneurs is quite meaningful because it has a purpose.
“It meets a need and it solves a lot of hassles, serves different markets and creates a new link between different entrepreneurs in the world. On the other hand, it is also an actionable platform that will help turn ideas into innovations by assisting different entrepreneurs with their needs under this club; enhance, extend, and leverage existing relationships, as well as serve to create new ones,” she explains. “PlayPreneurs is a transformational entity. It improves and helps business people connect, share ideas and find the right and suitable mentors to help them implement what they need,” she adds.
Zeina believes that the incentives given by the government has made UAE is a perfect place to start an entrepreneurial journey. She says the upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai is opening tremendous opportunities for the businesses.
As a serial entrepreneur, Akkawi says she has many plans in her mind for the future ventures. “Personally, I think the ‘women’s’ sector is one of the most important categories, since they are playing a vital role in our society today. Women are establishing businesses and working on very innovative startup ideas. Therefore, this is something we would like to focus on, explore it more and empower it under our club so we can benefit them as much as possible,” she describes.
“Additionally, another part category to focus on are the youth — our upcoming new generation of entrepreneurs
I think the women’s sector is one of the most important categories, since they are playing a vital role in our society today. Women are establishing businesses and working on very innovative startup ideas. Therefore, this is something we would like to focus on, explore it more and empower it under our club so we can benefit them as much as possible
Zeina Akkawi, Co-founder of The PlayPreneurs Club
— to encourage and make something out of them. Mentoring university students and unleashing their potential will also be one of our aims,” she adds.
Zeina advises young entrepreneurs to challenge themselves, to do work they care about and love; to take risks and believe in themselves.
“Most importantly they need to have a vision and act upon achieving it,” Zeina concludes.