Ecosystem Arabia

“Ecosystem Arabia is a must read for understanding what actually goes into the making of a robust startup and tech ecosystem. It provides a real-life snapshot into such an evolution in the Arab world. It offers valuable insights from leading global experts on this critical and timely universal topic, as well as a blueprint for how nations can more effectively foster innovation and prosperity.”

—KLAUS SCHWAB, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum and Author of The Fourth Industrial Revolution

“Ecosystem Arabia does a remarkable job of enforcing my findings in Startup Communities and providing a well-rounded case study of the Middle East and North Africa region or “MENA.” It’s an invaluable resource to ecosystem participants anywhere.”

—Brad Feld, Co-Founder of Techstars and Foundry Group, and Author of Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City

Ecosystem Arabia captures the perspectives, insights, and ideas of over 100 of the most influential international thought leaders and experts on developing thriving startup and tech ecosystems, as well as some of the most prominent public and private figures in the Arab world. 

Through hundreds of hours of one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders—including global and local leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, incubators, accelerators, service providers, media professionals, educators, policy-makers, and ministers—it distills the key drivers of building a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem anywhere.

Amir Hegazi uses the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as his research laboratory and case study of a thriving ecosystem in the making. His underlying findings, however, can be used in any environment to drive innovation and transformation. Overall, this book provides a principled, well-structured, and practical approach to seeing and navigating such a complex topic using a comprehensive, multi-lens perspective that is unlike common methods. 

Ecosystem Arabia provides a comprehensive blueprint of how communities, cities, and countries can approach nurturing and growing their own new, knowledge-based economies. Whether you’re a global-minded entrepreneur or investor interested in tapping opportunities in MENA; an educator or policy-maker seeking a more holistic understanding of the inner workings of ecosystem development; or an ecosystem builder looking to be more impactful—this book is for you.