Please note that the schedule and panel lineup are subject to change. Kindly refer to this space for the most up-to-date information.
Demystifies investor thinking — valuation, traction, and due diligence — for early-stage founders from the UAE and the region.
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PANELISTS:
Tariq Khan
In this fireside chat, Tariq Khan — Venture Partner at Elevate Capital, seasoned angel investor, and co-founder of the Indian unicorn Games24x7 — will reflect on a career that spans global finance, entrepreneurship, and early-stage investing across two continents. Drawing on his experience scaling Games24x7 from an idea to a category-defining company, Khan
will share lessons on identifying contrarian opportunities, building conviction ahead of market shifts, and backing founders through uncertainty. The conversation will also examine the evolving landscape of AI startups in the UAE and other emerging markets, including what excites investors, where capital is flowing, and how founders in these regions can build globally competitive companies. With insights shaped by his tenure at institutions such as Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, and Citigroup, and his deep involvement mentoring founders through TiE New York, Khan will offer candid perspectives on what differentiates enduring startups from short-lived experiments in a rapidly changing global tech ecosystem.
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Asif Ismail, CEO & Publisher, The American Bazaar
Breaking into the U.S. market remains the ultimate milestone for many startups — but it’s also one of the hardest to achieve. This panel brings together investors, legal experts, and founders who have successfully navigated the journey from idea to international scale. The discussion will focus on how startups from the UAE, MENA, and India can expand into the U.S. while building globally competitive AI-driven businesses.
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PANELISTS
Malika Malik
Malika Malik, a leading artificial intelligence strategist, advisor, and investor, will share her journey from shaping AI at global technology giants to building in the UAE’s rapidly evolving AI ecosystem. Having recently left her role at Google UK—where she played a key role in influencing the future direction of AI—Malik has founded myAIcademy, a startup focused on advancing AI literacy, responsible adoption, and workforce readiness. Now based in the UAE, she will discuss what motivated her move, why she believes the region is emerging as a serious global AI hub, and what founders and investors should understand about building AI companies in this market.
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Across the Gulf, family offices are emerging as some of the most active and influential investors in AI, technology, and emerging markets. But partnering with them requires more than a solid business plan — it demands trust, alignment, and shared values. This panel explores how startups and investors from the U.S., India, and the UAE can structure meaningful joint ventures with family offices to accelerate growth and impact.
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MODERATOR:
Sanjay Puri
Sanjay Puri, founder of Regulating AI, will share insights from his work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, policy, and global governance. The conversation will explore how startups and innovators can build AI responsibly while navigating an evolving regulatory landscape across the U.S., Europe, and emerging markets.
Drawing on his experience working with governments, enterprises, and AI stakeholders, Puri will discuss why regulation is no longer a constraint but a strategic advantage for AI companies, and how founders can design products that are both globally competitive and compliant by design. The session will also examine the growing role of the UAE and other forward-looking jurisdictions in shaping AI policy, and what this means for startups seeking to scale internationally.
The session will offer founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders a practical perspective on aligning innovation with trust, governance, and long-term impact in the age of AI.
The session will spotlight a curated group of AI and deep-tech founders building innovative products at the pre-seed to Series A stage. Selected startups will present concise, investor-focused pitches to a room of U.S. and global investors, followed by live feedback and discussion. The showcase is designed to surface high-potential ideas, stress-test business models, and connect founders with capital, strategic partners, and mentors who understand global scale.
The session will focus on clarity of problem-solution fit, defensibility of technology, early traction, and the roadmap to commercialization—particularly for startups looking to expand across the Middle East, India, and U.S. markets.
This is a forum for founders seeking early capital, strategic guidance, and visibility with investors actively looking for the next generation of AI and deep-tech companies.
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The session offers founders a fast-paced opportunity to present their startup ideas in a concise, high-impact format. Selected startups will have 60 to 90 seconds to deliver a sharp, compelling pitch to a room of investors, operators, and ecosystem leaders—no slides, no demos, just clarity of vision.
This session is designed to test how well founders can articulate the problem they are solving, their solution, market opportunity, and why they are uniquely positioned to win. Following each pitch, participants may receive brief feedback or follow-up questions, helping founders refine their messaging and investor readiness.
The session is ideal for early-stage startups seeking visibility, quick validation, and connections, and for investors looking to identify promising ideas efficiently. It is a dynamic, high-energy segment that captures the spirit of Startup Bazaar—focused, founder-driven, and opportunity-rich.
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