Benchmark Middle East, August 2016 edition by Benchmark Middle East

benchmark middle east

August 2016 / Vol 5 No 8

Work + Play = Life

AUGUST 2016

Infographics Published from Dubai Media City

MENA start-ups, by-the-numbers p8

THE BOSS Interview Q&A with “the unicorn” Dany Farha, managing partner of BECO Capital p40

Travel Drive South A roadtrip to Oman is a trip back in time to the unspoiled nature of traditional Arabia p50

START HERE TO START UP In this month’s issue we’re talking challenges, strategies, and triumphs with the visionary business men and women who have successfully pioneered the UAE start-up scene

benchmark middle east

inside

August 2016 / Vol 5 No 8

Work + Play = Life

august 2016

AUGUST 2016

Infographics Published from Dubai Media City

MENA start-ups, by-the-numbers p8

THE BOSS Interview Q&A with “the unicorn” Dany Farha, managing partner of BECO Capital p40

Travel Drive South A roadtrip to Oman is a trip back in time to the unspoiled nature of traditional Arabia p50

START HERE TO START UP In this month’s issue we’re talking challenges, strategies, and triumphs with the visionary business men and women who have successfully pioneered the UAE start-up scene

Cover design Geri Batara Sonny

Work

14 18

By the Numbers The MENA Start-up Scene How to Work for a Start-up Looking for More than Money Interview with Sara Alemzadeh, the founder of Designer-24, about her hunt for the perfect investor.

you shouldn't launch the perfect start-up 22 Why WA chat with Hector Frigola, co-founder of Exclusive Tables, about how he would have done things differently.

Fight for Funds There is capital available to start-ups through a variety of avenues, from angel investors to veture capitalists, but there is no easy money. Nor should there be.

really OK to fail? 28 IsInittheory yes, but in the UAE, there could be more at stake than your pride.

32 36 38 44

Top Trends in Tech Start-up BREXIT AND TECH-XITT What is BREXIT going to mean for the tech community in London? Some are looking for a mass Tech-xidous to Dubai. THE BOSS The Tales of The Unicorn Q&A with Dany Farha, Chief Executive and Managing Partner of BECO Capital Work Events planner

PLAY

46 Travel Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi 50 Travel A GCC Classic: The Oman Road Trip 56 Top Five Properties For Sale 58 Top Five Properties For Rent 60 Fashion for Her and Him Events planner 64 Play The concert season is upon us in the UAE — and this

year’s schedule is busier than most: The planned openingof the Dubai Operaat the end of August brings with it an even more diverse range of musical events to the Emirates. Here is Benchmark’s rundown of the top cultural events over the next few weeks.

Working Out without Breaking a Sweat 66 Health Don’t let the long summer get in the way of your fitness routine. There are plenty of ways to get or stay fit, without suffering in the sun.

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C hief E xecutive E ditor Scott Armstrong C hief C reative O fficer Adonis Durado L ead D esigner Geri Batara Sonny I nfographic E ditor Antonio Farach I nfographic D esigners Winie Ariany, Isidore Vic Carloman, Erik Tuban

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Editor's Note

rom Dubai's inception in the 1800s, when the Creek was settled and became a hub for trade, both locals and foreigners have ventured to create their own businesses. Theses days pearl traders and spice vendors have given way to investment firms and a burgeoning group of tech start-ups. With only a 2% share in the billions of dollars of annual global investment in this industry, the Middle East has lagged behind in the game of high-stakes and long-term rewards that these ventures represent. But that's beginning to change. For me, this issue was especially inspiring, as we examined the monetization of dreams and the value of ambition; talking challenges, strategies, and triumphs with the visionary business men and women

who have successfully pioneered the UAE's start-up landscape. In trending, we rounded up the surprising rise of local-centric business plans that are foregoing the copy-paste versions of Western online businesses to forge new, developing market specific products, many of which ignore online entirely, jumping straight to mobile business options. We also heard from the investors who fund these projects, finding out what makes for a solid investment, and what differentiates the "missionaries" from the "mercenaries" in the lending game. And finally, we examined what Brexit might mean for the future of this late-blooming industry in the Arabian Gulf. As we enter the last month of summer, many of us are planning a final family va-

cation before the kids go back to school. In Play, we travel south on that GCC right of passage: the Oman road trip. And, for those saving-up leave days rather than spending them, we head over to the Ritz-Carlton in Abu Dhabi for a stay-cation. While sipping something cool under a palm tree, flip through our summer fashion picks, pencil in some cultural and networking events from Planner, and pick up tips for staying fit and cool this summer. Then, put down the magazine, close your eyes, and start dreamingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;of your next venture, of the problem you could solve with an app, of the fortunes you could make by funding someone else's big idea. As the entrepreneurs in these pages proved, these kind of daydreams are the stuff modern businesses are made of. Scott Armstrong Chief Executive Editor

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By The Numbers Infographics

by The NUMBERS

THE MENA START-UP SCENE What makes entrepreneurs in the Middle East and North Africa tick? Benchmark crunched the numbers on what drives people (or, indeed, deters them) from launching their own start-up â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as well as the chances of young regional businesses hitting the bigtime, and getting funded.

1 8

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Infographics By The Numbers

MIDDLE MIDDLEEAST EASTATTITUDES ATTITUDES TO TOSELF-EMPLOYMENT SELF-EMPLOYMENT 64% 64%

54% 54%

Of respondents Of respondents to a to Bayt.com a Bayt.com Middle Middle EastEast SaidSaid personal personal fulfilment fulfilment is the is top the top survey survey saidsaid theythey would would prefer prefer to have to have reason reason for preferring for preferring self-employment self-employment theirtheir ownown business business

38% 38% Of respondents Of respondents would would make make theirtheir top top advice advice to aspiring to aspiring entrepreneurs entrepreneurs ‘don’t ‘don’t be afraid be afraid of failure’ of failure’

97% 97%

48% 48%

Do not Do have not have any any preference preference when when it comes it comesKnow Know at least at least one one successful successful entrepreneur entrepreneur to the to best the best timetime to set to up setaup business a business in their in their country country of residence of residence

62% 62% SaidSaid theythey are thinking are thinking of starting of starting theirtheir ownown business business

20% 20%

11%11%

8 in 8 in 1010

TriedTried to start to start a business a business but could but could not, not, or failed or failed to dotosodo so

Never Never thought thought of starting of starting theirtheir ownown business business

Respondents Respondents believe believe thatthat entrepreneurs entrepreneurs helphelp in creating in creating newnew jobsjobs

CHALLENGES CHALLENGES FACED FACED ININ STARTING STARTING AA BUSINESS BUSINESS (among (among those those who who could could not, not, oror failed failed toto dodo so)so) (in %) (in %) Not Not ableable to self-finance to self-finance the start-up the start-up of the of business the business Unable Unable to obtain to obtain financial financial support support Economic Economic uncertainty uncertainty FearFear of failure of failure Strict Strict government government regulations regulations Strong Strong competition competition in the in line the line of business of business Corruption Corruption in business in business (or society (or society in general) in general) LackLack of skilled of skilled workforce workforce LackLack of resources of resources Difficult Difficult to obtain to obtain information information on how on how to start to start a business a business Unable Unable to establish to establish the right the right contacts contacts Do not Do have not have the requisite the requisite skillsskills and and experience experience Unable Unable to meet to meet licensing licensing and and regulatory regulatory requirements requirements Bureaucracy Bureaucracy CostCost of acquiring of acquiring technology technology waswas prohibitive prohibitive Difficult Difficult to reconcile to reconcile withwith family family situation situation

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53 51 28 20 16 15 14 14 14 13 13 11 11 11 10 7

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By The Numbers Infographics

HOW EASY OR DIFFICULT IS IT TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS? Extremely easy

Somewhat easy

Neither easy nor difficult

Somewhat difficult

Extremely difficult

7 23

34 38 36

44 45 32 29

29 30

8 3

Algeria Bahrain

7 3

8 2

Egypt

Jordan

29 8

12 7 5

5 1

2 2

4 2

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Syria

Tunisia

UAE

Total

Kuwait Lebanon Morocco Oman

TOP 10 INDUSTRIES FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP (according to perceptions) 1

Information Technology

Hospitality and Leisure

Education

Advertising, Marketing and PR

Consulting Services

Personnel Management and Human Resources

Architecture and Engineering

Design

Hotel Accommodation

Trading and Contracting

FINANCING TRENDS IN MENA STARTUPS Value of startup deals (in $ million) 2013 2014 2015 10

(No. of deals) 222 372 165

b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t | Au g u s t 2 0 1 6

172 182 126

$750m+

Invested in tech start-ups in MENA between 2013-2015

480

Startups raised funding in MENA in 2013-2015

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Infographics By The Numbers

HOW THIS COMPARES GLOBALLY $128.5bn

250%

Global investment in tech startups in 2015

Global growth in tech investments over the past 5 years

7872

2.2%

Global deals by VC-backed companies in 2015

MENAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share of global deal flow

VC INVESTMENT AS PERCENTAGE OF GDP VC investments (2014)

Ratio to GDP

(in $bn)

(in %)

52.1

0.30

China

15.5

0.15

Europe

10.6

0.06

India

5.2

0.25

3.7

0.12

Israel

1.9

0.62

Canada

1.4

0.08

Lebanon

0.1

0.20

UAE

0.1

0.03

Saudi Arabia

0.1

0.02

TOP 5 MENA COUNTRIES BY NUMBER OF FUNDING INSTITUTIONS 27%

16%

13%

11%

UAE

Saudi Arabia

Lebanon

Egypt

Jordan

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By The Numbers Infographics

N fu (2

T (2 (in

Beco Capital

iMENA

Wc Im Wamda Capital

Ideavelopers

Le A1 A15

Precint Partners

Silicon Badia Leap Ventures

Jabbar Internet B&Y Venture Group Partners

Impulse International

Ec Endure Capital

Middle East Venture Partners

Ibtikar Fund

Sw Sd Vv

Dubai Silicon Oasis

Valour Ventures

Berytech Fund

Sadara Ventures

Sawari Ventures

Symbol Firm Name

Beco Capital

500 Startups

5s Lumia

Angel Groups Tech Acquirers

Flat6Labs

HBG Holdings

Wo Ca

Global AddVenture Delta Partners Honeybee Tech Hummingbird Ventures Group Ventures Founders Fund

Ce Am

in5

Oasis 500

Women’s Angel Investment Network WOMENA

Envestors Abdul Latif Jameel

Cairo Angels

AJSM Investments

Oasis 500 Angel Network

Angel’s Den Middle East Venture Souq

Bader Business Angels Tenmou

Vostok Emerging Finance

Growth/Late Stage Incubators/Accelerators Micro VCs Angels

Cg Mq

MediaQuest

Choueiri Group

TwoFour54

Mena VC Funds Corp VC Firms International VC Firms Family Offices

Saudi Venture Riyadh Valley Company Capital

Ic Mobily Ventures

Bv Mb Vo

Taqnia

Vodafone Ventures

Riyadh Al Zamil Group

Hs Md So

Vn MBC Ventures

Hsoub

Hikma Ventures BluVine Ventures

Tiger Global Piton Capital Management

Tahrir Squared

KAUST Innovation Fund

Standard Chartered Al Tayyar

General Atlantic

Endeavor Catalyst Intel Capital

Abraaj Capital

In NEA

Vostok New Ventures

Ab RA’ED Ventures

Gf IFC

Crescent Enterprises

Rocket Internet

Peak Games

Hu STC Ventures

Souq.com

Al Abbar Enterprises

Thomson Reuters

Rz Wa Sv Wa’ ed (Aramco)

Middle East Digital Group

Naspers

Taw9eel

Arif Naqvi

Khaled Ismail

Arzan Venture Capital

Badr Jafar

Khaled bin Alwaleed

Alt City

Qais Al-Khonji Mohammed Jafar

FastForward

AUC School of Business

Elie Khouri

Ac Startappz

Gaza Sky Geeks

UK Lebanon Tech Hub

Rashed Al Rashed

Juice Labs

Dhahran Techno Valley

Dash Ventures

Ma Dh Tu

Mt Sm Aa

Dubai Angels

Fadi Ghandour

Al Nahdi

Bj MENA Apps

Inspire U

Rami Al-Karmi

Turn8

Silatech

Oqal

Oq Mi

Middle East Investment Network

Badir

Azmi Abuasad

Umniah Plug and Play

Smartstart Fund

Makkah Leaders Organization Techno Valley

Check out BECO Capital’s 2016 edition of its ‘Periodic Table of Technology Entrepreneurship in MENA’, which gives an overview of the key players in technology investing in the region.

