Local Dragon’s Den awaits start-ups at media summit in Abu Dhabi

Fans of the TV series Dragon’s Den can see a live version at the Abu Dhabi Media Summit from October 22 to 24.

Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, the chairman of Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority, during last year’s media summit in Abu Dhabi. Karl Jeffs

Local fans of Dragon's Den, a global television series featuring entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, will get to see a live version in the emirate this month.

At the upcoming Abu Dhabi Media Summit (October 22 to 24) on Yas Island, start-up companies in the sector will be pitching for funds from investors seeking equity in promising firms.

The event will take place on the third day of the summit, which is in its fourth year. The format will be similar to that of the television show’s.

The panel of investors will analyse the companies’ ideas, and declare the winner at the end of the session.

At the summit, representatives from assorted international companies including Twitter, Walt Disney, Viacom, Discovery Networks and Wipro will share their thoughts on topics such as digital media and the role of the Middle East in advancing the media industry.

The management consultancies Booz & Company and McKinsey will reveal their research findings on new developments and trends in the media industry in accordance with the summit’s focus on exploiting opportunities in the digital age.

“The summit’s focus on media entrepreneurship and youth in the Middle East and North Africa will provide Arab youths and students the opportunity to engage with media leaders and fuel the increasing appeal of the media industry as a sophisticated career choice, which is critical to Abu Dhabi’s long-term ambitions for a sustainable media industry,” said Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, the chairman of the summit and of the Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority.