Investopia 2024

Emerging Economic Frontiers: Investing in the "New Economy" Growth Sectors

A global platform connecting investors to new economic opportunities and sectors, set for Feb 28-29.

28-29 February 2024

Investopia 2024 is designed around three key pillars

Investopia 2024 took place in the St. Regis Abu Dhabi- Saadiyat Island Resort on February 28 and 29, 2024. Under the theme “Emerging Economic Frontiers: Investing in the “New Economy” Growth Sectors”, the world’s most ambitious visionaries, leaders, and investors gathered to share their latest thinking on opportunities in the new economies that will mark the global economy in the next decade.

We invite you to join this growing community and become part of the future at Investopia. Engage with the latest thinking on the global investment opportunities and trends ahead. Enjoy unparalleled access to key global stakeholders and growth leaders in the UAE and expand your thinking and network at this two-day event.

The Dialogue

Leaders, executives, government officials, and innovators discuss in headline plenaries key topics shaping the global economy, the investment ecosystem, and new economic sectors. Topics include Generative AI in investment, advanced air mobility, economic fragmentation, alternative asset classes and others.

The Communities

A series of engagements designed to engage specific stakeholders within the investment ecosystem, such as family offices, SMEs & startups, social entrepreneurs, and SWFs. Carefully curated roundtables and private discussions aiming to develop impactful strategic partnerships and business opportunities.

The Marketplace

An expanded space, following its success in Investopia’s 2nd edition, specifically designed to facilitate the flow of capital between the various players in the investment ecosystem, including funds, allocators, startups, VCs and others. It is where real matchmaking activities, direct investment announcements, and MOU signings take place.

H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri

UAE Minister of Economy & Chairman of Investopia

Anthony Scaramucci

Founder & Managing Partner of SkyBridge Capital

H.E. Khaldoon Al Mubarak

Managing Director and Group CEO of Mubadala

Marlene Puffer

CIO at AIMCo

H.E. Simon Coveney

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment of Ireland

Idris Elba

Actor, Filmmaker, Musician, Entrepreneur, and Activist

Adam Goldstein

Founder & CEO of Archer

Eric Cantor

Vice Chairman and MD at Moelis

Ulrike Hoffmann-Burchardi

Head CIO Equities at UBS

Eric Anziani

President and COO at Crypto.com

Bob Prince

Co-CIO at Bridgewater Associates

Nathan Sheets

Global Chief Economist at Citi

Alexander von zur Mühlen

CEO for Asia Pacific & Member of the Management Board at Deutsche Bank

Giorgio Furlani

CEO of AC Milan

H.E Dumitru Alaiba

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization of Moldova

H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri

UAE Minister of Economy & Chairman of Investopia

Anthony Scaramucci

Founder & Managing Partner of SkyBridge Capital

H.E. Khaldoon Al Mubarak

Managing Director and Group CEO of Mubadala

Marlene Puffer

CIO at AIMCo

H.E. Simon Coveney

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment of Ireland

Idris Elba

Actor, Filmmaker, Musician, Entrepreneur, and Activist

Adam Goldstein

Founder & CEO of Archer

Eric Cantor

Vice Chairman and MD at Moelis

Ulrike Hoffmann-Burchardi

Head CIO Equities at UBS

Eric Anziani

President and COO at Crypto.com

Bob Prince

Co-CIO at Bridgewater Associates

Nathan Sheets

Global Chief Economist at Citi

Alexander von zur Mühlen

CEO for Asia Pacific & Member of the Management Board at Deutsche Bank

Giorgio Furlani

CEO of AC Milan

H.E Dumitru Alaiba

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization of Moldova

Investopia 2024 Program

Investopia 2024 featured 3 tracks: Dialogue, Communities, and Marketplace to discuss trends and opportunities in new economies, connect allocators with fund managers, and bring together venture capitalists and startup founders to accelerate innovation and growth.

Dialogue

Communities

🕘 9:30

📝 READ SUMMARY

Welcome Address

Session Speakers

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri

Anthony Scaramucci

🕘 9:50

📝 READ SUMMARY

New Economic Frontiers Unveiled: Navigating the Unknown

The global economic landscape is rapidly evolving amidst global uncertainty, the emergence of new sectors and markets, and growth-driving investment opportunities.