2016 PERIODIC TABLE OF TECH IN MENA

Pa M SAS Holdings

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N B

Infographics By The Numbers

NUMBER OF INVESTMENTS BY GEOGRAPHY (2013-2015) UAE Jordan Lebanon Egypt KSA Tunisia Palestine Morocco Algeria Kuwait Bahrain Syria Oman Qatar

NUMBER OF CORPORATE INVESTORS BY YEAR (MENA)

137 74 65 63 59 26 24 13 6 5 4 2 1 1

Alive

Dead

19%

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Gender distribution among MENA start-up founders

Number of operating vs closed funded startups in MENA (2013-2015) 81%

2004

Female

Male

13%

87%

THE LARGEST PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED INVESTMENTS (2013-2015) (in $ million)

150 75

60 Jumia’s (2013)

Jumia’s (2014)

Souq.com (2014)

Cequens’ (2014)

Careem’s (2015)

SOURCES:

BECO Capital | International Monetary Fund | State of Digital Investments in MENA (ArabNet / Dubai Internet City) | The Bayt.com Entrepreneurship in the Middle East Survey 2015 | World Economic Forum

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Work Recruitment

How to work for a start-up Ask the average person what they think it would be like working for a tech start up and many would probably conjure upan image of a young guys — sadly it’s usually men — hunched over laptops or mobile phones for hours on end as they strive to become the new Mark Zuckerbergs. Page 16>

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Recruitment Work

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Work Recruitment

AstroLab founding partners Muhammed Mekki and Louis Lebbos

ut to succeed, the region’s entrepreneurs should be working smarter, not longer hours, even if Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey claims to put in 18-hour days. “I don’t think you should work crazy hours — people who do are doing it for the wrong reasons,” says Louis Lebbos, a founding partner at Dubai co-working space AstroLabs, which is home to about 150 tech start-ups. “You’re probably able to achieve a lot by focusing on the priorities and not wasting a lot of time. You can then afford to have a decent lifestyle. Focus is more important than the number of work hours — a lot of these start-ups could be run doing just 2-3 hours a day.” For most start-ups, a lot of the preparatory work will have been completed before its founders go full-time so those few hours a day fulfilling tasks for their fledgling firm are often on top of a full shift in another job. “It’s a huge challenge,” said Mahmood Jessa, 38, a co-founder of Dubai-based NgageU, which has built a proprietary mobile platform that allows restaurants to better manage their operations. “It puts a strain in the sense you’re building something for tomorrow but you’ve got to work really damn hard today to do it,” said the father-of-two, who quit his job as head of strategy at a design consultancy a year after NgageU launched. “Dubai offers a lot of networking opportunities and you feel you need to meet with everyone to cast your net wider and wider.” The UAE — and the Middle East in

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general — is taking strides to reduce the obstacles to launching a business, with Dubai in particular setting objectives to become a smart city. Yet the bureaucracy can still be archaic, as Ghazwan Hamdan, co-founder of Maek Digital Design Agency discovered when he launched operations in the emirate in 2010. “In some European countries everything is online, but the UAE [is] a young market, they’re learning, it’s still paperbased,” said Hamdan, 41, whose firm already had offices in London and Bangkok but started from scratch in Dubai.

“We’re still using a rubber stamp to sign off certain documents, but it’s changing and improving each day. Either be patient and go along with the processes or get frustrated. I prefer to go with it — if you want my passport copy another time I’ll give it to you.” Today, Maek employs six full-time staff worldwide and its Middle East clients have included Nokia, Microsoft, BBC, Dubai Municipality and MercedesBenz. It also has a ‘ventures’ division that takes equity stakes in select start-ups, in return providing these firms with digital Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

Recruitment Work

Focus is more important than the number of work hours — a lot of these start-ups could be run doing just 2-3 hours a day design, marketing and branding services. “That’s a real betting game because you don’t get anything back for a long time. You have to believe in that person, make sure they deliver and be patient with returns,” said British-Iraqi Hamdan. Maek’s most successful venture of this sort is Snap Card, a mobile loyalty card for restaurants, cafes and retailers. The app stores a user’s loyalty cards so no cards are needed. It has now received investment, has been running for four years and is available in Europe, the Middle East and Turkey. b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t | Au g u s t 2 0 1 6

Successful entrepreneurs have come from myriad professional and educational backgrounds, so there’s no list of ideal personality traits a founder should possess, but there is one prevalent attribute. “They have to have an obsessive, compulsive attitude toward solving that particular problem,” said Dany Farha, co-founder and chief executive of BECO Capital, a firm whose investments include Propertyfinder, ride-hailing app Careem and sports events firm Duplays. “They can’t be just wanting to make a bit of money because when they hit a big

road block they give up and those are the guys we define as mercenaries, versus the missionaries who have seen or experienced a problem and it frustrates the daylights out of them and can’t understand why the world works that way.” That was true for KeremKuyucu, 27, when his newly married business partner Ali Cagatay Ozcan forlornly sought a reliable cleaner in Dubai before his bride moved over from Turkey. “He was staying at mine so his place wouldn’t get dirty before she came and he was trying to find a maid continuously,” said Kuyucu. “There was a quality problem because we tried 6-7 different companies and there was a systems problem because cleaning companies were incapable of managing their operations efficiently.” That observation led the Turkish pair to launch Just Mop in February 2015, an app-based cleaning service that now operates in Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah and will soon expand into other Middle East cities. “There have been times when I haven’t said hello to my parents for a couple of months,”said Kuyucu, who previously helped start online classified car sales portal carmudi.com. “It’s not about how much you work, but how efficiently you work. You have to find whatever makes you more efficient in your daily operations, so if spending time with your family and friends gives you more motivation to push harder definitely do it. “You have to be fully focused on one mission. You cannot do a couple of things under the same umbrella because it’s very tough in a start-up.” Of the 121 UAE start-ups surveyed in a September report by entrepreneurial platform Wamda, 40 percent had one founder, 34 percent two founders, 19 percent had three founders and the remainder had four or more. Those firms having a single founder could face difficulties, according to NgageU’s Jessa, who takes care of his firm’s strategy and operations while his business partner Mohamed Ali is responsible for sales. “There are very few people who would know everything they need to for a particular business,” said MBA graduate Jessa. “The key thing when you’re starting up is to have a co-founder — it should be the ying-yang style, somebody who is not exactly like you but someone who complements you.” Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

Work Top 5 Start-ups to Watch in 2016

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Top 5 Start-ups to Watch in 2016 Work

TOP START UPS TO WATCH IN 2016

STORY BY BEN FLANAGA n

Finding funding is key to the growth of many start-up businesses — but it’s not just about the money. And so when Sara Alemzadeh moved to Dubai from her native New York to launch a tech venture, she was looking for clout as well as cash from potential investors.

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Work Top 5 Start-ups to Watch in 2016

he found both and in 2014, she and cofounder Ranya KhalilAghamardi, launched Designer-24, an online business that rents out luxury dresses to women in Dubai. They recently explanded opertations to Lebanon, where Designer-24 also has its first physical retail store. The idea arose after a wedding the two entrepreneurs attended in L ebanon. Having received a last-minute invite, Ms Alemzadeh ended up borrowing an outfit for the occasion — which got the two talking about the potential of a luxury dress-rental business. Ms Alemzadeh, an American citizen with Iranian roots, says Designer-24 is now embarking on a regional expansion. That is thanks, in part, to investment from two luminaries of the Mideast tech scene. Involved early on, Jabbar Internet Group provided two rounds of funding to Designer-24 so far. Jabbar is led by Samih Toukan and Hussam Khoury, who had a role in forming retailer Souq. com, later named the region’s first $1bnvalued ‘unicorn, and who co-founded Maktoob.com, which Yahoo acquired for $164m in 2009. Such experience was exactly what Ms Alemzadeh and her partner were looking for when the sought to fund their own business, which now employs about 10 people. “We didn’t want money — we wanted smart money,” she said of the fundraising drive, speaking to Benchmark from New York. Here Ms Alemzadeh — who moved to Dubai in 2014 after a decade working as a Morgan Stanley oil trader — explains her entrepreneurial journey.

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Q&A with Sara Alemzadeh, co-founder and chief executive of Designer-24 Why did you choose Dubai as a place to launch your start-up? For a few reasons. One being the fact that Dubai is the hub between East and the West. In terms of the population of the UAE, it’s 9 million, but with intra-region tourism, that swells. Also a lot of the tech companies start in the UAE, just because they have made it so friendly in terms of the free zones, and they’ve really at-

tracted a lot of investment.It is a hub for the Middle East. It seemed like a natural place to have our base. What kind of uptake are you getting? The growth rate has been pretty amazing. So we’re now looking at opening in new markets…Saudi, Kuwait and Jordan are the three markets to watch out for in the next three to six months. What were the toughest challenges you faced launching Designer-24? Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

Top 5 Start-ups to Watch in 2016 Work

we owned all of the dresses. [But] now we have a really cool feature where women can rent out their own dresses. A lot of women in the Middle East just have a lot of dresses that they’ve worn only once or twice. How did you fund the business? To begin with Ranya and I funded the business to get it off the ground. And then we did a seed round, where we brought in some really exciting investors. The guys who did the bulk of it were Samih Toukan and Hussam Khoury from Jabbar I nternet Group. When we were launching the company we created a shortlist of people we would be excited to get on board from a strategic perspective. So we did research on the region and these guys were pioneers. We met with Samih on our first trip to Dubai, when we were about to launch our beta site, after we had purchased the first set of dresses. And we showed it to him. It’s like going on a date: you either feel the fit, or you don’t from the beginning. And it just fit. He really loved the concept, we really got along with him well. And we closed that round very soon after meeting him. We just did another [funding] round where we brought in MEVP — Middle East Venture Partners — as well as Choueiri [the Dubaibased media representative company]. A lot of people say it’s hard for Middle East start-ups to get funding. But I guess if the formula is right it makes all the difference…? The Middle East is obviously a g rowing market, it’s a younger market from a technology perspective, than the West. So you don’t see the huge multiples... That being said, there are active investors, the VC community is growing, and we’ve been really lucky to work with some really great people who have supported us.

Launching our website took longer than we expected. And logistics, obviously, in the region are a challenge. Not only are we running a two-way logistics company, but the timing of delivery is integral. If you’re ordering a designer dress for a wedding you have on Friday, and you don’t receive it by Thursday night… that doesn’t work. How many dresses are available via Designer-24? Between Lebanon and the UAE we have over 1,500 dresses. When we launched b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t | Au g u s t 2 0 1 6

Figures from ArabNet show that 13 percent of MENA start-upfounders are women. What do you make of that? If you were to look at the global number of, for example, CEOs that are female — I would think it wouldn’t be that far from that. So those numbers don’t sound like they are unreasonable vis-à-vis the rest of the world. I think that it is obviously growing. Maybe five years ago it was more like 5 percent. People have asked me that question, ‘as a female founder, have you found it to be more difficult, or less difficult?’ And I have to say, I found the region to be really open and supportive — I haven’t noticed a gender issue in any way.

