AGENDA
* Only VIP, Guest, Speaker, Press, Investor ticket holders can enter the VIP Connect Event
Al Habtoor Palace
Registration & Welcoming
18:30 - 19:00
Al Habtoor Palace
Opening Remarks
19:00 - 19:15
Orxan Isayev
Vice President | WORLDEF
Al Habtoor Palace
Welcome Note
19:15 - 19:25
Omar Nart
CEO | WORLDEF
Al Habtoor Palace
Welcome Note
19:25 - 19:35
Dubai CommerCity
19:35 - 20:00
COFFEE BREAK
Al Habtoor Palace
Speed Networking
20:00 - 22:00
Orxan Isayev
Vice President | WORLDEF
Al Habtoor Palace
Closing Ceremony
22:00 - 22:15
Orxan Isayev
Vice President | WORLDEF
* Only VIP, Guest, Speaker, Executive, Press, Investor ticket holders can enter the Future Commerce Stage
Future Commerce Stage
Registration & Networking
09:00 - 10:00
Future Commerce Stage
Welcome by Master of Ceremony
10:00 - 10:05
Shereen Mitwali
Master of Ceremony
Future Commerce Stage
Opening Remarks
10:05 - 10:10
Omar Nart
CEO | WORLDEF
Future Commerce Stage
Welcome Note
10:10 - 10:15
H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi
Minister of Foreign Trade
Future Commerce Stage
Welcome Note
10:15 - 10:20
By a Protocol Speaker
Future Commerce Stage
Welcome Note
10:20 - 10:25
Aizhan Bizhanova
First Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Future Commerce Stage
Welcome Note
10:25 - 10:30
H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni
Executive Chairman | DIEZ Authority
Future Commerce Stage
Dubai: The Startup Capital of the World
10:30 - 10:50
By a Protocol Speaker
Future Commerce Stage
Welcome Note
10:50 - 10:55
H. E. Orxan Məmmədov
Chairman | Azerbaijan KOBIA
10:55 - 11:15
COFFEE BREAK
Future Commerce Stage
Shaping the New Trade Order: EU–World Bank–UNCTAD Dialogue on Digital Commerce in the UAE
11:15 - 11:45
Hasan Alkilany
General Counsel and Senior Legal Advisor | UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism
Lucie Berger
EU Ambassador to the UAE (TBC)
Iva Hamel
WORLD BANK UAE Representative (TBC)
Future Commerce Stage
Dubai Commercity: Integrating E-Commerce, Logistics and Global Trade
11:45 - 12:05
Mitch Bittermann
SVP Commercial | Dubai CommerCity
Future Commerce Stage
The Future of Logistics: Delivering Speed and Sustainability Across Borders
12:05 - 12:25
Alastair Croker
CEO | Tradeling Group
Future Commerce Stage
Retail Modernization in GCC: Bridging Tradition with Digital Innovation
12:25 - 12:55
MODERATOR
Orxan Isayev
Vice President | WORLDEF
Vishal Kapil
CTO | Mair Group
Marcin Pawel Piekarczyk
Director, Digital & Technology | Grandiose
Anass Boumediene
Co-Founder & Co-CEO | Eyewa
Future Commerce Stage
Empowering Digital Growth: Early-Stage Investment Opportunities in MENA
12:55 - 13:15
Cem Ötkün
Co-Founder & CEO | Bounce Watch
Amal Dokhan
Managing Partner | 500 Global
13:15 - 13:45
LUNCH BREAK
Future Commerce Stage
The 10-Minute Economy: Can Quick Commerce Stay Profitable?
13:45 - 14:05
MODERATOR
Shereen Mitwali
Master of Ceremony
Faraz Khalid
CEO | Noon
Future Commerce Stage
From Clicks to Customs: Frictionless Cross-Border Trade in a Digital World
14:05 - 14:35
MODERATOR
Rengin Alan Gültekin
Communication Strategist | Kamenta Business Consulting
Hazal Maraş
CEO | OzonGlobal
Vidmay Naini
General Manager | eBay
Miquel Pancorbo
COO | Desertcart.ae
Future Commerce Stage
The Future of Logistics: Delivering Speed and Sustainability Across Borders
14:35 - 15:05
Enes Yılmaz
CEO | Widect (TBC)
Future Commerce Stage
The Future of E-Commerce in the GCC: Trends, Innovation, and Growth Drivers
15:05 - 15:25
MODERATOR
Shereen Mitwali
Master of Ceremony
Massimiliano Spalazzi
CEO | Mumzworld
Future Commerce Stage
Balancing Speed and Security: The Future of Digital Payment Solutions
15:25 - 15:45
Bremer Pauw
Chief Commercial Officer | DHL
Florence Bulté
Chalhoub Group (TBC)
Future Commerce Stage
Scaling on Shopify: Building Global E-Commerce Brand
15:45 - 16:15
Ferhat Cengiz
Managing Partner | Holly Palm
Future Commerce Stage
E-Commerce 2030: Technology, Consumer Shifts, and the Road Ahead for Global Marketplaces
16:15 - 16:35
MODERATOR
Rengin Alan Gültekin
Communication Strategist | Kamenta Business Consulting
Nilhan Onal Gökçetekin
CEO | Hepsiburada
Investment Stage
Registration Opens
10:30 - 11:30
Investment Stage
MENA Tech Unfiltered: Progress, Pitfalls, and the Road Ahead
11:30 - 12:15
Investment Stage
Comparing the notes: Regional vs. International expansion playbook
12:15 - 13:00
13:00 - 14:00
LUNCH BREAK
Investment Stage
Fireside Chat with a Featured Guest (TBA)
14:00 - 14:45
Investment Stage
AI’s next bet: where MENA VCs are placing chips
14:45 - 15:15
Investment Stage
What’s Next for IPOs and Exits: Navigating 2026 and Beyond
15:15 - 15:45
Investment Stage
How Today’s MENA LPs are thinking about venture
15:45 - 16:15
Investment Stage
Venture Debt in MENA's VC Stack: Where It Works - and Where It Doesn't
16:15 - 16:45
Investment Stage
Oraseya Capital Mixer
Location: To be announced soon!