What are the key factors driving the emergence of these new economic sectors and markets, and what role do senior government representatives, private sector CEOs, and leading international investors play in identifying and capitalizing on growth opportunities?

Session Speakers

Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin

Francois Bourguignon

Nathan Sheets

Moderator

John Defterios

🕘 10:20

📝 READ SUMMARY

Keynote Speech With H.E. Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Group CEO of Mubadala

Session Speakers

H.E. Khaldoon Al Mubarak

🕘 10:50

Coffee Break

🕘 11:10

📝 READ SUMMARY

Investing in the Creative Economy: A Conversation with Idris Elba

Session Speakers

Idris Elba

Moderator

Kris Fade

🕘 11:30

📝 READ SUMMARY

2024 Revealed: The Geopolitical and Economic Mosaic

The evolving landscape of geopolitical dynamics, economic fragmentation, and financial shocks have a strong impact on policy makers, corporates, and strategic investment decisions.

What does 2024 look like and what measures can be taken to navigate potential challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities?

Session Speakers

Raphael Thuin

Dr Helen Belopolsky

Alexander von zur Muehlen

Ahmed Al Calily

Moderator

Hisham Ayass

🕘 12:10

📝 READ SUMMARY

Navigating the New Economy: Global Economic Trends Challenging Governments

Rapid global economic transformations are forcing nations to adapt in order to face digital disruption, environmental imperatives, and evolving trade networks.

How are countries innovating their economic policies and working together to use global economic trends for growth and to foster resilience and prosperity in this dynamic context?

Session Speakers

H.E. Ryad Mezzour

Jose-Maria Figueres

H.E Valentino Valentini

Moderator

John Defterios

🕘 12:40

Future 100: Launch of the 2024 Edition

🕘 12:45

Lunch

🕘 14:15

📝 READ SUMMARY

Capital Shifts: From Old Titans to Emerging Titans

Emerging markets and new regions are become significantly more central in the global economy and are reshaping the global investment landscape.

What are the emerging markets and regions that present new and exciting investment opportunities and how has the role of traditional financial centers like New York and London evolved in response to these shifts?

Session Speakers

Martin Tricaud

Manuel Falco

Jerry Zang

Moderator

Maurice Button

🕘 14:45

📝 READ SUMMARY

Aviation: Reimagining the Skies

The aviation industry is subject to various transformative, trends from technological innovation and the imperative of sustainability to changes in travelers' preferences and emergence of eVTOLs.

How does the future of aviation and urban mobility look like, and what are the investment opportunities to seize in this dynamic sector?

Session Speakers

Kuljit Ghata-Aura

Adam Goldstein

Moderator

Tom Hudson

🕘 15:15

📝 READ SUMMARY

Unveiling the Digital Frontier: Where Traditional and Digital Finance Converge in Alternative Investments

The world of alternative investment is undergoing major changes as traditional finance and digital finance converge, and cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology reshape the very definition of alternative investments.

How are digital assets like Bitcoin, NFTs, and DeFi projects creating entirely new avenues for investors to diversify their portfolios, and what should traditional financial institutions do to remain competitive in an increasingly digital asset-driven landscape?

Session Speakers

Jenny Zeng

Eric Anziani

Gautam Sharma

Moderator

Georgia Tolley

🕘 15:35

📝 READ SUMMARY

Investment in Sports: Tapping into the Thriving Market

From team ownership and athlete endorsements to sports tech startups and e-sports ventures, sports-related investment opportunities are becoming ever more diverse.

What are the trends shaping this high-energy sector both physically and digitally and what are some opportunities for individual and institutional investors?

Session Speakers

Tom Corbett

Giorgio Furlani

Moderator

Nathalie Mamo

🕘 16:05

📝 READ SUMMARY

Generative AI redefining the Investment Ecosystem

Generative AI is changing the world as we know it. It is revolutionizing data analysis, risk assessment, and portfolio optimization, hence leading to reshaping global investment strategies.

How is the global investment landscape adapting and responding to this transformative wave, and does it pave the way for more informed and profitable investments?

