The Tech Innovation Forum 2026 by Entrepreneur Middle East offers rare, in-depth access to a select group of the region’s most established and influential business leaders. Designed around meaningful, intimate conversations rather than traditional conference formats, the one-day event brings audiences closer to the entrepreneurs, innovators and visionaries shaping business, technology and society across the MENA region and beyond.
The Tech Innovation Forum 2026 is built around six carefully curated fireside chats, giving each conversation the time and space it deserves.
Each fireside chat is designed to go beyond the obvious: to unpack how businesses are really being built, how leaders make difficult decisions, where they see opportunity, and what they have learned along the way.
Our six guests are among the GCC and MENA region’s most accomplished entrepreneurs, innovators and visionaries- people whose businesses, ideas and decisions influence where the region goes next. But this is an opportunity to discover more than their professional biographies.
Through intimate one-on-one conversations, The Tech Innovation Forum 2026 offers a rare chance to get to know the people behind the companies, achievements and headlines.
The people on stage matter. So do the people sitting next to you.
The Tech Innovation Forum 2026 brings together people who build companies, back ideas, lead teams, and make things happen. The conversations between sessions are just as valuable as those taking place on stage.
This is networking with purpose: an opportunity to meet fellow achievers, exchange ideas.
Tech Innovation Forum 2026 will shine a spotlight on the visionary developers and impactful Tech Innovation Forum 2026 businesses that are shaping the industry. This invitation-only gala ceremony brings together the best of the world for an evening of recognition and inspiration. Come onboard as we honor individual and industry achievements that redefine success.
| Benefits | Keynote speech | Logo on trophy | Logo on stage | Logo on invites | Logo on menu | Logo on branding | Video on stage | Display area | Handing trophies | Logo on coverage | Video interview | Seating affords | Advertising in Entrepreneur-ME* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum Ally | 4 | 2 full tables |
12 full print pages |
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| Gold Ally | 3 | 1 full table |
6 Full print pages |
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| Silver Ally | 2 | 10 guests |
3 Full print pages |
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| Category Ally | 1 | 5 guests |
1 Full print page |
Omar Hamdi founded Pathos in 2019 and has led the company as CEO since its inception. Prior to establishing Pathos, he spent nearly seven years working in TV and media, holding several presenting and publishing roles with BBC One Wales, BBC Radio 2, The Independent, The Express, and New Internationalist. Hamdi’s most recent role in the media was as a television presenter on a BAFTA-winning consumer affairs show on BBC One Wales.
Omar has also contributed to four books, two of which were shortlisted for Times book of the year.
Omar graduated from Leeds University School of Computing with a degree in Cognitive Science. He has held positions of responsibility within the UK StartUp Awards and the Peachscore Venture Accelerator in California.
Alain Bejjani is an investor, author, global thought leader, and former CEO of Majid Al Futtaim. Earlier in his career, he served as Executive Vice Chairman of the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL).
With more than two decades of leadership experience across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, he has driven major business growth, digital transformation, and sustainable finance initiatives, and he serves on the Atlantic Council’s International Board.
He is also the author of NEXT: Leading Through the New Realities, a book on leading through uncertainty and change.
Today, Alain is also an investor on Shark Tank Lebanon, supporting emerging entrepreneurs and businesses across the region.
Tamara Pupic is the Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Middle East, the Dubai-based regional edition of Entrepreneur. She is a journalist, editor, communications professional, and moderator with extensive experience covering entrepreneurship, business, leadership, startups, and innovation across the MENA region.
Haider Khan is the CEO of Bayut and dubizzle, and leads the UAE business of Dubizzle Group. He joined Bayut in 2014 and has a background in engineering and technology, including previous experience with National Instruments and Silicon Laboratories. He studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin.
Wissam Younane is CEO of BNC Media Group, a leading regional publishing and events powerhouse behind Entrepreneur in MENA and several influential media platforms. With over two decades of experience, he has built a dynamic media ecosystem spanning print, digital, broadcast, and live events. An angel investor and media entrepreneur, Wissam champions innovation, thought leadership, and emerging founders, supporting ventures and partnerships that drive regional growth and global impact.
Toufic Kreidieh is a Lebanese entrepreneur and the co-founder and Executive Chairman of BFL Group, the parent company of Brands For Less. He co-founded the business with Yasser Beydoun in 1996 in Lebanon, starting with a single store and growing it into a major off-price retail group across the GCC and Southeast As
Joelle Mardinian is a leading entrepreneur and founder of Joelle Group, the beauty and wellness empire behind Maison de Joelle, Clinica Joelle and Joelle Paris. Over two decades, she has transformed her expertise and personal brand into a diversified regional business, establishing herself as an influential female entrepreneur. Joelle also had her own reality show in Shahid Joelle Unfiltered.
George Hojeige is a Dubai-based business executive and the Group CEO of Virtugroup, which includes Virtuzone and several other business-services companies. He has more than two decades of experience spanning engineering, sales, business development, media, and corporate services. Before joining Virtuzone, he served as Group Commercial Director at ITP Media Group, where he worked with major titles including Arabian Business and Esquire.
Richard Fitzgerald is an Irish entrepreneur and media executive based in Dubai. He is the Founder and CEO of Augustus Media, the modern media company behind platforms including Lovin Dubai, Lovin Saudi, and Smashi. Fitzgerald founded Augustus Media in 2015, after previously leading social media at Mindshare MENA. Under his leadership, the company has expanded across the MENA region and grown into one of the region’s prominent independent digital media groups.
Richard Fitzgerald is an Irish entrepreneur and media executive based in Dubai. He is the Founder and CEO of Augustus Media, the modern media company behind platforms including Lovin Dubai, Lovin Saudi, and Smashi. Fitzgerald founded Augustus Media in 2015, after previously leading social media at Mindshare MENA. Under his leadership, the company has expanded across the MENA region and grown into one of the region’s prominent independent digital media groups.
With more than 32 years of experience across banking and financial services, Ramesh Murthy is a Senior Executive Officer at CUSP Wealth, a Dubai-based wealthtech platform at the intersection of technology, finance and human expertise. His focus is on transforming how people build and manage wealth, making investing more accessible, personalised and transparent, while advancing Shariah-compliant and values-driven investment solutions.
Viktor Uzunov is the co-founder and CEO of UEB3, a Web3 native investment fund, an on-chain finance and investment company, that manages US$70 million in digital assets, focusing on on building next-generation digital and Web3 solutions. An entrepreneur and innovator, Uzunov is driving UEB3’s growth by connecting emerging technologies with real-world business opportunities, helping organizations navigate digital transformation while building scalable solutions for the future economy.
Naeem Hussain is an entrepreneur, technology executive, and Founder & CEO of LockThreat, with over two decades of experience building and scaling global technology businesses. Previously, he founded AgileTrailblazers and co-founded CirrusLabs, expanding operations across six countries. Today, he focuses on AI, cybersecurity, governance, risk, and compliance, helping organizations navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape.