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Global Black Impact Summit to Build Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

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Global Black Impact Summit

Effective leadership skills are at the foundation of successful enterprises, which the upcoming Global Black Impact Summit aims to cultivate through a series of dedicated sessions and technical tracks

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, October 11, 2023/APO Group/ — 

The Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS) (www.GlobalBlackImpact.com) – taking place in Dubai on November 30 – December 1 – serves as the premier platform for championing talent among the global Black business community. While the rate of Black business ownership has increased dramatically post-pandemic – rising by as much as 28% in the U.S., for example – work remains to be done in positioning Black professionals at the forefront of leadership and innovation. Effective leadership skills – which rely on active communication, acute self-awareness and an unwavering commitment to ideas – are recognized as a prerequisite for successful entrepreneurs and an essential building block to creating a strong Black entrepreneurial community.

Under the theme, “Black Excellence: The Untapped Potential to Unite Our Global Community,” the two-day summit focuses on developing effective leadership skills to equip and enable the next generation of Black professionals to become leaders in their fields and cultivate successful relationships within their organizations. Among the event’s core objectives are investing in Black education, innovation and entrepreneurship; promoting equal access to opportunities in society; creating opportunities for Black talent; and stimulating and supporting Black ownership across industries.

In addition to dynamic panel discussions and networking opportunities, GBIS will feature interactive workshops designed to enhance personal and professional skills and facilitate access to valuable learning resources. A strategic session on the first day of the event will explore the latest trends in education, skills development and technical training, highlight the role of education in economic development and wealth creation, and discuss initiatives that focus on improving access to quality education within the Black community.

A key targeted outcome of fostering leadership skills is creating more Black entrepreneurs and business owners

A key targeted outcome of fostering leadership skills is creating more Black entrepreneurs and business owners. During the session, “Building Black Wealth: Exploring the Power and Potential of Black Entrepreneurship,” a panel of entrepreneurs and business leaders will share insights into the strategies and resources needed to succeed in today’s economy, as well as identify barriers faced by Black entrepreneurs to both starting and scaling their businesses, which largely center around a lack of funding and support. Discussions will also explore how to use the power and influence of the existing Black entrepreneurial community to expand its global footprint, educate the public on the power of investing in Black businesses and highlight emerging opportunities for Black small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Lastly, a series of technical sessions on Day 1 will highlight various tracks on empowerment across industries: “Entrepreneurship and Innovation” will examine the journey of successful Black entrepreneurs, host a workshop on scaling successful businesses, and allow aspiring entrepreneurs to directly pitch their ideas. “Leadership and Advocacy” will help participants develop effective leadership skills, provide training in community organizing and activism, and strive to empower youth to become future leaders. With the ability to start your own business being a key precursor to building and retaining wealth, fostering skills that can result in successful entrepreneurs and business owners will be critical to bridging the socioeconomic gap and capitalizing on the untapped potential of the global Black community. 

Join us at Energy Capital & Power’s GBIS 2023 summit, taking place in Dubai from November 30 to December 1, and be a part of this transformative event. To secure your participation at this important, high-level event, register now at www.GlobalBlackImpact.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and Joint-Stock Commercial Bank “Asia Alliance Bank” Strengthen Partnership 

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Islamic Corporation

Asia Alliance Bank has been a trusted partner of ICD since 2013 and has previously received three line-of-financing facilities totaling USD 30 million

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, March 6, 2025/APO Group/ —

  • The Fourth Line: ICD and Asia Alliance Bank announce a USD 25 million Islamic line of financing facility to bolster Uzbekistan’s private sector development.
  • Empowering Entrepreneurs: The new facility is designed to accelerate SME growth and foster economic development in Uzbekistan.
  • Strengthened Collaboration: This initiative reaffirms the long-standing partnership between ICD and Asia Alliance Bank, aligning with ICD’s mission to support private sector growth.

The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) (https://ICD-PS.org) and Joint-Stock Commercial Bank “Asia Alliance Bank” have taken a significant step to enhance Uzbekistan’s private sector development. A USD 25 million Islamic line of financing facility has been signed, marking a milestone in their collaborative efforts to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the broader economic landscape.

This new financing facility, channeled through Asia Alliance Bank, is dedicated to empowering private sector projects in Uzbekistan. It aims to provide entrepreneurs with vital financial resources to launch and expand their ventures, thereby driving sustainable economic growth and contributing to the nation’s economic resilience.

Asia Alliance Bank has been a trusted partner of ICD since 2013 and has previously received three line-of-financing facilities totaling USD 30 million. The newly proposed facility highlights the strength of their enduring partnership and underscores a shared commitment to fostering private sector development in Uzbekistan.

