Alvaro Sanmarti / The National
Alvaro Sanmarti / The National
Alvaro Sanmarti / The National
Alvaro Sanmarti / The National

Governance in focus: how it can guide start-ups and foster innovation


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Dynamic start-ups and the onerous requirements of corporate governance can often seem worlds apart.

Young high-tech ventures are often run on a shoestring by a tiny team, with some not even having established how they will actually make money. Many new entrepreneurs can only dream of an initial public offering, and the formal corporate governance requirements that can bring.

But the principles of good governance can still be of great value to start-ups, says the managing partner of one Dubai-based venture capital group.

Alvaro Abella, the managing partner at Beco Capital – which manages a portfolio of nine investments, including stakes in the taxi app Careem, the marketplace JadoPado and the auction site SellAnyCar.com – says governance principles such as having independent directors, regular reporting and diversity can all be useful to start-ups.

Here Mr Abella explains how good governance can be a boost to innovation:

What use is corporate governance in fostering innovation?

It can facilitate the flow of ideas, for instance, by having advisers and independent directors on the board who are subject-matter experts in areas where the company wants to innovate. That is a way to actually get fresh ideas, partnerships and contacts into the company. An up-and-coming start-up that is trying to do things in a different manner obviously requires some mentorship, some guidance and some advice.

Are there any other corporate governance guidelines – like on women being nominated to boards, or remuneration policy – that are relevant to young businesses?

Definitely. Incentives, and how incentives are created, can have a role in how a company moves forward in terms of innovation, how fast it can innovate. Diversity is always good. And I think reporting, and getting into a rhythm of reporting, for start-ups is something that will be required more and more. We generally think it’s good for start-ups to get into the discipline of reporting on a periodic basis.

Is this something that Beco Capital considers when it looks at businesses to invest in?

We definitely do that. And we not only talk the talk but walk the walk. We have an advisory board, we have people who are in attendance and whom we seek council from ourselves. And we definitely look to do that in any of the boards that we put together and establish in young companies.

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Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.

One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.

The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.

Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.

It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.

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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


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Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
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Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
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