Innovation Works
A catalyst for growth and innovation in MEA
Accelerating innovation and entrepreneurship is critical for economic growth and youth employment in the MEA region. Supported by a friendly business environment, resources & networks, the UAE has created a burgeoning startup scene enabling innovation and employment in recent years. Leveraging our team of leading academics researchers, corporate partners and alumni network, Innovation Works probes this rapidly evolving space and offers insights, strategies, and value for individuals, businesses and policy makers looking to unlock innovation, VC investing, external corporate venturing and boost entrepreneurship and scale in the UAE and across the region.
Mission
We build knowledge and a community to support innovation and entrepreneurship in the UAE and across the region.
Vision
We see Innovation Works as a growth catalyst for innovation and startups in the UAE and across the region.
Education
Through workshops, we pilot new executive programmes tailored to the needs of the region. Through the monthly Tech talks series, we share latest academic research & practitioners’ perspectives on current & emerging technologies & their impact for business, management & society locally & regionally.
Content
We develop case studies, research and surveys and deep dive into the specific UAE and regional challenges faced by startups, scaleups and corporate innovation. We disseminate the key learning to the local, regional and global business community through teaching and outreach activities.
Community
We partner with INSEAD faculty, alumni as well as private, public and not for profit regional stakeholders to build and share knowledge and connect talents and expertise.
Impact
In line with our mission, we bring together people, cultures and ideas to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society.
WORKSHOPS
We share INSEAD academic expertise with regional stakeholders. We expand the school’s knowledge on the specific regional problematics to help tailor our upcoming programmes to the specific needs required for building a strong startup ecosytem and innovation in MEA
RESOURCES
Through a series of MEA based case studies and research on startups, scaleups, innovation and digital transformation, we contribute to expand academic knowledge on specific problematics faced by the region. We disseminate the key learning to the local, regional and global business community through teaching and outreach.
Digital transformation of Majid Al Futtaim: test-and-learn approach to instil a data-driven culture in
a leading lifestyle conglomerate in the Middle East (INSEAD case study)
SWVL, Growing a Unicorn in Egypt and beyond (INSEAD case study. Coming soon…)
TECH TALKS
We disseminate academic knowledge and practitioners’ perspectives on new technologies and its implications in MEA for business, management and society. We build a local community and promote discussion on technology and innovation
Fintech, Financial Inclusion and Competition
Distributed Ledger Technologies and Financial Markets
Digital Currencies and Payments
Is AI the silver bullet against COVID 19?
Overcoming COVID 19 together
The Phoenix against the Black Swan
Safety vs Privacy: Do we have to choose?
Leading a data-driven transformation
Startups against Corona
Careem: Selling Rides or Selling Tech? Strategic Agility & Scope in a Platform Business
Superstar Economy
The potential of the data economy in the GCC
The Honeycomb Disruption
Blockchain in the Financial Services
Connecting Startups & Corporations
Will there still be jobs?
AI vs. Human Judgment
Demystifying AI
AI for Business
Strategy in the Age of AI
What’s the big deal with AI, if any?
Start up, Scale up: A Venture Capital focus on MENA
Training with AI, Winning Against Humans
The Future of Digital Money
Strategic Agility & Scope in a Platform Business
COMMUNITY
We build a community of strategic partners to create and deliver content and impact.