Session Speakers

Naima Al Falasi

Ali Hussein

Ulrike Hoffmann-Burchardi

Patrick Zhong

Moderator

Dr. Noah Raford

🕘 9:00

📝 READ SUMMARY

Strategic Priorities in a Shifting Global Landscape: A Policy Perspective

As the global landscape undergoes significant shifts the strategic geopolitical, economic, and sustainability priorities set by nations to navigate these changes are reshuffled.

What strategies are nations adopting to remain resilient and competitive, and how are these priorities influencing global collaboration and development?

Session Speakers

H.E. George Papanastasiou

H.E. Simon Coveney

H.E. Simonas Šatūnas

H.E Dumitru Alaiba

H.E. Wale Edun

Moderator

John Defterios

🕘 9:40

📝 READ SUMMARY

Hospitality Unleashed: Charting New Paths in Tourism Investment

Global tourism has finally rebounded in the post-COVID era where we've witnessed a resurgence in travel and substantial shifts in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

What are the key trends currently shaping the sector and how are businesses and investors gearing up to capitalize on the growing demand and shift in tourist patterns and expectations?

Session Speakers

Aloki Batra

Antonio Gonzales

Caroline Abramo

Moderator

Hisham Ayass

🕘 10:10

📝 READ SUMMARY

Evolving landscape of public capital markets in the Middle East

Public capital markets in the Middle East are evolving quickly with digitalization, innovation, and a rising number of new listings.

What are the regulatory developments that are influencing market dynamics and how can these markets increase attractiveness to local and foreign investors?

Session Speakers

Simon Kitchen

Nour Safa

Alan Williamson

Bassel Khatoun

Moderator

Hala Bou Alwan

🕘 10:40

Coffee Break

🕘 11:00

📝 READ SUMMARY

Live Long and Prosper: Investing in Longevity, Wellness and Healthcare

The convergence of healthcare, wellness, and longevity represents a new frontier for investors. This evolving landscape, fueled by technological advances and demographic shifts, is creating opportunities to invest in the future of health.

What trends are defining the future of healthcare investment? How can investors identify and leverage the growth in wellness and longevity to build a resilient, health-focused portfolio?

Session Speakers

Shahrukh Hashmi

Aaron Weaver

Gabrielle Rubenstein

Moderator

Hala Bou Alwan

🕘 11:20

📝 READ SUMMARY

Strategic Asset Allocation in an Uncertain World

Developing investment strategies and investment decision-making is becoming increasingly complex in this rapidly changing and uncertain global environment.

How can investors adapt their strategic asset allocation models to navigate uncertainty, manage risks, and capture opportunities, and what are the key considerations for constructing resilient portfolios that can withstand volatility and economic fluctuations?

Session Speakers

Bob Prince

Steve Moseley

Eric Cantor

Marlene Puffer

Moderator

May Nasrallah

🕘 12:00

📝 READ SUMMARY

Family Wealth 2.0: Redefining Investment Strategies

Family wealth is faced with a rapidly transforming investment ecosystem forcing it to adapt and innovate to set itself apart from other actors in the investment landscape.

What differentiates the investment strategies of family wealth from traditional institutional investors and other market participants, and how can this wealth play a more present and active role within the investment ecosystem?

Session Speakers

R Dinesh

Amine Bentaleb

Subhajit Gupta

Ayman Hariri

Moderator

George Triplow

🕘 12:40

📝 READ SUMMARY

Investing in Luxury

The luxury industry has consistently displayed dynamism and adaptability. With digital disruption and shifting consumer behavior, the market is experiencing substantial changes that directly influence investment strategies.

To explore emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges in the luxury market, investors must discover innovative approaches to stay ahead of the curve.

Session Speakers

Giuseppe Pastorelli

Philippe Camperio

Moderator

Nigel Sillitoe

G2G Sessions

Government-to-Government strategic investment programs and Sovereign Wealth Funds are playing an increasingly important role in the investment ecosystem. As a result, Investopia 3rd edition introduced a special G2G track where government officials from around the world led distinguished delegations of businesses eager to connect with potential investors from the Middle East, or bring innovative projects, investment opportunities, and strategic partnerships that can be of interest to local and regional SWFs.

