Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum: day one

It’s a pleasure to see the creative industries treated as an identifiable business path for entrepreneurs with its own special issues, culture and needs. This two-day event, an initiative of Al Quoz Creative Zone and Dubai Culture, looks like a decent first step; there’s obviously some self-promotion from businesses looking for business, but in general it’s a fast-paced blend of workshops, actionable guidance and networking opportunities – plus a live pitching competition on day two, always nerve-wracking for the participants and great fun (occasionally eye-opening) for the audience.

As well as the timed sessions there will be ‘support stations’ (which we assume to mean ‘manned booths’) from

• LinkedIn Learning
• MakeWorks
• Zoho
• Lets Work
• Dubai SME
• Dubai Economy
• Hayi
• Wasl
• Commercial Bank of Dubai

It’s all free, but obviously there will be restrictions on space so get in quick … The workshops also require separate registration: check the website.

Day One schedule:

10:00 – 11:00 Workshop The Business Blueprint Creative Entrepreneurs Wish They Knew Sooner

Think Media Labs outlines how creative businesses can implement and run core business elements

10:00 – 11:00 Workshop Elevate Your Presence as a Creator on LinkedIn

Tips and advice from LinkedIn

11:00 – 12:00 Panel From Placemaking to Creative Making

Creative entrepreneurship at an ecosystem level. Panel: Lisa Ball-Lechgar (deputy director of Tashkeel); Ben McGregor (Senior VP of Investment & Leasing at ICD Brookfield Place); Leen Sadder (Director of Community at ATÖLYE). Moderator: Rashed Al Mulla (founder, Mabnai)

11:00 – 13:00 Workshop Brand Sprint for Entrepreneurs

Three hours with Ideation Labs to learn about the Brand Sprint methodology for creating brand identity, values and personality for an organization

11:00 – 12:00 Storytelling Journalism in Arts and Culture

The nuances of arts and culture writing and journalism with Maan Jalal from The National

12:00 – 13:00 Workshop Designing Authentic Experience in the age of AI and ChatGPT

How to harness AI’s potential while maintaining authenticity in service design and digital experiences. Learn ethical considerations and practical strategies with Human Centered Design

12:00 – 13:00 Gamified Networking Drop-in networking session

Guided self assessment with Ikra intended to foster collaborations, empower entrepreneurs and stakeholders in the creative ecosystem, and kickstart meaningful dialogues

14:00 – 15:00 Panel Dubai Success Stories

How Dubai’s cultural and economic landscape has played a role in fostering creative entrepreneurship. Panel: Big Hass (host of Saudi Arabia’s first and only FM hip-hop radio show, founder of Re-Volt Blog and Re-Volt Magazine); Samer Hamadeh (founder of Big Mouth Concepts); Rachael Brown (Co-founder and Creative Director of Capsule Arts)

14:00 – 15:00 Workshop Curb Your Enthusiasm

Collaborate with Dubai Design Lab designers to craft a research plan to kickstart an open dialogue with your audience (best suited for participants with early-stage business ideas)

14:00 – 15:00 Micro-mentorship One-on-one Consultations

Brief one-on-one business guidance and advice sessions with Dubai branding agency Yellow; MakeWorks UAE for materials and production options; Alserkal Arts Foundation to review your creative portfolio

15:00 – 16:00 Gamified Networking Drop-in networking session

As above

15:00 – 15:30 Zoho workshop Drop-in session

With Zoho, maker of business software and web based tools

15:00 – 16:00 Keynote Five Things I’ve Learned About Building a Design Business in Dubai

Pallavi Dean founded her very successful design firm Roar in 2013 and should have much to say about the practicalities

16:00 – 17:00 Workshop How to Get Your First 1,000 Clients

Actionable insights to kickstart your startup, art project, YouTube channel, or business from Buildspace

16:00 – 17:00 Micro-mentorship One-on-one Consultations

Brief one-on-one business guidance and advice sessions with Dubai restaurant group Zest; business consultancy Twig; business events specialist Informa Connect