Workshop | Family Businesses Investing in Start-Ups
In December 2024, the Tharawat Family Business Forum had the pleasure to organise an exclusive 2-day workshop on “Family Business Investing in Start-Ups” held in Muscat and hosted by the Oman Authority for SME Development under the leadership of H.E. Halima bint Rashid Al Zari.
The workshops aimed to empower family business owners with strategic insights and global best practices on venture investing. The discussions centred around the relationship between family businesses and startups, the venture ecosystem, fostering “intrapreneurship” in family enterprises, and exploring the vehicles and governance to facilitate venture investments.
We explored the strengths of family-owned businesses in the venture space, including long-term investment horizons and strong network potentials. Together, we reviewed strategies for family businesses to add value to startups, beyond financial investment, through mentorship, access to networks, and strategic partnerships. A focused discussion with our guest speakers highlighted the concept of a “Family Office” and explored how a family office can effectively manage venture (and other) investments, with an emphasis on governance and strategic planning.
SPEAKERS:
- Abdulla Essa Al Ghurair, Head of Marketing, Board Member, 4th gen. family business member, Essa Al Ghurair Investment, UAE
- Rodrigo Basco, Professor & Sheikh Saoud bin Khalid bin Khalid Al-Qassimi Chair in Family Business at American University of Sharjah, UAE
- Farida El Agamy, General Manager, Tharawat Family Business Forum
- Mai El-Kinawi, Programme Director, Tharawat Family Business Forum
About Oman SME Development Authority
The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority’s mission is to make the SME sector the bedrock of the Omani economic system and an essential component of its sustainable development.
About Tharawat Family Business Forum
The Tharawat Family Business Forum is an independent, membership network dedicated to the sustainability, innovation, and growth of MENA family businesses. The organisation was founded in 2006 by leading family-owned companies from across the Middle East, who shared a vision to build a strong peer community and platform for family businesses. Today, Tharawat plays an instrumental role in developing knowledge and expertise around family businesses in the region and beyond.