Suitable for: Government Officials, Sovereign Wealth Funds, and businesses seeking investment connections and opportunities

Roundtable - Family Offices: Catalysing ESG and Shaping the Future

In partnership with Standard Chartered Bank and the UAE-UK Business Council

This roundtable discussion came as a follow up to the Business Council’s event on private wealth and impact investment held during CoP28. It focused on how sustainability will be a thread underpinning investment in new economies and on the rapidly increasing interest from family offices in sustainable investments. Furthermore, it covered risks & opportunities of pivoting a wealth portfolio towards sustainability objectives, the trends that are arising and how the next generation are using their wealth to deliver impact investment objectives.

Suitable for: Family Offices, Investment Professionals within family offices, and those interested in understanding and engaging with the evolving strategies and roles of family offices in the investment landscape

🕐 Feb 28, 11:30 to 12:30

📍 Grand Boardroom, VIP Lounge Area (1st floor)

Roundtable - Generative AI & the Future of Business

In partnership with Eros Investment

Generative AI broke onto the business landscape in late 2022, with the launch of ChatGPT, and since then organizations have raced to leverage the potential of generative AI. Ninety-five percent of businesses report they are now using generative AI in some form, but which sectors have the most to gain from GenAI, and how does enterprises unlock maximum value from the technologies?

Join us for this interactive and informal round table session where we here from AI experts on the full potential of generative AI, lessons to learned from first movers, and the way ahead of business adoption of GenAI.

Speakers:

Dr. Ning wang - Head of Dept. & Senior Fellow, Oxford University
Andrew Jackson - Chief AI officer, Core 42
Dr. Shivagami Gugan - Chief Technologist Middle East, Amazon
Rafal Modrzewski - CEO & Co-founder, Iceye
Nick Clements - Chief Marketing Officer, Presight (Curator)
Sam Huber - Founder and CEO of Landvault

🕐 Feb 29, 11:00 to 12:30

📍 Boardroom 2 (2nd floor)

iConnections Breakfast - LP Perspectives 2024: Finding the Right Balance in Public and Private Markets (Private Event)

In partnership with SALT and Investopia

Speakers shared insights on the key factors shaping their decisions in public markets— which sectors look resilient, and how do they see future returns in thematic areas such as Technology/AI, Healthcare and Green Energy. How will private market investments compliment this, as investors consider their long-term liquidity options? What investment themes will they be actively pursuing to diversify returns? With global risks still rising, LPs will need to take a nuanced approach to capital deployment in 2024, blending traditional and alternative asset classes.

Speakers:

Amy Freeman - Director, Manager Research, Prelude
Steve Moseley - Managing Director, Wafra
Steve Drobny - Managing Partner, Clocktower Group

🕐 Feb 29, 8:00 to 9:00

📍 Grand Boardroom, VIP Lounge Area (1st floor)

Future 100

A national initiative launched by the Ministry of Economy in partnership with the Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, the Future 100’s objective is to list, celebrate, and support UAE-based SMEs making a promising contribution to the UAE’s future economic sectors. Hence, in November 2023, the Future 100 list of top future enterprises was announced in a grand ceremony.

As these companies play a significant role in the development of new economies, Investopia’s 3^rd edition included a program curated to support the growth and development of these 100 companies. This program was composed of various activities including special thematic sessions, roundtables with VCs, meetings with investors, partner collaboration and other relevant activities.

More about Future 100 https://future100.ae/

Cap Intro

In line with Investopia's purpose to bring together stakeholders from across the investment ecosystem and to facilitate the creation of investment opportunities, Investopia 2024 expanded the Capital Introduction activity originally introduced during Investopia's 2nd edition, in partnership with Connections, to connect a global network of allocators with a diverse range of fund managers to facilitate the proper flow of capital.

How does it work?