17:30-19:30
Case Study Stage
The Marketplace Mindset: Winning Where Everyone’s Selling the Same Thing
11:00 - 11:30
Asha Bhalsod
Director, Etopia Consultancy / Co-Founder – Women in Amazon Business | Etopia Consultancy / Women in Amazon Business
Carina Dawn McLeod
CEO | Ecommerce Nurse Limited
Case Study Stage
Clicks, Carts and Commercial Sense: Turning Ad Spend Into Real Profit
11:30 - 12:00
Hannah Hughes
Commercial Director, Etopia Consultancy / Etopia Consultancy / Women in Amazon Business
Neha Bhuchar
CEO | Atom11
Sophie Down
Account Director | BASE
Case Study Stage
New Market Development : Extending Beyond Your Market
12:00 - 12:30
Case Study Stage
Work With & What’s Next: The Reality of Being a Woman in E-Commerce
12:30 - 13:00
Hallane Hill
Founder | Running Point Recruitment
13:00 - 13:30
LUNCH BREAK
Case Study Stage
Fast, Reliable, Scalable: Logistics Success Stories in E-Commerce
13:30 - 14:00
MODERATOR
Robert Indries
Chairman | Robert Indries Holdings
Case Study Stage
Success Stories: Enabling Seamless E-Commerce Transactions
14:00 - 14:30
MODERATOR
Burak Yalım
Maryam Allouz
Owner & CEO | My Home Closet
Jad Al Fakhani
Chief Executive Officer | Beycom LLC
Case Study Stage
Vendor Central (1P) 2026 Playbook: Scaling Profitably in a Changing Marketplace
14:30 - 15:00
MODERATOR
Martin Heubel
Director & Founder | Consulterce Ltd
Paul Sonneveld
Co-founder & CEO | Merchantspring
Asha Bhalsod
Director, Etopia Consultancy / Co-Founder – Women in Amazon Business | Etopia Consultancy / Women in Amazon Business
Carina Dawn McLeod
CEO | Ecommerce Nurse Limited
Case Study Stage
How to Protect and Grow Your Profit Margins on Vendor Central in 2026 and Beyond
15:00 - 15:30
MODERATOR
Bruno Ferreira
Founder | BlueDot Ecommerce
Martin Heubel
Director & Founder | Consulterce Ltd
Vincenzo Toscano
Founder & CEO | Ecomcy
Christopher Khoo
Co-Founder | KhooCommerce
Case Study Stage
AI, ERP & E-Commerce: Integrating Efficiency into Business Operations
15:30 - 16:00
* Only VIP, Guest, Executive, Speaker, Press, Investor ticket holders can enter the Future Commerce Stage
Future Commerce Stage
Welcome by Master of Ceremony
09:30 - 09:35
Flo Akinbiyi
Master of Ceremony
Future Commerce Stage
Green is the New Growth: The Sustainability Imperative in Digital Commerce
09:35 - 09:55
Future Commerce Stage
From Paper to Platforms: How Automation, AI, and Data Are Redefining Customs Operations
09:55 - 10:25
Abdulrahman Shahin
Nabeel Alkharabsheh
General Manager | Zajel
Future Commerce Stage
Recommerce and Retail Circularity: Tech-Driven Paths to Sustainability
10:25 - 10:45
10:45 - 11:00
COFFEE BREAK
Future Commerce Stage
The Future of Cashless: Trends in Digital Payments
11:00 - 11:30
Otto Abasi Williams
SVP, PayPal World, Regional Head and GM Middle East and Africa | PayPal
Sumit Arora
CEO, Middle East | WorldFirst
Future Commerce Stage
Commerce Without Borders: The Next Decade of Digital Trade
11:30 - 11:50
MODERATOR
Rengin Gültekin
Communication Strategist | Kamenta Business Consulting
Ozan Acar
Head of Global Affairs | Trendyol
Future Commerce Stage
The Rise of Conversational Commerce 2.0: Shopping Inside ChatGPT
11:50 - 12:20
Prakash Gurumurthy
VTEX
Kate Kamarchuk
Client Solutions Director | ai71
12:20 - 13:30
PRAYER TIME
Future Commerce Stage
Entrepreneurial Branding: How Founders Shape the Future of Marketing?
