The inaugural KT+150 Summit commenced with vibrant energy at Dubai’s Helipad by Frozen Cherry venue, gathering the Emirates’ most promising young visionaries for a day dedicated to ambition and innovation. The event, organized by Khaleej Times, showcases the 150 exceptional changemakers selected across 15 diverse categories including social impact, artificial intelligence, esports, and education.
The morning session featured powerful masterclasses from established content creators and entrepreneurs who shared invaluable insights for career development. Aviation educator Rizwan Taj, who commands over 240,000 Instagram followers, encouraged attendees to trust their instincts: “If you think you have a great idea, just go for it.” He revealed how he initially hesitated before creating aviation education content during the pandemic, ultimately building a substantial digital following.
Content creator Bisher Zumot emphasized the critical importance of mentorship during a panel discussion, noting that proper guidance can significantly accelerate success. “In our business, time is money and anything that can save you time is a good investment,” Zumot advised, reflecting on his own early career missteps.
Entrepreneur Sabelle Beraki, CEO of Belle Dolls, shared her inspiring journey of identifying market gaps in the toy industry. After recognizing the absence of diverse representation in dolls during shopping for her niece, Beraki worked six months as a grocery cashier to fund her initial product line. Her message centered on embracing mistakes as learning opportunities while persistently moving forward.
Motivational speaker Neetu Choudhury provided practical efficiency techniques, revealing that the average person makes approximately 350,000 daily decisions and offering strategies to manage this mental clutter effectively.
The summit features the KT+ Elevator Pitch competition, offering one entrepreneur the opportunity to win Dh250,000 worth of media exposure across Khaleej Times publications. Three finalists will have their pitch videos showcased throughout the event, with the winner announced during the evening proceedings. Notably, one-third of KT+150 list members are either currently operating businesses or preparing to launch startups.
Dubai Founders HQ, a summit sponsor, established a dedicated networking zone to facilitate connections among the emerging entrepreneurs. The event will conclude with an exclusive afterparty featuring the Rolling Stone MENA music festival, continuing the celebrations into the night.