1.⁠ ⁠Step 1: Managers provide complete profiles that can be filtered on the iConnections platform, beginning with high-level data such as structure and strategy, and honing down to the details such as Sharpe ratio and social focus
2.⁠ ⁠Step 2: Allocators then reach out, through the platform, to managers that seem to fit them best based on their investment preferences and the needs of their portfolio
3.⁠ ⁠Step 3: The meetings are only confirmed once both sides agree to take the
4.⁠ ⁠Step 4: Once the meeting is confirmed, Connections has proprietary optimization technology that will match your requested meetings to build out a schedule

More about iConnections
iConnections is the largest cap intro platform in the world. It presents a new model for the alternative investment industry, connecting a global network of allocators with a diverse range of fund managers via the iConnections platform and bespoke events. https://iconnections.io

Suitable for: Allocators, Fund Managers, VCs, Family Offices

Day 1
Day 2

🕘 11:30 - 11:40

Opening: Future 100: Building UAE's Future Economy

Join H.E. Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi as he presents insights into the transformative Future 100 program. Discover how this initiative is shaping the landscape of the UAE's economy by accelerating innovative startups and scaleups, and explore the diverse array of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders gathered to drive forward the nation's economic future. Join H.E. Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi as he presents insights into the transformative Future 100 program. Discover how this initiative is shaping the landscape of the UAE's economy by accelerating innovative startups and scaleups, and explore the diverse array of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders gathered to drive forward the nation's economic future.

Session Speakers

H.E. Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi

🕘 11:40 -12:10

Future 100 Companies Disrupting New Economy Sectors

Future 100 companies Valeo Health, Revent, and AR Engineering speak to EmiratesNBD on embarking on the dynamic innovation journey of enterprises as they navigate the realm of new economic sectors and pioneering business models, driving forward transformative change and unlocking boundless opportunities for growth and adaptation. Witness the evolution of strategies, technologies, and mindsets that propel these ventures towards success in the ever-evolving landscape of modern commerce.

Session Speakers

Akram Amir

Baldeep Singh

Sundeep Sahni

Moderator

Charu Ramchandani Bhagwandas

🕘 12:10 - 12:20

Fueling Growth: Emirates Development Bank on Financing UAE's Economic Transformation

Learn about Emirates Development Bank’s pivotal role in financing the UAE's economic evolution. Discover how their strategic initiatives focused on the UAE’s future economy are driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth.

Session Speakers

Shaker Zainal

🕘 12:20- 12:40

Scaling Innovation: Pure Harvest's Path to International Success

Pure Harvest Smart Farms shares insights into their remarkable journey of international expansion, revealing the strategies behind their successful business scaling. Gain firsthand knowledge from industry leaders as they delve into the challenges, triumphs, and innovative approaches that have propelled Pure Harvest to global acclaim.

Session Speakers

David Scott

Moderator

Shane Shin

🕘 12:55 - 14:15

Lunch

🕘 14:15 - 14:30

Exploring Future of Advanced Manufacturing Through Intelligent Robotics

Join us for a fireside chat with Moody’s, speaking to pioneering data-centric future companies revolutionizing advanced manufacturing through intelligent robotic solutions – Falcon Robotics & Marses Robotics. With a commitment to leveraging AI and machine learning for real-time data-driven insights, they are shaping the future of industry by prioritizing user-centric technology and connected knowledge-based solutions  

Session Speakers

Mohamed Abdul Rahman

Ahmad AlDarwish

🕘 14:30 - 14:45

StarzPlay Arabia: Appealing to Sovereign Wealth Fund Investors

Join StarzPlay Arabia as they unravel the strategies behind attracting sovereign wealth fund investors. Discover the key insights and innovative approaches driving StarzPlay's success in appealing to these influential investment entities in the ever-evolving media landscape.

Session Speakers

Maaz Sheikh

🕘 14:45 - 15:15

The Role of Investment in Unlocking New Economy Potential

Explore the pivotal role of investments in harnessing the potential of the new economy. Join industry leaders including MEVP, Dubai Future District Fund, Venture Souq, and Hub71 as they delve into the strategies and insights driving funding decisions that shape the future of emerging sectors and innovative business models.

Session Speakers

Tiffany Bain

Sonia Weymuller

Ivan Jakovljevic

Moderator

Walid Mansour

🕘 15:15 - 15:30

Founder's Journey: Democratizing Investing

Discover the transformative journey of Sarwa as they revolutionize the investment landscape through democratization. Gain insights into their innovative approach and the profound impact it has on empowering individuals to navigate the world of finance with confidence and accessibility.