ELEVATOR PITCH

Top 5 young start-ups in the UAE The Dubai-based Magnitt.com — a kind of start-up for start-ups — lists entrepreneurs’ elevator pitches and funding requirements, and helps them connect with investors, mentors and cofounders. Here are the p itches of the top five young start-ups listed on the site, ranked by the number of followers. 1. The Coding Circle “The Coding Circle will be a premier institution based in Dubai teaching kids aged 8 to 16 relevant real-world programming skills in a fun and engaging format. Exposing students to coding from an early age helps to demystify an area that can be intimidating.” www.magnitt.com/coding-circle 2. Designer-24 “We are an online designer dress rental company in the Middle East launched to meet the region’s high demand for dresses. The essence of our business model is to change the way women think about buying clothing; by allowing women to rent hundreds of designer dresses for the price of buying ten.” www.magnitt.com/designer-24com 3. Exclusive Tables “Exclusive Tables is a mobile solution that enables users to discover, book and pay for reservations at the world's best premium dining and nightlife venues. We connect users with curated destinations for a frictionless and rewarding experience.” www.magnitt.com/exclusive-tables 4. Higher Education UAE “Higher Education UAE is an online portal which dedicatedly promotes UAE as the emerging destination for higher education. We work closely with universities, colleges, service providers and training institutes to help them recruit students domestically and internationally.” www.magnitt.com/higher-education-uae 5. Finerd “Finerd is the future of investing. Harnessing the power of the latest technology, rigorous academic research and an honest management, we provide intelligent investment solutions for everyone.” www.magnitt.com/finerd Visit Magnitt.com to review the start-ups and connect directly with the founders

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Work Top 5 Start-ups to Watch in 2016

Want to Launch a Perfect Start-up? Don't. The best way, rather counterintuitively, could be to launch an imperfect product — and do it quickly.

hat’s the message of Dubai-based entrepreneur Hector Frigola, who is the co-founder of a smartphone app and website called Exclusive Tables. The start-up, which launched last year out of the AstroLabs co-working space, curates listings of top luxury restaurants and nightclubs. Users can book tables online, secured by their credit card details, with Exclusive Tables taking a commission from the venue. It is working on a loyalty scheme under which users can earn

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points to bag, for example, free Uber rides or table upgrades. Exclusive Tables currently has about 60 restaurant and club partners in Dubai and Barcelona, and plans to expand geographically late next year, with eventual global ambitions. So far so good. But one thing the 30-yearold Mr Frigola learned on his journey was the importance of the ‘minimum viable product’ — namely one that has just enough features to go to market and attract early-adopters and feedback from clients, but is far from the final offering. Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

Top 5 Start-ups to Watch in 2016 Work

Q&A with Hector Frigola, co-founder of Exclusive Tables Tell us about what Exclusive Tables does Exclusive Tables wants to connect the world’s finest brand dining and nightlife venues with users to easily discover, book, pay and get rewarded. We cover the needs from both sides. High-end venues get a more powerful technology that helps them better manage their venues. Many of these venues still use pen and paper. So we see a gap where technology has proven to be very effective in other industries. How is a lack of technology in this space a problem for diners and club-goers? Booking a table at a venue can be a headache — you call, they don’t answer, they’re engaged, they pass you to the reservations person, and then there is no availability. Then you need to start the discoverability again with your friends, find out again nally where you are going to go, and then fi you can book. You’re going to spend $1,000 and the process takes you one hour. I would say this is the main issue on how the idea and the concept started, borne out of this frustration of making a table reservation: Knowing where to go, and then the time that it takes to actually make the booking. And if Mr Frigola could turn back the clock, he would have put out a basic version of Exclusive Tables sooner, before launching the more perfected product. “Don’t try to do a super-fancy app,” he advised.“You should go to market with a bad product, and then get feedback as quick as you can. Test with the client and see what’s working and what isn’t, and then incorporate these into the more powerful product that you will build later.” Here Mr Frigola, who is from Spain, describes the opportunities and challenges of launching a start-up in Dubai. b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t | Au g u s t 2 0 1 6

When did you launch the site, and what has the uptake been since then? We launched last year with a ‘minimum viable product’. And we’ve evolved it, and this year we launched the second version with the new look and feel, incorporating all the feedback from the users, building the website, the Android and iOS apps. What kind of response have you had? Are you getting many bookings? We were getting a very good response to it in Dubai … And now for Ramadan the de-

mand of course has gone down very significantly, but the good thing is it’s picking up in Barcelona. So in general what we see is lots of traction, and big growth month-on-month, more than 20 percent on bookings. What’s it like being an entrepreneur in Dubai? What are the pros and cons of setting up a business here? A big pro for us and the reason why we started in Dubai is that we were there, we already had connections there. And Dubai is a fantastic place for tourism and luxury lifestyle. And that, for our company, was great branding. The negative side is that for entrepreneurship and tech start-ups in particular in Dubai, the ecosystem is very small. So setting up the company is not easy. We did it in AstroLabs, which is a tech hub, which made things much easier. So we were lucky to be selected. Secondly, there is a small pool of talent wanting to go into entrepreneurship. And that’s a big issue for a start-up that wants to grow, and wants to grow fast. So we found that finding talent was extremely expensive, with potential recruits not valuing the fact of being offered equity, which is the norm if you go to London or if you go to Silicon Valley. The other one is fundraising — it’s difficult to fundraise in Dubai. There are very few investors, so the market is very illiquid. It has improved massively and it’s going towards the right direction. But still there is a lot of work to do if Dubai wants to really become an international hub for entrepreneurship. What would be your words of advice to yourself two years ago? I would say, ‘go with a minimum viable product much earlier’. And then start testing. We needed this ‘minimum viable product’ to speak with venues. We needed venues to get guests. We should have started this process much earlier. Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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fight for your funding

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Apple, Google and Amazon are just some of the companies that famously began operations from a garage, their founders starting with little more than their wits and what proved to be an epoch-changing business plan.

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he Arabian Gulf’s visa rules — and sometimes high living costs — make it unlikely that any of the region’s startups will follow a similar genesis. And the tech sector, while growing, is still in its infancy. As such there are still big funding gaps many would-be entrepreneurs find tough to plug. A survey by entrepreneurial platform Wamda, which interviewed 494 entrepreneurs based in Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon, showed that 43 percent of respondents received backing from family and friends. About a fifth of entrepreneurs in Lebanon and the UAE had obtained commercial bank funding, but these countries had the lowest proportion of venture capital and angel investor-backed companies at 11 and 23 percent respectively, Wamda wrote in a September report that noted the number of funding sources had i ncreased substantially. “The bulk of this growth is comprised of early-stage investment institutions including venture capital funds and angel investment networks, while other new institutions offer loan and grant programs,” the report states. “Incubators and accelerators have also grown in number, providing entrepreneurs and their companies with mentorship, as well as technical and financial support.” Gaps between angel investment and venture capital are slowly shrinking following the launch of public and private funding initiatives, Wamda’s reports. Industry protagonists disagree on whether the MENA start-up sector is sufficiently funded. Perhaps unsurpris ingly, company founders complain of unrealistic expectations among many potential seed or angel investors — those investing relatively small amounts during a firm’s infancy — while venture capitalists, who typically invest $300,000 to $3 million in more established companies, argue it is meant to be tough. Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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“Often, investors don’t understand the journey and the pain of a start-up,” said Mahmood Jessa, co-founder of NgageU, a Dubai-based start-up that launched in January 2015 that specialises in providing mobile solutions to restaurants. He is now evaluating potential investors. “Many we spoke to were, okay, when do I get my initial investment back? That’s not investment, that’s a loan. Many angel investors see the buzz around start-ups and think I could make a quick buck out of this, but I don’t want to lose my money, they don’t understand how to help.” From a venture capital perspective, the 26

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most important factor in determining whether a fund will invest is the quality of the management running a start-up. “An A team with a B-grade business plan will always out-perform a B team with an A-grade business plan, it’s all about the people,” said Dany Farha, who co-founded, and subsequently exited, online jobs portal Bayt.com before becoming co-founder and chief executive of BECO Capital. “We look for defensibility in the way of IP, lock-in, some sort of sustainable competitive advantage that over the long term can build a defensible business and then if whatever is being done, particularly in the technology space, is offering only an incre-

mental improvement we wouldn’t touch it. It would have to be transformational.” Seed investmentors are typically into companies that have demonstrated little traction, but show some evidence that this traction will increase. “If it’s e-commerce it could be looking at if they can hit the targets for customer acquisition costs and LTV (life-time value) per customer,” said Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Wamda Capital. “The understanding is that at the seed level a business will change a number of times, so whether the management team will accept this and are the right team to be able to adapt is another important consideration.” Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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There are 115 private players operating in the Middle East and North Africa’s venture capital sector, up from 92 a year earlier, according to a 2016 study by BECO Capital. Of these, 24 are MENA venture capital funds, 14 are venture capital arms of bigger corporate entities, 11 are venture capital funds from outside the region and three are family offices. There are also 20 incubators – or accelerators – providing seed capital, 12 angels - whom BECO define as high net worth individuals investing their personal money – plus a further 12 angel groups in which wealthy people pool some of their money to invest in start-ups together. Other players include 10 tech acquirers, which are tech sector corporations that buy start-ups, and five late-stage investment firms. “In the last 3-4 years, there’s been a good uptick in early stage venture capital,” said Louis Lebbos, co-founder of AstroLabs, a Dubai-based co-working space and training academy that is home to about 150 start-ups. He was also a co-founder of online fashion retailer Namshi. “Any start-up at that stage has many options. Start-ups before that stage, generally are looking for seed or angel investors and generally they struggle more.” Astrolabs has helped ease the financial strain of setting up a business in the UAE, which Lebbos estimates can be more than $10,000. Members pay a monthly fee, but can get a business licence free of charge through Astrolabs and by working from its facilities don’t have to rent an office, buy office supplies or pay utility bills. “In most cities there are multiple hubs where the tech ecosystem gathers, connects and works together. We didn’t feel that existed in Dubai,” said Lebbos. BECO’s Farha cited a change to United States’ law that allowed pension and endowment funds to invest a small portion of their assets in venture capital as a turning point in the development of the country’s tech sector. Similar reforms would also aid venture capital in the Middle East, but for now the sector is too small to be able to absorb a huge influx of pension money. “It’s never easy to raise money and nor should it be,” said Farha.“If it is you’ll have bubbles occurring where businesses are able to obtain money they receive because they’re not shouldn’t transformational or scalable.” b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t | Au g u s t 2 0 1 6

funding Glossary Angel/seed investors — invest in start-ups, usually near their inception and are often family or friends of the company founder. They typically take an equity stake in the company and offer more favourable terms versus other lenders, with banks usually unwilling to lend. Angel investors usually invest their own money. More formal angel investors — rather than family or friends — can take the form of a limited company and in the United States must have an annual income over $200,000 and a minimum net worth of $1 million. Angel investors’ rate of returns from a portfolio of investments is typically 20-30 percent. Venture Capital — provide start-up companies with funding to expand and as such invest more money and at a later stage than angel/seed investors. Venture capitalists usually acquire a sizeable stake in a company and will also seek to influence its operations/activities. Incubators — are similar, but more professionalized version of seed/angel investors. As well investing in start-ups, incubators can also provide advice and consultation services, office/work space, access to research resources, according to Investopedia.com. Incubators usually take a stake in a company for providing these services. Accelerators — act like a competition for start-ups to get their help and usually include mentorship and educational components. They will make an equity investment ($20,000 to $50,000 in the U.S.) in a start-up, which is given a short deadline e.g. three months to “graduate”, during which they receive intense training and mentoring.

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mong the suspected murderers and armed robbers on Interpol’s list of persons wanted by the UAE authorities are three people sought for bouncing cheques. Although we don’t know how the trio came to write those fateful drafts, the

fact that such an offence can lead to criminal proceedings has made many a potential Arabian Gulf entrepreneur pause before starting their own business. "The insolvency and bankruptcy laws have historically posed difficulties throughout the region,” says Dino Wilkinson, a technology lawyer at Norton Rose Fulbright in Abu Dhabi. He warns that the threat of a prison sentence for running into financial difficulties creates an unhelpful fear of failure that does not exist to the same extent elsewhere. “This fear in turn leads to stories of people skipping the country when they default on debts, which in turn makes banks more reluctant to lend to SMEs (smallto-medium sized enterprises) and charge 30

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higher fees and rates to do so to allow for this risk,” he adds. A joint report by Deloitte Corporate Finance Ltd and Dubai Economic Council in 2015 urged Dubai, which is positioning itself as the region’s tech and innovation hub, to improve bankruptcy regulations that currently fall short of international norms. “Removing the criminal implications of bankruptcy and bounced cheques for businesses which have failed due to commercial reasons and not for fraudulent activities, could improve Dubai’s ranking in the legal rights index,” the report states. “This change could further attract

high skilled foreign human capital and investment in start-ups, SMEs and larger businesses.” The UAE is assessing a new bankruptcy law that would allow companies to apply for protection before defaulting, Deloitte adds. A shift towards highly-skilled technology companies being the driver of Gulf economic growth — rather than the heavy industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals and construction that powered the region’s expansion this century — will spur governments to create more entrepreneurfriendly laws, says Dany Farha, co-founder and chief executive of BECO Capital. Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

The Start-up Issue Work

Investor don’t appreciate that the start-up isn’t a side business for the founders, it’s their focus and they lose focus because they have so many other costs to take care of

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Data from the Arabnet database supports that outlook: Of the 292 UAE tech start-ups registered, almost a third were classified as e-commerce firms, while mobile app companies accounted for 12 percent and software 11 percent. UAE banks agreed to halt criminal prosecutions for bounced cheques by mediumsized companies, The National reported in March. But this will only apply to companies with minimum borrowings of 50 million dirhams or turnover above 100 million dirhams, and so offers no potential respite for true start-ups. “People with a parachute are more likely to jump from an airplane,” says Louis Lebbos, a founding partner of Dubai coworking space AstroLabs. “For bankruptcy laws in the UAE, every few years there’s talk of changing them a little to allow for benign business failures to shut down and move on with not a lot of cost or penalties. “It’s not that people go to jail, but more that they become more conservative in terms of their business model, they usually go for models that can generate cash very soon rather than ones that require years of investment. “If you put a high cost on failure, then the bigger, disruptive type of innovation is unlikely to emerge.” Putting aside the legal implications of owning an ailing business, the financial repercussions may also be devastating – founders usually rely on their own savings and some help from friends or family to get started, so losing that money can feel humiliating, more so if the entrepreneurs in question gave up steady jobs elsewhere to pursue their dream. Yet all is not lost if you have a positive mindset. “What makes Silicon Valley so dynamic is the acceptance of failure as a positive thing, that you’re better equipped to succeed in future once you’ve failed. That frees you mentally to take risks, to pursue your objectives,” said Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Wamda Capital. “We still have a bit of a problem with that in the region, a fear that failure will mean you won’t be able to come back and succeed with something different. This is changing, it’s a cultural shift that we need to go through.”

