Latest news with #Dubai-born
Mid East Info
4 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
Zoftware's Aayushman Dalmia wins Innovation Excellence award at Ignyte SME Challenge - Middle East Business News and Information
Aayushman Dalmia, founder of Dubai-based startup Zoftware, has won the Innovation Excellence Award at the Digital Enablement of SMEs Challenge. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence of UAE and Ignyte, positions Dalmia for further growth as he continues his mission to simplify software discovery for small and medium businesses across the region. Dalmia's platform, Zoftware, has been steadily gaining traction in the MENA startup ecosystem for offering a streamlined approach to finding, comparing and selecting enterprise software solutions – a process that remains a hurdle for many growing businesses. 'This award is a testament to the need for simplifying tech access for SMEs,' said Dalmia, who has been named among Forbes Middle East's 30 Under 30 entrepreneurs in the past. 'Our goal has always been to bridge the digital divide by helping businesses make faster, more informed software decisions.' The challenge is part of a wider push to accelerate SME digitisation across the region — an agenda that aligns closely with both government and private-sector priorities in the UAE. Aimed at recognising impactful solutions that accelerate SME digital transformation, the challenge, held recently in Dubai, drew hundreds of high-potential founders from across the MENA region. Dalmia impressed the jury with his platform's clear value proposition and scalable vision—matching SMEs with the right digital tools through a curated marketplace backed by intelligent filters, user reviews, and guided discovery. 'This award validates everything we've been building at Zoftware for the past couple of years or so,' said Dalmia, speaking after the ceremony. 'Technology shouldn't be a hurdle—it should be a launchpad. We're making it easier for SMEs to make smart digital decisions without needing an IT degree.' With this latest recognition, Zoftware joins a growing list of Dubai-born startups gaining international visibility, reinforcing the city's position as a launchpad for regional innovation. A Track Record of Disruptive Innovation- Zoftware has been making headlines since its launch for its ambitious aim: to become the region's go-to platform for B2B software discovery. In 2024, the company was recognised by TechRadar MENA as one of the 'Top 10 Startups to Watch' in the SaaS enablement space. Under Dalmia's leadership, Zoftware has grown rapidly, onboarding hundreds of software vendors and serving SMEs in sectors ranging from logistics and retail to health and education. Beyond the Prize: A Strategic Boost- 'We're at a tipping point now,' Dalmia added. 'This support will help us go deeper in key markets and integrate more AI-driven features to guide SME software choices. Our roadmap includes multi-language access, fintech tools, and region-specific integrations.' Digital Enablement: A Regional Imperative- As the UAE and wider Gulf continue to prioritise SME growth as a cornerstone of economic diversification, platforms like Zoftware are stepping in to close the tech literacy and access gap. According to a recent report by the World Bank, nearly 75% of SMEs in the MENA region still lack structured digital infrastructure – a gap Zoftware aims to close. 'We're not selling software – we're selling clarity, confidence, and capacity,' Dalmia said. 'If we get this right, we unlock not just productivity, but resilience and long-term competitiveness for thousands of businesses.' With the Innovation Excellence Award now under its belt, Zoftware is poised to scale further and cement its role as a key enabler of SME digital transformation in the region.