Session Speakers

Nadine Mezher

🕘 15:30 - 15:45

Innovative Alliances: Government-Business Collaborations Shaping Sustainability

Majra - National CSR Fund delves into the pivotal role of government-business partnerships in driving sustainability agendas forward. Discover how innovative alliances are reshaping the landscape of corporate social responsibility, fostering impactful initiatives that contribute to sustainable development goals.

Session Speakers

Nuha Al Harmoudi

🕘 15:45 - 15:55

The Future of Thought: Co-Authoring a Book with ChatGPT in 19 Hours

Step into an illuminating fireside dialogue as Yasmine, a French-Moroccan teenager raised in Dubai, unveils her remarkable tale of co-authoring a book alongside ChatGPT in a mere 19 hours. Explore the profound philosophical inquiry into the convergence of human and artificial intelligence: Whose thoughts truly shaped the narrative—Yasmine's or ChatGPT's?

Session Speakers

Yasmine Karimi

Moderator

Khalid Kalbat

🕘 15:55 - 16:10

Global Expansion Strategies: Scaling into New Markets

Join DEEL and Lyve Global for a fireside chat on navigating international expansion and talent acquisition strategies, where industry leaders will share insights on identifying markets, establishing presence, and achieving global success. Gain invaluable advice from experts who have mastered the art of scaling into new territories

Moderator

Karim Bakhache

Tarek Salam

🕘 9:30 - 10:00

The Rise of Sustainability: Are Mission-driven Businesses Achieving Commercial Viability?

Join the industry experts and enterprises including Neutral Fuels, HeroGo, and Rebound to examine the intersection of sustainability and profitability. Explore the challenges and successes of mission-driven enterprises as they navigate the path towards commercial viability in an increasingly conscientious market landscape.

Session Speakers

Maryam Al Mansoori

Daniel Solomon

Karl W. Feilder

Moderator

Dana Kamali

🕘 10:00 - 10:15

Builder.ai: Building Software with the Power of Your Voice

Builder.ai, the AI-powered composable software platform, will showcase how anyone can move from idea to software development - just by harnessing the power of speech. Their innovative solutions use the world’s first AI product manager to unlock the potential of every entrepreneur and every organisation on the planet - ensuring no one’s ability to create is impacted by restricted tech skills. Learn from the companies Founder how their AI powered approach embodies the belief that software, guided by the human voice, can revolutionize the way we interact with technology. 

Session Speakers

Sachin Dev Duggal

🕘 10:15 - 10:35

Founder's Journey: Botim's Growth Strategy in the MENA region and the world

Explore Botim's founder's journey as they unveil the strategic blueprint behind their remarkable growth in the MENA region and beyond. Join this compelling talk to uncover the visionary leadership and innovative tactics that have propelled Botim to the forefront of global communication technology.

Session Speakers

Abdallah Abu-Sheikh

🕘 10:40 - 10:50

Break

🕘 10:50 - 11:10

Revolutionizing the Future: Exploring Innovation in Ecommerce Delivery

Join us for a fireside chat between Stripe with swftbox as they delve into revolutionizing the future of ecommerce delivery, exploring innovative solutions and disruptive technologies.

Session Speakers

Mohammad Absi Halabi

Moderator

Omar Kandil

🕘 11:10 - 11:30

Unleashing the Potential : Investing in AI-Driven Service Management with Arrowlabs

Join us for an engaging fireside chat between Global Ventures, a renowned VC firm, and Arrowlabs, a trailblazing AI-driven platform in the bio supply sector. Discover how Arrowlabs' innovative approach to measuring, managing, and optimizing service jobs is revolutionizing the industry, backed by nine years of unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

Session Speakers

Rami Darwish

Moderator

Noor Sweid

🕘 11:30 - 11:45

Pioneering Intelligent Mobility: A Fireside Chat with the First UAE Electric Motorcycle

Join Supercool Mobility Centers and Sulmi for an insightful discussion on the potential of intelligent mobility in the UAE and globally, exploring innovative solutions shaping the future of transportation in the region and beyond.

Session Speakers