One entrepreneur who has cheerily embraced this mantra is Kerem Kuyucu, co-founder of Just Mop. The 27-year-old bounced back from being made redundant by Rocket Internet in his native Turkey to work for other start-ups, including online car sales website Carmudi, before risking everything to co-create his own app-based cleaning business in February 2015. “For the first few months until we found the right investors, I ran out of money. I slept on my best friend’s couch for nine months and then once we got the investment and started paying ourselves a survival salary,” said Kuyucu. “You have to make sure you have enough savings — at least something that will keep you going for six months — because you have to be economically stable to be able to fully focus on the business. A six-month buffer is more than enough to jump into the start-up ecosystem.” Yet the legendary beginnings of the likes of Google and Facebook can also give investors unrealistic expectations as to what start-ups can achieve and how. “The costs in Dubai [are] higher than any other incubator city, whether it’s London, Silicon Valley, or Boston,” says Mahmood Jessa, co-founder of digital consultancy NgageU. “Investors don’t appreciate that the start-up isn’t a side business for the founders, it’s their focus and they lose focus because they have so many other costs to take care of. Investors see what happens in the Valley and think it’s very easy to put money down and it bounces back to them.” A survey by Wamda last year that interviewed nearly 500 start-ups in Egypt, Jordan, the UAE and Lebanon showed a minority relied on support from a larger partner company. MaekDigital Design Agency is one, launching operations in Dubai in 2010 to add to its offices in London and Bangkok. “We came here with nothing and had to go through the same process as any startup,” says co-founder Gazwan Hamdan, 41. “Our other offices were funding Dubai for the first 18 months. We thought we would hit the ground running, but building the business took longer than expected. We were earning money but it wasn’t enough to sustain the business.” Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

Work The Retail Issue

benchmark middle east | July 2016

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The Retail Issue Work

Co-working spaces have proved especially useful to MENA start-ups in countries such as the UAE, where the likes of AstroLabs in Dubai can provide office space, facilities and licences to small companies in return for a monthly fee. As well as reducing fledgling firmsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; overheads, they also literally bring entrepreneurs together, helping them solve mutual problems and foster a spirit of innovation as well as providing expert training. Beirut and Cairo are also home to several thriving coworking facilities and the concept seems likely to spread further throughout the region as more of its techsavvy young population dream big.

Benchmark gives you the lowdown on the hottest trends among the coolest entrepreneurial ventures

benchmark middle east | July 2016

Chat-based micro-businesses E-commerce is the prevalent theme among MENA start-ups, but within that a more informal type of online sales business is beginning to emerge. Eschewing building a secure app or website to take payments and provide customer service, some micro entrepreneurs are using Instagram to display often homemade products such as jewelry or craftwork. These entrepreneurs also include a Whatsapp number by which they arrange sales with customers. Payment is over PayPal, so the cost of setting up such a business is almost zero apart from procuring raw materials. The future of commerce lies J u lin y 2messaging. 016 | benchmark middle east

Work The Retail Issue Fintech The disparity in wealth across the MENA region must be among the most acute globally and a large proportion of the population remain unbanked. For example, almost a third of Saudi Arabia residents do not have bank account, nor do 75 percent of Jordanians or 89 percent of Iraqis, according to World Bank figures. Yet phone penetration in these countries is 177, 179 and 94 percent respectively, indicating there is a huge opportunity for mobile apps to provide financial services to the unbanked. Phone-based money transfer and payments is already huge in countries likes Kenya, but is yet to take off in the Gulf in a big way. Start-ups may fill this void.

“Uberisation” of other industries, namely real estate. Finding a property to rent in the UAE, as an example, can be a bore as thousands of residents will testify. From being shown the same apartment multiple times by different agents, each posting a different description and price, to not being shown around at all – the agent doing nothing more than instructing you of its location yet still demanding a 5 percent fee - the real estate sector is ripe for some tech-based disruption that puts house hunters and owners in direct contact and eliminates agents altogether. 34

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3D Printing In May, Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum opened the world’s first 3D-printed office, a 250-square building that purports to have reduced labour costs by half and took less than three weeks to build. Dubai aims to become a global hub for 3D printing — more accurately called additive manufacturing — by specialising in construction, consumer goods and medical products. That matters to entrepreneurs because the local authorities are allocating resources and assistance to start-ups whose ambitions align with theirs, so we should expect to see more start-ups focusing on 3D printing in the coming years.

E-commerce consolidation There are more than 260 e-commerce companies listed in ArabNet’s database of MENA tech start-ups, dwarfing any other sector. Not all can succeed, in fact perhaps most will fail, so expect to see those start-ups that offer little differentiation from their more established peers to die a quiet death, especially as relatively low banking penetration and difficulties around the physical delivery of goods bought online continue to trouble the sector. Similarly, some dominant classified advertising portals find themselves under threat from do-it-yourself and hyper-local marketplaces set up on Facebook. These marketplaces remove the anonymity between buyer and seller, creating more confidence and trust on both sides.

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The Retail Issue Work Internet of Things (IoT). Commonly misunderstood, IoT refers to devices that have unique Internet identifiers and can communicate without human participation. Imagine an app from which all your home appliances can be controlled, on- or offline. That is just one particular consumerfocused example of thousands of potential uses of IoT technology. A report by McKinsey & Co last year estimated that IoT’s economic impact would range from $3.9 trillion to $11.1 trillion a year by 2025. The higher figure would equate to about a tenth of the world economy, the consultants predict, and many MENA start-ups want a piece of that pie.

Venture Capital firms will have to fight harder to be on the best deals. As capital becomes commoditized and new funding platforms develop, venture capital firms will have to do more to justify their management fees to their own investors and also ensure they provide sufficient mentoring and support to the companies in which they invest. Just as tech start-ups seek to disrupt existing industries, so too do these pressures apply to the venture capital sector.

Original ideas So far the most successful regional start-ups have essentially re-worked ideas that have flourished elsewhere, from ride-hailing service Careem to online marketplace Souq.com or jobs portal Bayt.com. But now increasingly the focus is on developing unique ideas originating from the Middle East and North Africa that could go global. Should such a company come to the fore, it will likely draw in more venture capital funds from other regions and also encourage our banks and institutions to tolerate greater risk in lending to start-ups.“Over the last few years we’ve seen an uptick in innovation,” says Dany Farha, co-founder and chief executive of BECO Capital. “Entrepreneurs aren’t just looking at what’s working elsewhere, but looking at local problems and sometimes these don’t apply to developed markets — b e n c h m awe r k mhave i d d l e different e a s t | J u l problems.” y 2016

The U.S. is no longer the main point of reference. This focus on solving regional problems means MENA entrepreneurs are less likely to look to the U.S. for inspiration, with India, South East Asia and Latin America having more in common in terms of demographics and market dynamics, according to BECO’s Farha. “We’re leapfrogging computers and going straight to mobile, with people building products and solutions that are mobile-only if not mobile first,” he adds. “It’s started over the past 12-18 months.”

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Will b re x i t br i n g more startups

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to dubai?

Could London’s ‘Silicon Roundabout’ be about to shortcircuit in the wake of the Brexit vote? Page 38 >

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July 2016 | benchmark middle east

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Story by Ben Flanagan

benchmark middle east | July 2016

he landmark, known formally as Old Street Roundabout, is considered the beating heart of the UK capital’s thriving start-up scene, with hundreds of young businesses located in the vicinity. But following Britain’s historic June 23 vote to leave the European Union, some believe that the inbound traffic of technology businesses could be reversed, driving them to other locations such as Berlin, Dublin — or even Dubai. Brexit, they say, could spell a ‘techxit’. Yet others have brushed aside such fears, pointing to the strong ongoing investments in London’s high-tech sector as evidence the start-ups are here to stay. The latter, unsurprisingly, is the line held by London & Partners, the UK capital’s official promotional company. British tech firms have attracted an impressive $200m of venture capital fund-

ing across 42 deals since the referendum, London & Partners said in July, sourcing data from venture capital database PitchBook between June 24 and July 22. Leading global investment firms “have committed to continue investing in the UK’s tech sector” despite the vote to leave the European Union, with 253 venture capital firms currently present in the capital, London & Partners said in a statement. Robin Klein, a partner at the Londonbased seed fund LocalGlobe, said he expects London to keep its status as a tech hub. “I’m an entrepreneur and professional optimist and still super positive about London and the UK,” he was quoted as saying. “The UK is one of the world’s largest economies and we have been trading with the world and especially Europe for nearly 1000 years — the relationships are deeper than the last 24 years of integration show July 2016 | benchmark middle east

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and I’m confident that they will mostly remain strong.” Others such as the UK Lebanon Tech Hub — a Beirut-based start-up accelerator launched in April 2015 by Banque du Liban and the UK government, and which later opened a workspace in London’s ‘Tech City’ — said it does not expect trade relations between the UK and Europe to change overnight. “The UK Lebanon Tech Hub remains committed to helping Lebanese tech startups gain access to international markets and go global through our UK accelerator programme whilst remaining in Lebanon and creating wealth and employment there. We opened an office in the heart of London’s Tech City and we will continue to use this as a springboard to help a new generation of Lebanese tech stars access the best support, networks, universities and exhibitions across Europe and the world,” a spokesperson told Benchmark. “London will remain a global city at the heart of the global technology value chain. New opportunities will arise as the UK considers new trade relations in the world not least by recognising the growing appeal of emerging markets including the Middle East.”

Two of the biggest potential post-Brexit problems that London-based start-ups face are attracting talent and market access. But Dubai, is open for business. benchmark middle east | July 2016

Yet others are not so positive. Askar Sheibani, the chief executive of the UK-headquartered IT and telecoms support firm Comtek, said Britain’s departure from the European Union marks a “devastating blow” to UK businesses, especially those in the tech sector. “Words cannot describe how disappointed I am that the British public turned its back on the EU; choosing years of economic uncertainty over being part of a thriving economy that has helped Britain to progress phenomenally in terms of trade, competition, employment and skills,” he told Information-Age.com. “Many companies based in the EU will be looking to attract agile UK-based firms, such as those in the technology industry. With the advantages of a single market across the water and possibly a weakening UK economy at home, it will be no surprise that some firms seriously consider a shift in focus, potentially turning Techxit into a reality.” But Robert Siegel, lecturer in Management at Stanford Graduate School of Business and partner at XSeed Capital, said it was too early to say what the full impact of the Brexit will be. “It’s certainly a possibility that a London

outside the EU might lose some of its lustre as elements of the self-reinforcing halo effect of the established ecosystem are diminished,” he told TechCityNews.com. “On the one hand, founders of new startups may think twice about moving to London, or may even not bother leaving stable jobs and ‘starting up’ at all; on the other, startups already embedded in the capital may not be equipped to uproot themselves and move to the continent… But ultimately it is far too soon to say. There is, however, another area in which a discernible impact on the UK’s tech startups is already being felt, anecdotally at least: the availability of investment capital.” And whether that continues could be the clincher for whether London does indeed lose its crown as the dominant European start-up hub. Other cities such as Dublin, Berlin, Amsterdam and Stockholm are considered as being in line to the throne should that happen. But some have even pointed out that Dubai could be a good new home for London-based start-up talent should a ‘techxit’ ensue. Dany Farha, co-founder and chief executive of the Dubai-based venture firm BECO Capital, implored “Brexit talent” to come to Dubai. “If the divorce proceedings post Brexit are going to be as quick and aggressive as the rhetoric suggests, we in MENA, particularly Dubai with its modern infrastructure, business-friendly attitude and welcoming nature to expats, should seize the moment,” he wrote in a blog post. “We need to work with our governments to identify the type of technology talent that we need to attract to our region and provide special tech visas and other fast track and subsidies to attract this talent.” Two of the biggest potential post-Brexit problems that London-based start-ups face are attracting talent and market access, Mr Farha said. But Dubai, he added, is open for business. “We don’t know how [Brexit] is going to turn out. But there’s no doubt that Frankfurt is going to target the City of London, and Berlin is going to target Shoreditch or the Silicon Roundabout,” he said in an interview. “And I don’t think it’s in a bad way. But I think Dubai should definitely play a role in attracting talent to our region.” And so if London’s ‘Silicon Roundabout’ does indeed have a meltdown, it seems there are plenty of other global cities willing to seize the electrifying opportunity. July 2016 | benchmark middle east