13:30 - 13:45
Mohamed Nagia
Founder | The Mayor
Future Commerce Stage
Smart Stores and Phygital Retail: The Blended Shopping Experience
13:45 - 14:15
Sabrina Sadiq
CEO | Luxury Promise
Vivek Rajukumar
Chief Executive Officer I 6th Street
Future Commerce Stage
Ethics, Accuracy, and Algorithms: Can We Trust AI in Commerce?
14:15 - 14:35
MODERATOR
Nil Büyükşahin
Founder | Catalyst People Partners
Mohammad Zayed
VP of Growth & Ecosystems | Arabic.AI
Future Commerce Stage
The Attention Economy: Winning Mindshare in a World of Scrolls and Swipes
14:35 - 14:55
MODERATOR
Flo Akinbiyi
Master of Ceremony
Anna Germanos
Group Director FMCG, Luxury, Retail & E-commerce (MENA) I Meta
Future Commerce Stage
Connected Retail: Blurring the Lines Between Online and Offline
14:55 - 15:25
MODERATOR
Moris Kastro
Managing Partner | Inveon
Aurelien Cuellar
Director of Business Solutions | Chalhoub Group
Sachin Kumar
Head of Ecommerce, Toys R Us | GToys R Us, Al Futtaim Group
Dharmendra Mehta
Managing Director MEA | Fynd
Future Commerce Stage
The Next Chapter of E-Commerce in the GCC: Speed, Scale, and Expectations
15:25 - 15:45
SOON
Future Commerce Stage
The Future of HR in E-Commerce: Building Talent-Driven Growth in the Digital Economy
15:45 - 16:15
MODERATOR
Nil Büyükşahin
Founder | Catalyst People Partners
Damian Brown
Vice President of Talent Acquisition | Chalhoub Group
Future Commerce Stage
The Founder Code: What Defines the Entrepreneurs Who Build the Future
16:15 - 16:30
SOON
Future Commerce Stage
Closing Ceremony: Note of Thanks
16:30 - 16:35
Investment Stage
Registration & Breakfast
09:00 - 10:00
Investment Stage
Startup competition finals (10 participants)
10:00 - 11:00
Investment Stage
Fireside chat: Pivot, fundraising, and expanding. Interview with a Series-B founder
11:00 - 11:30
Investment Stage
11:30 - 12:30
Investment Stage
Award Ceremony
12:30 - 13:00
13:00 - 14:00
LUNCH BREAK
Investment Stage
14:00 - 17:00
VC workshops
-The Fund Journey Map: navigating a full 15-year fund journey
-LP fundraising: the good, the bad, and the ugly
-Portfolio construction: sketch & financial model
-Post-investment value creation: how do you actually “add value”?
-Portfolio outcome: from investing to returning back $$$ to your LPs
-Exits, liquidity strategy & value realization: how to do it better
Investment Stage
Event closing
17:00
Case Study Stage
E-Commerce Without AI: Is That Still an Option?
11:00 - 11:30
Shahid Hussain
Founder & CEO | Green Proposition Consulting
Robert Indries
Chairman | Robert Indries Holdings
Case Study Stage
Performance Marketing in 2026: What’s Still Working, What’s Not?
11:30 - 12:00
Muneer Al Wafaa
Founder & CEO | Al Wafaa Group / Daidu.ai
Rihab Sebaaly
CEO | Brandee by Rihab
Case Study Stage
Cross-Border Selling via Marketplaces: Opportunities and Risks
12:00 - 12:30
MODERATOR
Rihab Sebaaly
CEO | Brandee by Rihab
Vanessa Hung
CEO | Online Seller Solutions
Case Study Stage
Cross-Border Payments and Fintech Innovations: How to Simplify Global Transactions
12:30 - 13:00
MODERATOR
Rihab Sebaaly
CEO | Brandee by Rihab
Youssef Ghechi
Commercial Manager B2B - Middle East & North Africa | Payoneer
13:00 - 13:30
LUNCH BREAK
Case Study Stage
Breaking Borders: Brands That Successfully Expanded Globally
13:30 - 14:00
MODERATOR
Rihab Sebaaly
CEO | Brandee by Rihab
Diego Santana
CEO | E-Commerce Rocket
Rebecca Griffiths
CEO & Founder | Primis
Klaidas Siuipys
Founder&CEO | AMZ Bees
Case Study Stage
AI in Action: Success Stories from Predictive Analytics to Personalization
14:00 - 14:30
MODERATOR
Rihab Sebaaly
CEO | Brandee by Rihab
Hisham Dakkak
Head of AI-Driven Commercial Growth at Likecard | LikeCard
Uvika Sharma
Founder & Managing Partner | INTLDA
Case Study Stage
Influencer Marketing in Action: How to Manage Influencer Marketing Campaign for E-Commerce?
14:30 - 15:00
MODERATOR
Rihab Sebaaly
CEO | Brandee by Rihab
Mo Khaldi
Creator Economy Expert | VyV Live
Case Study Stage
