When was the last time you wanted to connect online with the CIO of an MNC to pitch your product, discuss a potential job opportunity or seek investment for an upcoming start up? Were you successful in getting their attention online?
We’ve all heard of LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter and various strategies on how to use these platforms to promote your business; but it’s time to look beyond the usual sites.
AppsArabia, Abu Dhabi - is a newly established hub and investment fund, which promotes and supports mobile app development throughout the Middle East and North Africa. They are funded by twofour54 ibtikar and are based on the twofour54 campus in Abu Dhabi.
Bedaya Center, Qatar -provides a development programs for upcoming entrpreneurs to establish their start ups. It is a center of excellence for entrepreneurs to develop skill and expland their business through networking. It also runs weekly training activities in evenings and weekends so that you can continue to develop your skills.
Biznik – A community of entrepreneurs and small businesses dedicated to helping each other succeed.
Cofoundr – A community for entrepreneurs, programmers, designers, investors, and other individuals involved in starting new ventures. Cofoundr’s goal is to help entrepreneurs build up their companies with its readily available network which, at times, acts as a large support group.
Efactor – An online community and virtual marketplace designed for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. It is the world’s largest entrepreneurial community that provides online and offline resources that every small business owner needs.
Ecademy –A business network for creating contacts and sharing knowledge. It is a membership organization aimed at business professionals. It’s for business owners who want to connect, support and collaborate with peers to produce new ideas.
Focus – A community to meet professionals and post questions and get them answered by industry leaders. It is focused on helping business decision makers and IT professionals using the Q & A model.
JASEzone – A professional community where you can find potential clients and business partners.
Oneleap – An online network community that help you connect with professionals and potential investors. You need to pay a fee, set by the recipient you wish to connect with. 80% of that fee goes to the recipient's favorite charity, The site takes a 20% commission. Interesting monetizing model while they do some charity. The site gives you a guaranteed response as no replies will result in 100% refund.
PerfectBusiness – A network of entrepreneurs, investors and business experts that encourages entrepreneurship and mutual success.
Plaxo – An amazing tool to help you sync your contact across all social networking sites. It unifies all your contact info in a single, smart address book that’s secure in the cloud.
Ryze – A business networking community that allows users to organize themselves by interests, location, and current and past employers.
StartupNation – A community focused on the exchange of ideas between entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners.
Upspring – A social networking site for promoting your business and connecting with professionals.
Viadeo - Is popular amongst European business owners, entrepreneurs and managers in wide range of industries with close to 35 million members globally.
XING – Platform similar to LinkedIn but mostly utilized by the business communities of Chinese and European business network, with more than 7 million members.
Young Entrepreneur – A forum-based site for entrepreneurs and small business owners who are passionate about promoting business for themselves and others.
Ziggs – It is a personalized tool to help you market yourself and build your brand online. Ziggs helps people to be at top visibility in search engines, and network with millions of other professionals. A professional connection portal founded on the principles of professionalism and respect.
The above post is a modified version of an article published in Qatar Today Magazine - April 2012 issue.