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The Tales of the Unicorn The unicorn is no myth in the Middle East, in fact, more and more are expected to be spotted in the years to come. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the view of Dany Farha, chief executive and managing partner of the Dubai-based BECO Capital, and one of the biggest players in the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s venture capital space. by Ben Flanagan 40

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he term ‘unicorn’ refers to something very magical indeed: Private start-up companies valued at over $1 billion. Globally, they have included the likes of Uber, Airbnb, Snapchat, Pinterest and Spotify. And earlier this year it emerged that Dubai-based online retailer Souq.com had joined the unicorn club after completing a funding round of more than Dh1bn, the largest ever by a Middle Eastern e-commerce business. Souq.com’s status was cemented by Fortune magazine, which named it 163rd on its 174-strong Unicorn List — the only contender from the Arab world. And Mr Farha says he has no doubt that more are on their way. “The MENA region is no different from any other economic block in the world like the US, Europe, China and India. It’s merely a question of scale and time to achieve this scale,” he told Benchmark. Mr Farha is himself a serial entrepreneur and investor, having co-founded and exited companies including the jobs listings website Bayt.com, laundry company Butlers, and catering firm Intercat. BECO Capital invests in early stage technology ventures, and currently has a portfolio of nine companies including car app Careem, retail marketplace Jadopado. com, and online exchange SellAnyCar.com. Here Mr Farha explains the venture firm’s investment strategy and how more and more billion-dollar Middle Eastern valuations are on the horizon. b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t | Au g u s t 2 0 1 6

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MENA entrepreneurs are starting to innovate and build companies that cater to our needs and not just clones from other parts of the world

Q&A with Dany Farha, the chief executive and managing partner of BECO Capital Souq.com’s recent funding round saw it tipped as the first ‘unicorn’ in the Middle East. Do you think it has really earned this status and will further unicorns emerge in the region anytime soon? I believe Souq has earned this status from the information published by its shareholders. There is no doubt in my mind that more unicorns will emerge from this region — it’s a matter of time and scale. Tell us about BECO Capital’s approach to investment and the kind of startups it buys into We invest in technology companies at the early stages (seed to Series A) that are built by strong, passionate, MENA-based en42

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trepreneurs building scalable companies that can create at least a regional business that is transformational in nature and can build sufficient defensibility to create a sustainable competitive advantage. Is BECO planning any more investments in the near future, and which areas are of interest? We are in the process of closing a handful of investments and are always looking to invest in businesses that exhibit the above characteristics. We are looking at enterprise Saas [software as a service], content and infrastructure (security, payments logistics) companies. Financial technology or ‘fintech’ is something of a buzzword in the industry right now, is this an attractive area for BECO? Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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We are looking at fintech but the nature of the regulatory environment makes for very challenging conditions. Some tech commentators say the market for small seed capital and very large VC investments is very active in the region – but that there’s a massive gap in the middle. In your view, where are the gaps in the availability of start-up funding in the Middle East? At the Series B stage and beyond, but this is also slowly being funded and will accelerate with the advent of large companies being built and requiring growth funding. There has been a few hundred million dollars invested at and around the Series A stage so I think we’re well funded at that stage. There will be a crunch at the Series B level and beyond if regional investors don’t continue to fund the value chain. BECO Capital published its annual ‘2016 Periodic Table of Tech in MENA’ back in May. It showed that there are 115 private players operating in the VC sector in the region, up from 92 last year. What’s behind that rise? The entire ecosystem is growing across the entire value chain: Angel investors and networks, accelerators, micro VCs, VCs and PE firms focussing on growth stage tech investments. It’s a function of reaching a critical mass of more than 50m broadband users in the region, more money reaching the sector, successful role models building successful companies making entrepreneurship an attractive opportunity for entrepreneurs to create their own jobs. You are yourself a serial entrepreneur, having co-founded and exited jobs site Bayt.com, as well as other businesses including laundry company Butlers. What excites you the most about the Middle East startup space? That MENA entrepreneurs are starting to innovate and build companies that cater to our needs and not just clones from other parts of the world. This innovation will extend to building companies that have global appeal, particularly in developing markets where the demographics have very similar problems to those experienced by MENA residents. This is what drives us every day. b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t | Au g u s t 2 0 1 6

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Work Events Planner The start of the UAE conference season is looming following the traditional summer lull, with the usual array of mega events set to kick off from September onwards. Here is the lowdown on the top business-orientated shows over the next few months.

Cityscape Global

The Leisure Show 2016

WHEN September 6-8 WHERE Dubai World Trade Centre

WHEN September 17-19 WHERE Dubai World Trade Centre

Cityscape Global, Dubai’s annual real estate extravaganza, is traditionally where some of the emirate’s highest-profile projects are unveiled. Expect a raft of glitzy announcements detailing the latest megaprojects, luxury property schemes and – in an ongoing trend in the market – more ‘affordable’ developments. The 15th edition of the show is expected to span 41,000sqm of exhibition space – slightly bigger than last year – so pack your comfy shoes. On the day preceding the show (September 5), the Cityscape Global Conference is expected to gather more than 1,200 delegates and speakers.

The UAE leisure sector is set for a major boost this Autumn, with the launch of the $2.9 billion Dubai Parks and Resorts project, which will include the Motiongate, Legoland and Bollywood attractions. This and other projects in the pipeline mean that the UAE is expected to welcome an annual 18 million visitors to its theme parks by 2021, according to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The burgeoning industry is to be one of the topics on the agenda at the Leisure Show 2016, which will include a programme exploring the latest insights, trends and market intelligence.

WEBSITE www.cityscapeglobal.com PRICE Online registration

WEBSITE www.theleisureshow.com PRICE Free for trade visitors

The Hotel Show Dubai 2016

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Telecoms World Middle East

WHEN September 17-19 WHERE Dubai World Trade Centre

WHEN September 27-28 WHERE Conrad Hotel, Dubai

New attractions require more rooms for tourists – and so it’s fitting that The Hotel Show Dubai is scheduled to coincide with The Leisure Show. Over 10,000 new hotel rooms are forecast to open in Dubai this year, according to JLL figures, and so there will be a lot on the agenda. New properties opening in 2016 include the W Dubai at Al Habtoor City; Lapita Hotel Dubai at Dubai Parks and Resorts; the Hard Rock Hotel Dubai Marina; and the Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai. More than 25,000 hospitality industry professionals are forecast to attend the 17th edition of The Hotel Show Dubai and the co-located Leisure Show.

Telecoms is big business in the smartphone-crazy UAE and so there will be lots to talk about at this conference and awards show. Executives from some of the Middle East’s biggest telecoms operators are billed to speak, including representatives of the UAE-headquartered Etisalat Group and Du, Kuwait’s Zain, and the Saudi Telecom Company. The agenda includes topics such as the race to launch super-fast 5G mobile internet, the telecoms opportunities around ‘smart cities’, and wearable telecoms devices. The event also includes the Telecoms World Awards, with categories including ‘best operator’ and ‘best brand’.

WEBSITE live.ft.com PRICE From $1,600

WEBSITE www.terrapinn.com PRICE From $1,350 Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

Abu Dhabi Hardware Show 2016 WHEN October 3-5 WHERE Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre

Intersolar Middle East

WHEN September 19-21 WHERE Dubai World Trade Centre

The Abu Dhabi Hardware Show will be colocated with Climate Abu Dhabi 2016. Its focus, as the name suggests, is on the hardware and tools industry, covering industrial uses, plumbing and electricity, as well as homewares, DIY and gardening tools. The three-day show is targeting more than 6,000 visitors from across the Arabian Gulf. Both events are organised by Austria’s Euroexpoand the UAE’s Dome Exhibitions. WEBSITE www.adhs.ae PRICE Registration required

You’ve only got to step outside into the scorching heat to realise the great potential of solar power in the Arabian Gulf. This show is dedicated to the growing sector, with an expected 120 exhibitors and 4,000 visitors discussing areas such as photovoltaics, electrical energy storage and solar heating and cooling technologies. It is fitting that the event is being held in Dubai given the emirate’s strategy to generate 75 per cent of its power from clean energy by 2050.

WHEN October 3-5 WHERE Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre

WEBSITE giftsandpremium-dubai.com PRICE Check website for details

Smart Parking UAE 2016 WHEN September 28-29 WHERE The Oberoi Hotel, Dubai

Talking of the climate, this show in Abu Dhabi is all about new technologies in how we control the temperature of indoor spaces. Climate Abu Dhabi, in its inaugural edition, is dedicated to the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industry. The event will have a special focus on energy-efficient and ecofriendly building-cooling technology. It hopes to attract more than 5,000 visitors from the MENA and South Asia regions, according to exhibition organisers.

Attending a conference about car parking isn’t, admittedly, top of everyone’s agenda. But let’s face it: Inadequate parking space is an issue that drives us all crazy — so it’s just as well that someone’s on top of it. The two-day Smart Parking UAE conference will look at the latest strategies from Dubai Municipality, transportation plans for the Expo 2020, and how new technology is transforming the sector more generally. Oh and don’t worry — the venue has free valet parking.

WEBSITE www.climatexpo.ae PRICE Check website for details

WEBSITE www.smartparkinguae.com PRICE From $1,799

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WHEN September 6-8 WHERE Dubai World Trade Centre Everyone loves a freebie — and it’s apparently a win-win scenario for those handing them out. According to the Advertising Speciality Institute, more than 8 out of 10 people remembered an organisation through branded gifts they had received. And about 60 percent do business after receiving the gift. Little wonder, then, that a whole industry has grown around the corporate gifts business. This trade-orientated event will look at this along with general promotional products, seasonal decorations, stationery and handicrafts.

WEBSITE www.intersolar.ae PRICE Exhibition is free. Conference packages from $399

Climate Abu Dhabi 2016

Gifts and Premiums Dubai 2016

GITEX Shopper (Autumn) 2016 WHEN October 1-8 WHERE Dubai World Trade Centre Dubai’s twice-annual Gitex Shopper event is geared towards consumers in search of electronics bargains – and certainly spells big volume sales for participating retailers. The Autumn show last year attracted some 218,722 visitors and a whopping Dh279 million in sales, according to the show organiser. The consumer-orientated event is followed by the trade-focused Gitex Technology Week, on October 16-20, which this year marks its 36th anniversary. WEBSITE www.gitexshopperdubai.com PRICE Dh35 Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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Old World Sophistication

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Is it really possible to recreate Venice in the Arabian Gulf? It’s an ambition so grand that only the hoteliers in the United Arab Emirates, which already had the audacity to bring the Louvre to Abu Dhabi, would even attempt it. by scott armstrong

B in Abu Dhabi

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ut Venice? Teaming up with the Ritz-Carlton on a mega-hotel project that sits in the shadow of the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the emirate’s most revered architectural treasure, the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal aims to bring the glory of 17th century renaissance Italy to the GCC, trading the canals of Venice for the waters of Al Maqta’a Creek. It’s a glorious conceit, and anyone who has ever visited Venice knows that it is also an impossibility. However, while the Ritz-Carlton and Abu Dhabi may not have replicated that ancient town, the sheer amount luxury that has been poured into the 447-room property (combined with Ritz-Carlton’s light-touch sophistication)ensured that the Grand Canal was anything but a tacky Vegas-esque themed resort, but a beautiful destination hotel in its own right. Perhaps the best way to appreciate the sheer scale of this project is to walk to the water’s edge and look back on the hotel, which is in fact ten separate (but connected) buildings which form a crescent around the huge swimming pool. It’s then you see the passing resemblance to a Venice waterfront and also that you appreciate the architect of this particular hotel for creating such an impressive resort. Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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It’s not just physically large thanks to the number of buildings, its grounds are also dramatic with manicured lawns and water features honouring the spirit of the renaissance if not the exact classical definition of it. Private villas, which can also be rented, punctuate these gardens creating a wonderful space to wander through, especially at dawn as the sun is rising (said the father of a baby girl strolling around far too early for his liking). And, as you might imagine, acres of stunning marble have been used to create a lobby with real punch, delivering on that slack-jawed effectthat one assumes is a given at all RitzCarlton properties. So it’s beautiful, but what is it like to stay there?The danger of operating such a large resort is that the service levels we have come to expect along with the marbled foyers of Ritz-Carlton proper48

