Issue link: http://endeavor.uberflip.com/i/88132
PART TWO: FROM CHARMING TO IMPORTANT ABRAAJ & ENDEAVOR Abraaj Holdings Founder & Group Chief Executive Officer Arif Naqvi at an Endeavor International Selection Panel in Dubai. 19 Holdings, the largest private equity group in the mena. Soon after, Abraaj executives began attending International Selection Panels and devoting significant time to mentoring Endeavor Entrepreneurs. By year-end 2010, Abraaj and Endeavor had signed a multi-million dollar, multi-layered partnership to accelerate Endeavor's expansion throughout the Middle East. "Abraaj Holdings is fully committed to pro- moting an entrepreneurial eco-system in growth markets and our partnership with Endeavor further validates our concerted efforts in develop- ing and mentoring the next generation of busi- ness leaders," Naqvi explained. "We are delighted to have made a significant impact in enabling Endeavor to establish its operations in the region." Abraaj helped Endeavor set up a regional ENDEAVOR CONTINUES to show tremendous commitment to growth in the Middle East, opening new affiliates and scoping new countries from the Gulf States to North Africa. This rapid expansion would not have been possible without extensive support from prominent regional busi- ness leaders. In 2010, Fadi Ghandour, Endeavor Jordan Founding Board Member and ceo of Middle East shipping giant Aramex, connected Endeavor to Arif Naqvi, Founder and Group ceo of Abraaj hub in Dubai by providing the organization with base funding and connections to business executives throughout the Middle East. From there, Endeavor was able to set up operations in Lebanon, selecting as its first entrepreneur Nada Debs, a high-end furniture designer whose products are sold around the world. In 2012, with introductions from Abraaj and enthusiastic support from key business families in the Kingdom, Endeavor launched an affiliate in Saudi Arabia. "We're very excited to bring PARTNERSHIP SPOTLIGHT ENDEAVOR + Through its partnership with global private equity leader Abraaj Holdings, Endeavor was able to grow its presence in the MENA region by 30 percent, serving an additional 38 entrepreneurs and opening new affiliates in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, and a regional support office in Dubai. Additionally, 23 Abraaj senior executives are mentoring Endeavor Entrepreneurs across the region.