Middle East Entrepreneur Training (MEET)
MEET Overview and Outcomes
MEET Alumni: 365
Participating Countries and Territories:
Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, West Bank/Gaza and Yemen
Jobs created by MEET Alumni since completing the training:
3,537
Businesses created or expanded by MEET Alumni since completing the program:
765, several of which involve partnerships among alumni
Through the U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative, the Entrepreneur Development Program at UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management is implementing an innovative training program designed to identify, develop and sustain a new corps of business and civil society leaders in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Now in its fifth year, the MEET program has trained over 365 of the most promising and talented leaders in the region. Today, these individuals are forming partnerships, starting new ventures, and seeking peer support through offerings such as the MEET Alumni Network website and alumni reunion events held in the MENA region.
The Participants
MEET participants are talented and high-potential entrepreneurs, executives and managers from growth-oriented companies and leaders of civil society organizations who have demonstrated leadership ability in their organizations and communities. They are selected through a competitive application and interview process.
The Training
About 20 to 30 participants are selected to participate in each intensive multi-week MEET training program. Customized programs are offered for CEOs and executives; the information, communication and technology (ICT) sector; the business services sector and for civil society and non-governmental organizations.
Training is led by university faculty as well as entrepreneurs and leaders of successful companies and organizations. MEET graduates form strong bonds with fellow alumni during the training programs, and these relationships grow into supportive peer networks. Additional MEET offerings such as the MEET Alumni Network website and alumni events allow graduates to expand their networks to include alumni in a variety of fields from throughout the region.
The Middle East Partnership Initiative
MEPI is a Presidential initiative to support economic, political, and educational reform efforts and to advocate opportunity for all people in the MENA region. The initiative strives to link Middle Eastern, North African and U.S. businesses, non-governmental organizations, civil society elements and governments together to develop innovative policies and programs.