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ties, can be diluted, and thus the guest experience as well. Ultimately, with five-star properties you know there is a certain comfort level to be expected, but what Ritz-Carlton consistently delivers on is the well-trained staff who make sure your experience is exceptional. At the Grand Canal those staff included the affable but astoundingly competent Adrian Almirante, the Assistant Director of Rooms and the team at the hotel’s fabulous Asian restaurant, Li Jiang, where the food is almost surpassed by the service. Of course, service aside, a traveler wants to know what kind of room they can expect. Well if they spring for the RitzCarlton suite, they can’t go far wrong.This expansive suite clocks in at 126 sq m, featuring a living room, a grand dining room, a kitchen, spacious bedroom adjoined by a Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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Book your stay Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal Abu Dhabi +971 2818 8888 ritzcarlton.com

cavernous en-suite bathroom awash with marble with separate dressing areas, plus a bath and monsoon colour therapy shower.Add to that two balconies overlooking the pool, the creek and the city beyond and you have a room with major wow factor. Views, whether on a morning walk or sitting on your balcony, are one of the many splendors of this property. Wherever you are in the Grand Canal you are never far from that mesmerising view of the mosque, one of the architectural wonders of the Gulf. This iconic building provides the grandest backdrop any hotel could hope for, and is a must visit for any guest. When it comes to dining, of all the restaurants, Li Jiang really is where itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sat. Dark and intimate dĂŠcor set the mood while deft and intelligent service delivers delicious oriental fare. Their dumplings are simply amazing.The Grand Canal also has its Venetian Village, a lively al fresco promenade featuring all manner of cuisine, perfect for winter months when temperatures allow diners outside again. And for ultimate relaxation, the Grand Canal also features an ESPA spa where jacuzzis, saunas and massage therapists wait to sooth your troubles (if it is possible to have any after checking into the RitzCarlton suite). A session there will leave you revived and ready for more fine dining or some action in the Sorso sports bar. Should you really feel the need to leave the resort in search of food, just across the creek is the Souk Qaryat Al Beri, a lively spot with all manner of local eateries, a mere five-minute taxi ride away. Alternatively, you can hop on an abraand cross the river directly from the Ritz-Carlton. Is it Venice? Of course not. But does it matter? Not in the least. Abu Dhabiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homage to the renaissance has created a spectacular property that delivers a distinctive experience in an emirate awash with fivestar choice. b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t | Au g u s t 2 0 1 6

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A GCC Classic

The Oman

For residents of the UAE, Oman is seen as the quiet, southern neighbor, offering a slower pace and more traditional slice of Arabian life than what one might find these days in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. This old school feel coupled with a fabulously varied geography, make it a favourite summer-vacation destination for families from around the GCC. And there is really no better way to experience the beauty and diversity of Oman than through a road trip. So, whenever I have visitors from out of town, planning an old world Arabian roadtrip is always the first thing I do. Securing a suitable 4WD vehicle is the second.

his year, I had a houseful, with both my husband’s family and my mother in town at the same time — for the first time. We wanted to give them the full GCC experience, from the glittering modernity of the UAE, to the ancient villages of Oman, including the Hajar Mountains, sandy desert dunes, and pristine coastlines. We knew what to do and where to go, but I couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread whenever I imagined five adults packed into a car together for four days. It was the perfect opportunity to do a fullfledged road test of the new Ford Explor-

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Road Trip

Story Felicia Campbell Photography Daniel Taghavi

er sport, which ended up being the saving grace of our trip. I hadn’t driven an Explorer since the late 2000s. Despite being an American (or perhaps because of it), I hadn’t driven an American-made SUV since then, aside from rugged Jeeps, opting for more luxurious foreign models. But, let me tell you, as we drove the fully loaded 2016 Explorer Sport over 1,000 kilometres of varied terrain in less than a week with five adults intow, my mind was completely blown. My husband was likewise won over by the thoughtfully designed SUV, which comfortably sat the lot of us plus our lugb e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t | Au g u s t 2 0 1 6

gage, which we neatly packed in the halfrow storage space under one of the back row seats, thanks to convenient pushbutton optional third row seating. There were separate temperature controls for every part of the vehicle along with the added lux touch of seat coolers (and seat heaters for freaks like me who are cold in the middle of summer) for the driver and front row passenger. And it was a dream to drive, starting with the 10-way adjustable driver’s seat, adjustable pedals, and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, to performance-enhancing, touch-of-a-toggle Terrain Management System, which

we tested on the steep inclines and declines of Jebel Akhdar, the sandy stretches of Bidiyah, and on a strange winding road through the eastern Hajars that couldn’t decide if it wanted to be a freeway or an off-road adventure. The best thing about all the bells and whistles was the fact that they all worked exactly as you would want them too. Adaptive cruise control not only decelerates when a vehicle swerves ahead of you, it also speeds back up when you change lanes to pass the crazy yahoo. The navigation, so long a useless source of frustration for me that I had totally stopped trying to use in-car systems, ended up saving us on this trip when we lost our cellphone signals (and along with it our Google route map) between some towering peaks on an unmarked road. The hands-free “kickopen” trunk entry, made loading and unloading a breeze (and it is fun to use) and the keyless entry, which allowed us to walk away from our keyless machine, while taking photos or sightseeing, without our keychain, were simply marvellous. Other less useful, details, like the colour-customisable interior lighting (nightclub in the car?) worked as advertised and were admittedly fun touches. The days flew, and all five of us, no matter where we were sitting, were relaxed, comfortable, and at ease in what ended up feeling like a luxury tour bus. So, what about our ultimate overview route? We opted for what I consider the first-timer’s best hits, highlighting the surprising diversity of Oman with excursions to mountain top and seaside, enjoying both luxury to adventure, in true Oman-fashion. Everyone had a great time. For our families, it was a trip they will never forget, and for my husband and I, it reawakened us to the wonders of the Arabian Gulf as we saw it anew through their eyes. So, next time you find yourself with guests to entertain; grab this itinerary, bypass the mall, and head for the open road. Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OMAN ITINERARY

Start and end your trip in Muscat, a short four to five hour drive from Dubai. There are a plethora of options for accommodations, from 5-start beachfront hotels to inexpensive, international chain properties and you will find dining options galore.

DAY 1 HEAD FOR THE HILLS

There is nothing more stunning than the drive straight up the side of Jebel Akhdar, so be sure to leave in enough time to make the ascent in the daylight. While most camp on the mountain, it is worth a stay at the spectacular Alila hotel, one of the most luxurious properties in the entire country, perched atop the scenic cliffs. They often have special rates for GCC residents, so it is worth calling to check ahead of time. 12:00pm Have lunch in Muscat and then drive towards Nizwa. Programme Alila Jabal Akhdar into your GPS or Google Maps and enjoy the transforming scenery for the next two hours. 2:00pm Stop for sweet karak tea and Omani bread with cheese from the tea shop at base of Jebel Akhdar before be52

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ginning your accent. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll soon find out why four wheel drive vehicles are required to get up the hill. (If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a 4x4, Alila will arrange to pick you up from the checkpoint near the bottom of the mountain for a fee.) 2:30pm Drive up the mountain, pass the turn for Alila and park where the road dead-ends just before the walled-off radio tower, to get some super photos of the stepped orchards of the villages below. 4:00pm Turn back and make your final climb up to Alila and check-in. A stay at Alila is something truly memorable. It is 25 degrees cooler at the top of the mountain than in Muscat, and it is quiet. Dead quiet. The boutique resort was constructed from local stones and materiAu g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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THE DETAILS ESSENTIAL ROAD TRIP STOPS IN JEBEL AKHDAR & NIZWA AlilaJabalAkhdar Jebel Akhdar +968 2534 4200 alilahotels.com/JabalAkhdar Tea Time At the base of Jebel Akhdar, just before you make your ascent, there is a small cluster of buildings, including an old castle, Bait Al Ridaydah. Stop at the little karak shop for Omani bread and sweet tea. Scenic Overview Pass the turn for Alila, and continue towards the town of Saiq. Pass the petrol station and to the right of the Sahab hotel, where the road dead-ends, park and take in the incredible views of the cliffside orchards below. Nizwa Fort/ Souq Google Nizwa Fort, Souq is adjacent

DAY 2 FROM MOUNTAIN PEAK TO DESERT DUNE

No visit to Oman is complete without seeing the historic town of Nizwa, tucked among the date palms below the towering Hajar mountains, or without a trip to the rippling golden sands of the desert. It is perhaps most dramatic to see them in one day, travelling through the drastically transforming terrain in between. If you aren’t travelling during the summertime, the desert can be a fun place to stay overnight, so long as you don’t mind “roughing it” a bit. Otherwise, it is a long, but wellworthwhile drive to the coast, so you can wake up to a sea breeze the next morning. 8:00am Take a swim and do some sunbathing on one of the four-post outdoor beds arranged around the pool to workup an appetite for breakfast.

als and thus it nearly vanishes against the rocky backdrop, adding to its remote air. Amble slowly up a rocky path from your cliff-side suite to the stunning main building where you can soak in an indoor or outdoor Jacuzzi, take a lap in the infinity pool, visit the stellar spa, and enjoy a fresh, thoughtful menu at Juniper Restaurant or at the bar. 5:00pm Get settled into your room and watch the sunset as you enjoy a long soak in your oversize bathtub. 6:30pm Re-joining your group for a threecourse dinner overlooking the ravines at Juniper Restaurant. 8:30pm Watch the stars and enjoy a nightcap on the terrace or back in your room on your private balcony. b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t | Au g u s t 2 0 1 6

9:30am Head back to Juniper to indulge in the lavish combination of their alacarte menu, breakfast menu and the generous buffet. 11:00am Pack your bags, check-out. Programme “Nizwa Fort” into your GPS or Google Maps and take your time winding back down the scenic mountain road to the ancient village of Nizwa. 12:30pm Park in the large lot in front of the souq and take a stroll through the antique silver shops, souvenir shops, peruse local pottery, and ask about local specialties like smoked rose water. Pass by the fort to read placards about the deadly vats of boiling date juice that were poured down murder holes to ward off invaders. 2:00pm Grab a quick bite and coffee from

the small café across from the fort, but don’t linger too long in Nizwa, because you have a date with the desert to get to. 2:30pm Head south, Programme ‘Shell, Bidiyah, Oman’ into your GPS or Google Maps and watch the landscape transform once again on your two hour drive towards the fabled sands. 4:30pm Get gas at the petrol station, and if you are travelling between September and April, then head to one of the Wahiba Sands desert camps (book via agoda.com or booking.com for the best deals) for the night. If you are travelling during the summer, it’s better to just take a quick ride into the sands that begin where the main road of Bidiyah ends. Go spy on the lounging camels and if you linger long enough, a friendly Bedouin is sure to come over and invite you for coffee and dates. 6:00pm If you are not staying in Bidiyah, continue southeast along the main highway, Programme ‘Ras Al Jinz Turtle Beach Reserve’ into your GPS or Google Maps. There are some desolate plains to get through before emerging at the coast, so pay attention to your navigation. You’ll bypass the twinkling lights of the famous port city, and continue on to the turtle haven of Ras Al Jinz. 8:30pm Check in at the turtle reserve, and if you made good enough time, go straight for the 9pm turtle tour where you may get the chance to see one of the great wonders of the natural world — giant sea turtles laying their eggs, and their hatchlings running for the sea. If you didn’t make it, then have dinner and go to bed early, the next tour is at 5:00am. Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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DAY 3 COASTAL TOWNS AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

The ancient dhow building port townof Sur has retained much of its maritime character. Seeing the Dhow ship museum, and the factory where the traditional vessels are still made, is well worth the stop, and Sur is a good rest stop on any coastal journey, as it has a fair number of restaurants, coffee shops, and petrol stations. Close by, WadiShab is a particularly beautiful example of the wadis, or riverbeds, that are one of the most important natural wonders in Oman. After a long day of sightseeing and driving, a quiet, boutique hotel awaits you in the small village of Sifah. 9:00am Either sleep in a bit and have breakfast at the reserve, or if you weren’t lucky enough to catch the night show, get up at the crack of dawn for pre-breakfast turtle watching. 10:00am Check-out and Programme ‘Al Qanjah Boat Yard, Sur, Oman’ into your GPS or Google Maps. Take a drive around the small city: Check out the dhow building museum, the fish market, the beautiful Corniche, and shop for souvenirs at one of the many 300 baisa gift marts in town. 12:00pm Have cuttlefish (giant squid) biryani for lunch at Sur Sea Restaurant, then continue north and Programme ‘WadiShab Parking, Tiwi, Oman’ into your GPS or Google Maps. 1:00pm Just off the highway, WadiShab is accessible by passing through Tiwi village. Once you reach the river (you will see lots of other cars) you can just park and start your hike towards the falls. Sometimes locals will pass you on boats and will offer rides to the mouth of the partially submerged caves for a few Omani rials. 3:00pm Continue north. Programme ‘Sifawy Boutique Hotel, As Sifah, Oman’ into your GPS or Google Maps. After about an hour, start really watching your naviga54

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tion. You are about to have a semi-off-road adventure. The road to Sifah is unpaved in many parts, and runs straight through some of the spectacularly desolate areas of the Eastern Hajar Mountains. 4:00pm Drive via the very hard to find routes that link the interior road to the Sifah-Yiti Road, this is a good time to swap your cellphone maps for your GPS. Stop along the way to take photos in what looks like total wilderness. 5:00pm Arrive in Sifah at the lovely Sifawy Boutique Hotel. Check in and freshen up before heading down to the restaurant for an alfresco dinner. 8:00pm Spend the evening enjoying music and the lapping of water at the beach bar. Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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DAY 4 LEAVE ON A HIGH NOTE

While no trip to Oman is complete without deserts, mountains, forts and wadis, it is equally incomplete without a touch of the opulent, Arabian-Gulf-style luxury offered at the gold-leafed, frankincense-scented, five-star hotels around the capital city. Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, a glittering, Arabian fantasyland perched above the perfect azure sea just outside of the city, offers the opportunity to give your guests a taste of the ‘good life’ in the Sultanate. 9:00am Wander down to breakfast and enjoy a view of the marina with your morning coffee. 10:00am Rent some bikes or take a walk around the quiet bay before checking out and heading for your last, and perb e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t | Au g u s t 2 0 1 6

haps most other-worldly, destination. Programme ‘Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Oman’ into your GPS or Google Maps.

