The MENA digital startup ecosystem bagged $650 million worth funding in 270 deals last year, claimed the organizers of the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2018, citing a joint report by the Dubai SME and ArabNet. Hosted by Tamkeen Bahrain, GEW 2018 has attracted participants from all over the world including representatives from tech giant SAP, global social entrepreneurship organization Ashoka, World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, and many others. Their common agenda is to collaborate on GEW’s global platform and engage social entrepreneurs with action-driven discussions. “Strong turnout at the ChangemakerXchange Talks and Actions shows Middle East entrepreneurs are global leaders in using technology to make a social impact,” said Batoul Husseini, director of Corporate Social Responsibility, SAP Mena.

She added: “By fostering connections, learning, and collaboration, SAP and Ashoka are helping startups to scale, exchange best practices, and foster social change.”

GEW 2018 particularly focused on innovative use of cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning, AI, blockchain, and IoT to drive a new wave of growth in the social entrepreneurship sector worldwide.

In addition to brainstorming on new ways to leverage technology to pave the way for impactful social change, the social entrepreneurs participating in GEW 2018 also used the event to deepen the bond on a human level.