What's On
22-05-2025
- Business
- What's On
The Giving Movement is launching their own cafe at City Walk
The Giving Movement will be giving us life with caffeine… Word is out that The Giving Movement, everyone's favourite homegrown athleisure and apparel brand, is launching its very own cafe and we can't keep calm. We spotted a sneaky announcement on their Instagram stories, saying that they are soft launching their very first cafe out of their flagship store in City Walk. Not much was else was detailed besides the fact that the project has been under works, secretly, for a while, and that they're bringing together coffee, culture and community in one space. The videos from the soft launch showed a stellar response, with a the massive store packed and teeming with people. So, far not much is known about the opening dates, the menu and all the finer details, but we'll be keeping our eye out to stay tuned with the updates. The Giving Movement is one of Dubai's biggest homegrown success stories. Since launching its e-commerce site in April 2020, the Dubai-born athleisure brand has gone from strength to strength, expanding rapidly with multiple stores across Dubai. The brand isn't only in the business of creating eco-friendly athleisurewear, but it's also in the business of giving back, with Dhs15 donated to charity partner Dubai Cares & Harmony House for every item sold. So when you buy from The Giving Movement, you're doing some good too. Cafes in stores? This isn't the first time an apparel brand has launched a cafe or a cafe pop-up inside their stores. These fun activations are great to keep the buzz around the store up, and several names have jumped on that bandwagon. Kate Spade and Coach both did pop-up cafes in their stores for limited periods of time only. Both the pop-ups were located in the Bloomingdales in The Dubai Mall, and served uber chic themed coffee and treats. Tiffany & Co officially opened their iconic Blue Box Café in Dubai Mall earlier last year, the only Blue Box Café in the Middle East and the fourth around the whole world. This one isn't a pop-up, and you can still visit for a chic meal anytime of the day. The American fashion designer, Ralph Lauren, brought a dash of New York chic to Dubai with a luxe café brand, Ralph's Coffee. Located at the Mall of the Emirates, the photogenic café is attached to Polo Ralph Lauren on the first floor of the mall. @thegivingmovement Images: Supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
What's On
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
London calling: The best things to do in the British capital this summer
Soon to be the highest rooftop restaurant in West London, from Singapore via Dubai comes CE LA VI. A renowned modern Asian restaurant that always pairs fabulous views with its elevated pan-Asian dishes and craft cocktails, it marks the brands European debut. Set over an impressive 17,000 sq ft, it promises striking views across West London's swanky streets from levels 17 and 18 of the Renzo Piano Building in Paddington. @ Amelie As Dubai-born Sunset Hospitality continues to dominate the global dining scene, they opened Amelie in London late last year. Housed in a historic building in Belgravia's Motcomb Street, the luxury restaurant is a two-floor dining destination that presents exquisite French fare. In the (hopefully) balmy summer months, a table on the terrace is the one to book where a predominantly Provencal menu is perfect for leisurely lunches. @ Sabine Rooftop A rooftop jewel in London City's crown, Sabine Rooftop is one of London's most iconic rooftop bars. After an extensive refresh in the winter months, it's got an elevated new look but those same picture-perfect views of St Paul's Cathedral. The interiors are rich and jewel-hued, and the new menu matches the upgraded look with plates like kefir lime sesame chicken toast, burrata and black truffle tortellini and tiger prawns with aji chili verde. @sabinerooftopbar La Môme The latest in a string of European hotspots to make its mark on London's upscale dining scene is La Môme. Now bringing the spirit of the French Riviera to The Berkeley, it's bottled up the glamour of Cannes and sprinkled it over a 220-seater restaurant in Knightsbridge. The interiors are rich and sultry, and the menu features sea bass ceviche, parmigiana risotto and king crab and avocado. @ Barbarella From big mamma whatson,.ae the larger-than-life team behind Instagrammable Italian restaurants Gloria, Ave Mario and Circolo Poplare comes Barbarella. Inspired by the golden age of Roman cinema, Barbarella will open in June, bringing its signature maximalist take on décor, dining and drinks to the YY Building in Canary Wharf. Interior highlights at this over-the-top waterside spot will include a three-metre-wide amber chandelier, a gold-framed open kitchen, and a mirrored bar. Barbarella will also serve up the group's largest cocktail list, and menu staples will include a one-metre-long spaghettone and a 1.2kg T-bone steak. @ Must-see stage & screen Cartier at the V&A Museum A major exhibition of Cartier pieces runs at The Sainsbury Gallery at the V&A until November. Lovers of luxury jewellery will admire the craftsmanship poured into more than 350 Cartier pieces, which feature precious jewels and historic gemstones. Charting the evolution of Cartier's legacy since the turn of the 20th century, timeless pieces include a brooch once owned by Princess Margaret, an engagement ring worn by Grace Kelly, and a series of dazzling tiaras. @vamuseum The Great Gatsby Musical Bringing the greatest party on London's biggest stage to the London Coliseum right through until September 7 is The Great Gatsby. Fresh from a smash-hit run on Broadway, the story of mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby is brought to life with an all-star cast that includes Love Island and High School Musical alumni. @ldngatsby BST Hyde Park A firm favourite on the London festival scene since 2013, BST Hyde Park brings some of