Persian mixed grill stations, pasta stations, fresh Indian, Chinese, and Continental, as well as a staggering salad and cold appetiser spread.

10:45am Arrive at Shangri-La and check in at the Bandar Hotel reception desk to retrieve your Day in Paradise passes (book your day passes ahead of time), then go down and find a row of shaded lounge chairs overlooking the beach.

3:00pm Head back to your lounges to spend the rest of the afternoon overlooking the perfect royal blue sea and relaxing in the lap of luxury.

11:15am Cabana boys will bring you fluffy towels and coolers full of ice-cold water. Order iced cappuccinos and luxuriate in the sun. Take a dip in the crystal clear waters and work up an appetite for lunch, which is included with your pass. 2:00pm Dry off and go to Al Tanoor for a show-stopping buffet lunch featuring

6:00pm As evening falls, follow the coastal road through Old Muscat and Mutrah to either your local hotel to back north to the UAE. Along the way, point out the Al Alam Palace in Old Muscat, the iconic incense burner of Riyam Park, and if you’re feeling up for it, stop for a quick stroll through the MuttrahSouq, before bidding farewell to the Sultanate, minds still buzzing from your whirlwind adventure, so close to home, yet a world apart. Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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Top Five Properties For Sale

Luxhabitat, Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only high-end real estate brokerage, gives us the rundown on the top five choices for sale in the emirate For more details on all these properties, and more, visit: Luxhabitat, Dubai's only high-end real estate brokerage and interior design company, at www.luxhabitat.ae or scan the QR code with your smart phone

Dh5.4 million Three bedroom luxury penthouse in Culture Village, Dubai

The essentials City Dubai Area Culture Village Development D1 Tower Type Apartment Availability Ready Lifestyle Luxury Penthouses Bedrooms 3 bedrooms Bathrooms 4 (3 ensuite) Built up area 2,739 sq ft Pool Community pool

This three bedroom plus maids room is one of the largest apartments in the D1 Tower, Culture Village, Dubai, located above the 60th floor. As you walk into the property you will be stunned by the awesome panoramic views of downtown Dubai including Burj Khalifa and right down the creek towards the Persian Gulf. Sunsets are truly amazing from this vantage point. The whole apartment has full floor to ceiling glass windows with stunning marble flooring in the living area's and dark solid wood floors in the bedrooms giving a very modern contemporary look and feel throughout.

Dh16.4 million Six bedroom extended Polo Home villa in Arabian Ranches, Dubai

The essentials City Dubai Area Arabian Ranches Development Polo Homes Type Villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Private Communities Bedrooms 6 bedrooms Bathrooms 7 (6 ensuite) Built up area 8,000 sq ft Plot size 18,000 sq ft Pool Infinity, heated and cooled community pool infinity, heated and cooled private pool

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This stunning, extended and upgraded brand new villa is now available for sale in the prestigious Polo Home Development. This K Type has been extended to more than 8,000 sqft of modified built up area, sits on a large 18,000 sqft plot and has been finished to a very high standard by the current owners making this ideal for cosy family living as well as transforming to an elegant entertaining space ideally located in a quiet cul-de-sac. The beautifully light and airy six bedroom family home boasts classy porcelain tile flooring, has a large open living area, a huge German Hakka designer kitchen complimented with Miele appliances flowing to an ample family/entertaining area, large dinning room, study, two en suite bedrooms, guest powder room, laundry and maids room. Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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Dh13 million Five bedroom Atrium Villa in Palm Jumeriah The essentials City Dubai Area Palm Jumeirah Development Fronds, Garden Home Sub-development Frond C Type Villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Sea-Front Properties Bedrooms 5 bedrooms Bathrooms 6 (5 ensuite) Built up area 5,343 sq ft Plot size 6,700 sq ft Pool Private pool

This stunning five bedroom beachfront villa is located on C frond and has a great expanse of water and spectacular Burj Al Arab views. On the first floor, you're welcomed by the double ceiling entrance Foyer, which leads to the spacious living room. The living area and formal dining areas, both offering large floor to ceiling windows which open up to the stunning beach view and flood the rooms with sunlight. There is a second family room that has its own exit to the Garden. The kitchen is very large, and can be utilised as a lovely family space, with a maids room, laundry and storage room as well.

Dh14 million Four bedroom villa, Palm Jumeriah The essentials City Dubai Area Palm Jumeirah Development Fronds, Garden Home Sub-development Frond O Type Villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Sea-Front Properties Bedrooms 4 bedrooms Bathrooms 5 (4 ensuite) Built up area 5,000 sq ft Plot size 6,700 sq ft Pool Private pool

This high quality four bedroom Garden Home is now available on Palm Jumeirah. This villa has been owned by the same family since handover, and has been meticulously maintained.The property affords stunning open water views and an amazing view of the iconic Atlantis hotel. This four bedroom home consists of a large open double height entrance hall with ground floor study/ family room.The large high quality redesigned kitchen is the heart of the home. The large open plan sitting room has double doors to the terrace and has lovely views of the sea.

Dh24 million The essentials

Rare four bedroom terrace penthouse in Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai

City Dubai Area Downtown Dubai Development Burj Khalifa Tower Type Penthouse Availability Ready Lifestyle Luxury Penthouses Bedrooms 4 bedrooms Bathrooms 5 (4 ensuite) Built up area 6,200 sq ft Pool Community pool

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The priciest place for sale this month comes in shape of this magnificent four bedroom terrace penthouse in Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, where you get the chance to truly live on top of the world. The very highest luxury has to offer in this special penthouse with its own private terrace, one of only eight Apartments that have this layout in the tallest tower in the world, facing the fountain at one of the highest level floors on the planet. This large four bedroom home features maids room, luxury furniture, fully upgraded. Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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Top Five Properties For Rent

We’ve teamed up with Luxhabitat, Dubai’s only high-end real estate brokerage and interior design company, to bring you our top five choices to rent For more details on all these properties, and more, visit: Luxhabitat, Dubai's only high-end real estate brokerage and interior design company, at www.luxhabitat.ae or scan the QR code with your smart phone

Dh875,000 per year Six bedroom villa Palm Jumeriah

The essentials City Dubai Area Palm Jumeirah Development Fronds, Signature Villa Sub-development Frond K Type Villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Sea-Front Properties Bedrooms 6 bedrooms Bathrooms 7 (6 ensuite) Built up area 7,000 sq ft Pool Overflow private pool

This beautifully maintained Gallery View Signature Villa is located on one of the top fronds on Palm Jumeirah. This sought after high number villa with full beach frontage would suit a family new to Dubai looking for a prestigious location. The Gallery View is one of the most popular of layouts affording ground floor open plan living and maximising the views from all family rooms of the open water and Dubai skyline. The ground floor comprises of a large open family area, private sitting, second family room, private/formal dinning, kitchen, laundry and staff rooms. Also located on the lower level, are two double en suite bathrooms and cloakroom. A staircase leading to a half floor will find you two large double en suites before continuing to the full open galleried landing with balcony views.

Dh1.8 million per year Six bedroom villa in Emirates Hills

The essentials City Dubai Area Emirates Hills Development E Sector Type Villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Private Communities Bedrooms 5 bedrooms Bathrooms 6 (5 ensuite) Built up area 14,000 sq ft Plot size 20,000 sq ft Pool Infinity, heated and cooled private pool

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Synonymous with sophistication and epitomised by glamour, the French Riviera has long been defined by chic and this warm and inviting Provençal inspired villa reflects that era and awaits a discerning tenant who would also enjoy the prestige of living in Emirates Hills. This villa is well-suited to an upmarket family and their small pets, offering five very comfortable bedrooms, divided spaciously over two of three floors, each with its own en-suite bathroom. The light filled and spacious master suite opens to an L-Shaped balcony as along with all rooms on the upper floors, wonderful garden and community views from each window. The centre-point of the house however is arguably a glorious entrance and good sized contemporary living and dining areas easily seating 10-12 people. Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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Dh350,000 per year Custom, high-end duplex penthouse loft in Jumeriah Beach Residences

The essentials City Dubai Area Jumeirah Beach Residence Development Bahar Sub-development Bahar 1 Type Duplex Availability Ready Lifestyle Luxury Penthouses Bedrooms 2 bedrooms Bathrooms 2 (0 ensuite) Built up area 1,900 sq ft Pool Community pool

This is a completely custom, duplex penthouse loft on the top-floor of Bahar 1 in Jumeriah Beach Residences. No detail was overlooked nor expense spared in creating the ultimate duplex loft in Dubai. Looking onto the sea and soon-to-be-completed Dubai Eye; this apartment features 2 bedrooms spread over two floors, double-volume ceilings in the living room and smart home technology throughout. The custom Poggenpohl kitchen comes fully equipped with built-in appliances including double wine refrigerators along with a custom-built wooden dining table featuring a self-draining ice trough to keep all your bottles cool while entertaining.

Dh175,000 per year Two bedroom apartment in Palm Jumeriah

The essentials City Dubai Area Palm Jumeirah Development Shoreline Apartments Sub-development Al Sarrood Type Apartment Availability Ready Lifestyle Private Communities Bedrooms 2 bedrooms Bathrooms 4 (1 ensuite) Built up area 1,646 sq ft Pool Community pool

This is a completely refurbished, sea-facing E Type apartment on the left-side of the Shoreline Apartments on the Palm Jumeirah. The apartment has recently undergone extensive renovations and modifications including a brand new white lacquer kitchen featuring high-end built-in appliances, modern bathroom cabinetry and ashwood floors installed throughout the entire apartment. Entering the apartment you have the brand new and ergonomically designed, U-shaped kitchen to your left which overlooks the open concept living/dining room. Off the main living area is a 120 sq.ft covered terrace with plenty of sitting room overlooking the Sea and Burj Al Arab.

Dh385,000 per year Five bedroom villa in Jumeirah Golf Estates

The essentials City Dubai Area Jumeirah Golf Estates Development Flame Tree Ridge Type Villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Golf Retreats Bedrooms 5 bedrooms Bathrooms 4 (2 ensuite) Built up area 5,633 sq ft Plot size 9,000 sq ft Pool Community pool, private pool

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This beautifully maintained, brand new Turnberry-style villa in Flame Tree Ridge, Jumeirah Golf Estates is in a great location offering views of the Championship Fire Course, 18th Fairway. The villa boasts a light and airy ground floor with ample living space, a large open designer kitchen, study room which can easily be used as a guest bedroom with a full guest bathroom next door, a unique conservatory/kitchen garden, a separate laundry room and direct access to the garage. The first floor has 3 well appointed bedrooms and a large master suite with huge balcony maximizing the amazing views. The property comes fully landscaped, BBQ area and with a private pool. Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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Fashion for Her

With the soaring heat and humidity, the best way to stay cool and composed is by doning breezy dresses and scene-stealing shoes from the likes of LK Bennett and Adrianna Papell.