This initiative is closely aligned with ICD’s Private Sector Development Strategy, which focuses on enabling economic dynamism and resilience by empowering SMEs and advancing financial inclusion.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).

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Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech Announces Three Finalists Competing for US $1 Million Grand Prize

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Milken-Motsepe Prize

The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech, supports the use of cutting-edge technologies to increase access to capital and financial services for underserved entrepreneurs worldwide

By supporting these pioneering teams, we aim to empower entrepreneurs who drive economic growth and opportunities in their communities

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 6, 2025/APO Group/ –The Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation are pleased to announce the three teams advancing to the final round of the Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech (https://MilkenMotsepePrize.org/). These innovators are competing for the prestigious US$1 million Grand Prize. The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech aims to recognise groundbreaking solutions for expanding financial inclusion for small businesses in emerging and frontier markets.

The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech, supports the use of cutting-edge technologies to increase access to capital and financial services for underserved entrepreneurs worldwide. The three finalist teams were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants and will now have the opportunity to attend the Milken Institute’s 2025 Global Conference in Los Angeles, California, in May, where the Grand Prize winner will be announced.

Finalist Teams: 

  • Chumz, Kenya (https://apo-opa.co/3DmBdD4)
    Chumz is a gamified savings product that leverages behavioural psychology to help individuals save money in an engaging and cost-effective manner.
  • Oze, Ghana (https://apo-opa.co/3XvWFMF)
    Oze is a digital lending platform bridging Africa’s credit gap by providing banks with an SME-focused app that digitises financial data, enabling better risk assessment and improved lending opportunities for small businesses.
  • Verto, United Kingdom (https://apo-opa.co/4ilCutv)
    Verto is a business-to-business cross-border payments platform designed for businesses in emerging markets. Its unified network eliminates intermediary fees, supports 49 currencies, and facilitates faster transaction settlements.

Emily Musil, Managing Director at the Milken Institute, emphasised the significance of the competition in fostering financial inclusion, saying: “By supporting these pioneering teams, we aim to empower entrepreneurs who drive economic growth and opportunities in their communities. The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech highlights the power of innovation to address financial challenges in emerging markets, and we are excited to see these finalists bring their groundbreaking solutions to life.”

The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech launched in May 2024 at the Milken Institute Global Conference to award innovative companies that best demonstrate the use of cutting-edge technologies to expand access to capital and financial services for small businesses in emerging and frontier markets. The Grand Prize winner will be selected based on the impact, scalability, and sustainability of their solutions.

The Milken-Motsepe Prize in FinTech offers $2 million in total prizes, including the $1 million Grand Prize. Beyond the financial award, finalist teams benefit from invaluable networking and pitching opportunities, helping them accelerate the implementation of their solutions in high-impact markets.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Milken-Motsepe Innovation Prize Program.

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iSON Xperiences and Aistra Announce Strategic Partnership to Drive Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Customer Experience (CX) Transformation

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iSON Xperiences

The global collaboration aims to revolutionize customer experience through AI-led automation, predictive analytics, and next-generation digital solutions

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 6, 2025/APO Group/ —iSON Xperiences (www.iSONXperiences.com), a global leader in AI- driven customer experience (CX) solutions with a presence in 22 countries, has announced a strategic partnership with Aistra, an AI Adoption company, focusing on automation and transformation solutions built around its proprietary AI Agents, MicroApps, and Process Acceleration technologies.

This collaboration will enable iSON Xperiences to leverage Aistra’s advanced AI capabilities to accelerate digital transformation initiatives for their clients worldwide. The partnership spans multiple industries, including Telecom, BFSI, Fintech, Retail, E-commerce, Travel, Consumer Services, and Energy, among others.

Key Focus Areas of the Partnership: 

Partnering with Aistra allows us to accelerate AI adoption and unlock new value for businesses by enhancing customer interactions and operational efficiency

  • AI-driven automation to enhance customer interactions and engagement
  • Advanced predictive analytics for data-driven decision-making
  • Seamless AI integration across industry-specific solutions

“At iSON Xperiences, we are committed to redefining customer experience through innovation,” said Vitul Kwatra, CEO, iSON Xperiences. “Partnering with Aistra allows us to accelerate AI adoption and unlock new value for businesses by enhancing customer interactions and operational efficiency.” 

With its deep expertise in AI, automation, and digital intelligence, Aistra will collaborate with iSON Xperiences to develop AI-driven solutions that elevate customer engagement, reduce service friction, drive business growth, and enhance digital maturity to ensure long-term competitiveness.

“This partnership represents a significant step forward in AI-led CX transformation,” said Eric Selvadurai, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Aistra. “By combining our AI capabilities with iSON’s extensive client base and industry expertise, we are setting new benchmarks for AI-led and data-driven customer experiences.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of iSON Xperiences.

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