the biggest names in music to the British capital each summer. Taking place over weekends in June and July, headliners this year include Sabrina Carpenter, Stevie Wonder and Olivia Rodrigo. @bsthydepark The best of the rest A fabulous food hall: BOXHALL City Bringing Boxpark's cool vibes to a historic food hall at Liverpool Street is BOXHALL City. Home to 14 kitchens and two bars this just-opened foodie hub features a curated mix of global cuisines to take you from breakfast to after-work drinks and late-night dinners. You'll likely recognise cult favourites like Eggslut, Inamo and Burger & Beyond, but will also discover some new flavours. @boxhallcity Gigs galore: Somerset House Summer Series Somerset House's courtyard has played host to myriad cultural, fashion and musical events – and in the summer among the highlights is the Somerset House Summer Series. Running from July 10 to 20, the open-air gig series will play host to an eclectic mix of established and emerging artists. Names to know this time around are Rizzle Kicks, Giggs and St Vincent. @somersethouse Alfresco cinema: Rooftop Film Club Outdoor screenings take over London in the summer. Rooftop Film Club operates two of the most popular locations – Peckham's Bussey Building and Stratford's Rooftop East. Headsets and deck chairs are provided, and when you're not watching the on-screen blockbusters, there are stretching city views to admire. There are well-stocked bars and food vendors to keep you fuelled, and films range from Disney classics and rom-coms to cult favourites. @rooftopfilmclub > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
What's On
08-05-2025
- Business
- What's On
Emirates staff to receive bonus worth 22-week salary - What's On
Following on from a year of 'record financial results', the Emirates Group has informed its eligible staff that they can look forward to a massive bonus that's on its way, equivalent to 22-weeks of basic salary, in their upcoming pay packets. Interestingly the staff bonus of 22-weeks, is a 2-week increase from the 20-week salary share of the previous year's profits as reported by Khaleej Times. Emirates Group currently has 121,223 employees employed, according to their website. Gulf News has reported that the group announced a record-breaking profit before tax of Dh 22.7 billion. It was reported that both areas of the Group's business, Emirates Airline and dnata, contributed record revenues during the financial year. Emirates recently added lots of new aircrafts with retrofitted cabins, along with the new Emirates A350 planes that were revealed at the end of 2024. This was a landmark move in the airline's history, as it's the first time the Dubai-born carrier has added a new aircraft type to its fleet since 2008. If you're interested in rerouting your own career, in the hope things will take off (sorry) with Emirates – you can check out their current vacancies on the website. 3 of 12 Images: Emirates > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Electra announces key leadership appointments to ridve operational excellence and transformation
Dubai, UAE – Electra, created in Dubai 33 years ago, is a leading provider of event production and manufacturing solutions in the Middle East. A Dubai-born business, Electra started with a team of just 15 and has grown into a powerhouse of 550 event experts across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The company is proud to announce two significant leadership appointments that underscore its commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth. Willean Master Appointed as Chief Operating Officer Willean Master has been named Chief Operating Officer, following four transformative years leading Electra's operational optimization and growth initiatives. Under her leadership, Electra has solidified its position as a trusted production partner for government entities, global brands, and creative agencies across the region. Willean played a pivotal role in implementing a company-wide LEAN transformation, deploying Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP tailored to Electra's hybrid manufacturing and events model, and fast-tracking the rollout of Coupa to streamline procurement. She also championed the attainment of key sustainability certifications, including ICV, EcoVadis, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001, while embedding ethical procurement practices through CIPS certifications across teams. Her efforts culminated in the expansion of Electra's logistics and production footprint across the UAE and KSA to over 52,000 square meters (560,000 square feet), setting new benchmarks for the industry. Nicolas Nabot Named Transformation Officer As part of Electra's continued evolution, Nicolas Nabot has been promoted to the role of Transformation Officer. A former Electra leader, Nicolas returns to the company after overseeing infrastructure for the Paris 2024 Olympics. He brings a wealth of international experience to support Electra's cross-departmental transformation, with a focus on scaling research & development, systems, and processes to match the company's growing ambitions. Driving the Future of Operational Innovation Together, Willean's operational expertise and Nicolas's transformation vision position Electra for the next phase of sustainable, tech-enabled growth. Following several years of steady expansion, Electra is now more equipped than ever to support its clients' boldest ambitions across the region. As a proud UAE-born business, Electra exemplifies Made in the UAE excellence, with locally driven innovation and manufacturing capabilities now being exported to other markets. The company remains committed to supporting the national visions of the UAE, contributing to economic diversification and enabling the delivery of world-class events that elevate the region's global standing. Electra congratulates Willean and Nicolas on their new roles and looks forward to the continued success of its leadership team.