LK Bennett

Dh1,660 Formal occasions provide the perfect excuse to wow in this summer dress decorated with a scattering of florals. Opt for buttercup yellow or cornflower blue accessories.

LK Bennett

Dh1,570 If there was ever a statement sandal to see you through many an occasion this rose-coloured shoe is it. Featuring a soft suede leather bow, these pretty skyscraper heels will ensure all eyes are firmly fixed on your feet.

Adrianna Papell Adrianna Papell

Dh520 This chic, wear-me-anywhere pointy toe pump is the perfect addition to any outfit. Team with a a classic white shirt and tailored rousers for a wearable work-day look or pair with a classic little black dress for after-sunset cocktails.

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Dh575 Shimmer and shine in these intricate pearly pale gold heels made for hitting the dancefloor. A wardrobe hero when you want to dress up an evening look.

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LK Bennett

Dh1,910

LK Bennett

The Lina dress has graphic appeal, thanks to its eyecatching geometric print. Accessorise with a skinny patent belt, to further cinch the waist, and opt for an clutch to finish off your look.

Dh2,140 In a buttercup yellow, the Kara midi-length features an all-over daisy print which is as feminine as the faltering silhouette. Partner with nude courts and a metallic clutch at your next formal event.

LK Bennett

Dh1,420 A flat sure to steal the show, the sparkly Martha ballerina pump features dazzling pink glitter and a distinct crystal broach detail. Make it the focus of a simple casual weekend look, or pair with an event ready dress for bold feminine chic.

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LK Bennett

Dh1,660 When putting together an evening look, consider a statement midi skirt as a contemporary option. This silky skirt in a pretty pastel print cinches the waist before kicking out the ankle. Tuck in a simple blouse and finish with black courts to keep it in focus.

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Fashion for Him

Summer feels like it's here to say. Enjoy the last of the season's fury with cool, stylish looks to covering you from your over air-conditioned office to sun-worshiping weekend escapes.

Brooks Brother

Dh565 The thin cardigan sweater is everywhere right now and this men's grey striped button-front style is the best we have seen in shops. Layer it over, under, or any way you please — cardigans are infinitely cooler, more versatile and more indispensable than a sweater.

Brooks Brother

Dh405 Hardly any sartorial selection works harder than a classic chinos. Breezier than denim, they are one of the most versatile pieces in a man’s wardrobe and also there is just no simpler way to look sharp in the sunshine. These beige chino can be worn in a formal setting with a tailored shirt or team with a bright-coloured polo shirt for a more causal look that transcend seasons and style.

Brooks Brother

Dh1,900 This is why every man should invest in a high-quality navy blue blazer A classic addition to any man’s wardrobe, If you don't already own a well-fitting sports jacket, it should be the first thing you buy this summer. This isn’t a suit jacket so don’t treat it as such — team with a preppy printed shirt and a sneaker for a more causal look.

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Brooks Brother Dh1,425 Dress for success with these wingtipinspired suede sneakers. In a versatile navy blue these will inject a dressier spirit than a sporty sneaker. Team with jeans and a polo-shirt for day-time or switch up to an oxford blue shirt for a laid-back look for after-work socials.

Brooks Brother

Dh235 It is a cornerstone item that guys turn to season after season and the unofficial summer stable in any man’s wardrobe — the humble polo-shirt is one. Elevate casual style with this turquoise number made for getting attention.

Brooks Brother

Dh425 Considered the ‘dressed-up’ option to a t-shirt or polo-shirt, a every man needs a section of dress shirts in his closet. This regent blue shirt is a classic summer look for the sophisticated man.

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Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

Play Events Planner The concert season is upon us in the UAE — and this year’s schedule is busier than most. The planned opening of the Dubai Opera at the end of August brings with it an even more diverse range of musical events. Here is Benchmark’s rundown of the top cultural events of the coming month.

Zayn Malik live in Dubai Opera Without Words WHEN October 7 WHEN September 5 WHERE Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai WHERE Dubai Opera The former One Direction heartthrob Zayn Malik is set to rock Dubai’s Autism Rocks Arena on October 7. It marks the first Middle Eastern show for the 23-year-old English singer and songwriter, who performs simply as ‘Zayn’. The tour is to promote his solo album “Mind of Mine”, which was released in March and includes singles “Pillowtalk” and “Like I Would”.Zayn’s former bandmates in One Direction, the world’s biggest boyband, played in Dubai in April 2015 — just days after Zayn announced he had quit. WEBSITE www.117live.com PRICE From Dh295

The magnificent Dubai Opera — the new 2,000-person-capacity venue near the Burj Khalifa — is set to host its first performance on August 31, so music-lovers have many more musical treats in store for them. September’s ‘Opera without Words’ concentrates on just that: The magnificent orchestral pieces, rather than human voices, that are integral to opera. Conductor Francesco Quattrocchi will lead this evening of Italian Opera’s greatest overtures and interludes. WEBSITE www.dubaiopera.com PRICE From Dh300

Coppéliaat Dubai Opera

PHOTO shutterstock

WHEN September 15-17 WHERE Dubai Opera

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Time for another show at the new Dubai Opera, this one performed by The Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia. Set to Léo Delibes’ beautiful score, Coppélia is a captivating ballet based on a story called “Der Sandmann” by E.T.A. Hoffmann. Dr. Coppélius is an eccentric toymaker who has built a life-sized doll, Coppélia, which sits in his window. Franz, a young villager, is unaware that Coppélia is only a doll and falls in love with her, even though he is already engaged. Infatuated with the inventor’s new doll, Franz sneaks into Dr. Coppélius’ workshop and chaos ensues. WEBSITE www.dubaiopera.com PRICE From Dh350

Cirque Du Soleil – Varekai WHEN September 16-24 WHERE Dubai World Trade Centre Expect some high-flying, death-defying stunts as the Cirque Du Soleil returns to Dubai for its brand new show, Varekai. The scene is set deep inside a forest at the top of a volcano, where anything is possible. The acrobatic show includes the ‘Flight of Icarus’ — full of astounding dives and contortions — and the ‘Russian Swings’, in which acrobats are hurled high in the air. It’s all guaranteed to provoke gasps from the audience. WEBSITE www.cirquedusoleil.com PRICE From Dh245 Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

The Kapil Sharma Comedy Show

Impossible

The quick-witted Indian comic Kapil Sharma is set to perform a one-night stand-up show in August. One of India’s biggest names in comedy, he rose to fame with his show ‘Comedy Nights With Kapil’, one of the most-watched shows on television. His new series — ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’, which is broadcast on Sony Entertainment Television — started airing in April 2016. Sharma was last year named by Forbes India as the 27th top celebrity in the South Asian county.

WHEN September 26-30 WHERE Dubai Opera Impossible, billed as the “greatest magic show on earth”, features some of the world’s best illusionists live on stage. Expect death-defying stunts, technological trickery, grand stage illusions and closeup magic in this fast-paced performance. Fresh from its run in London’s West End, the Dubai line-up includes street magician Magical Bones, daredevil and escapologist Jonathan Goodwin, conjurer Sabine van Diemen, grand illusionist Josephine Lee, and mind-reader Chris Cox.Expect everyone to say, “how did they do that?”

WEBSITE tickets.virginmegastore.me PRICE From Dh200

WEBSITE www.dubaiopera.com PRICE From Dh250

PHOTO yannimedia.ifo

WHEN August 12 WHERE Al Raha Beach Theatre, Abu Dhabi

Yanni live in Abu Dhabi WHEN September 30 WHERE du Forum, Abu Dhabi Yanni — the award-winning, internationally renowned composer and multiinstrumentalist — is set to make his first Abu Dhabi appearance in late September. The Greek artist will enchant fans with a brand new show including new compositions from his latest album ‘Sensuous Chill’. A 15-member international orchestra will accompany him. The largely instrumental composer — full name Yiannis Chryssomallis — has clocked up reported album sales of more than 25 million over his 30-year career. WEBSITE www.thinkflash.ae PRICE From Dh495

PHOTO wires

Arab Comedy Festival Badke WHEN September 9-10 WHERE Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi

This gala evening of magnificent arias from Mozart’s most famous operas and orchestral favourites is set to be performed by the Vienna Concert-Verein Orchestra. Expect overtures, arias and duets from The Marriage of Figaro and The Magic Flute, and the composer’s famous movements from the Symphony No. 41.

More comedy awaits you in Abu Dhabi! The newly created Arab Comedy Festival is set to feature a stellar line up of comedians, set over two days. The first evening, hosted by the popular Emirati social commentator Bin Baz, will feature live stand-up comedy performances by the likes of the ‘Saudi Trio’ — namely Fadi Al Shehri, Ibrahim Saleh and Ibrahim Khairallah. The second evening, hosted by Taim Al Falasi, the first Emirati women to establish an internet radio show, presents on stage RajaeQawas, Darin Al Bayed and Fahad Al Butairi. It’s an Arabic-language event.

WEBSITE www.dubaiopera.com PRICE From Dh300

WEBSITE www.thinkflash.ae PRICE From Dh100

Mozart Gala

WHEN September 23 WHERE Dubai Opera

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WHEN September 8-9 WHERE NYU Abu Dhabi — The Arts Center This Belgian-Palestinian dance production is billed as a mix of the popular ‘dabke’ – a modern Arab folk circle dance – with “joyous bursts of modern dance, hip-hop, capoeira, and circus”. It was created in collaboration between a group of Belgian choreographers and 10 young dancers in Ramallah. “Behind the relentless energy and joy also lie darker moments, alluding to life under occupation and violence,” according to the venue’s website. “But in the end, however, one thought prevails: We will dance until we collapse.” WEBSITE www.nyuad-artscenter.org PRICE Check website for details Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

Play Health

Fitness hacks FOR

Don’t write-off your work outlet just because of a long, hot summer. Here are some simple ways to stay fit and cool. By Sudeshna Ghosh

for filling the gaps when high-intensity workouts just aren't going to happen. It will not only provide muscle conditioning and strengthening, but also promote inner health and well-being.

hen it’s searing hot outside, you don’t really feel like doing anything, and it’s easy to forget about exercising (ask my daschunds, they haven’t been walked in a week!). We’re talking about the average mortal here of course, not the hardcore fitness enthusiast who ensures they get in a 5K run even when it’s over 50-degrees. Well, rest assured, you’re not just being lazy, you’ve got science on your side. Studies at The University of Texas at Austin have shown that adults are less physically active where summers are hot and humid. Well, if the Middle East doesn’t fit that bill, we don’t know where does. This is because, when it is hot outside, the blood goes to the skin to keep it cool, instead of the muscles, thereby inducing a sense of lethargy and exhaustion. But, there are ways to work in some gentle exercise in spite of the weather, so you can stay in shape without punishing yourself too much.

Aqua adventures It’s a no-brainer really, but when it’s hot, cooling off in the pool is a fun way to stay fit. Perfect your strokes with regular swim sessions, the only caveat being, you’ll need an indoor or a temperature-controlled pool as water in the outdoor pools here can get uncomfortably hot during the day. Taking up a new sport such as paddle boarding is also a great idea, as long as you can get out into the ocean early in the cooler mornings. Walk the line Take the UAE’s favourite national pastime and turn it into a workout. Mall walking in all its air-conditioned glory will let you 66

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Keep your house in order When you’re stuck indoors, why not swap vegetating on the couch for cleaning up under the couch? Take the opportunity to give your home a thorough clean-up, which will get you moving, lifting, bending, stretching, and burning calories. Dance off There is no more fun way to work up a sweat than dancing. With the dizzying array of classes on offer around town, you’re never too far from a Zumba or Salsa session. Even if you don’t fancy yourself nimble-footed, it’s worth a try, as the infectious rhythms and the general energy will definitely get you moving.

forget the outside temperatures, while the oversized malls here ensure a good long trek. The only trick is to stay away from the tempting fast food offerings and to avoid giving your wallet a workout in the process too. Zen it out Yoga is a gentle form of exercise that is ideal

Make a racquet Racquet sports like squash or paddel tennis are designed for the indoors and make for a serious workout. Squash can burn up to 1,000 calories per hour. Need we say more? In fact, if you love sport, then the summerperfect facilities like Dubai Sports World (www.dubaisportsworld.ae) and InSportz Club (http://insportzclub.com) leave no room for summertime excuses as they allow you to play any sport normally played outdoors — whether it’s cricket, rugby, or volleyball — in a comfortable indoor space. Just remember, when it is this hot, it’s smart to exercise safely, which means staying hydrated, protected from the sun, and just a bit easier on yourself. Au g u s t 2 0 1 6 | b e n c h m a r k m i d d l e e a s t

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