⁠Innovation Rooted in Culture: On Deep Tech, Brain Drain & Impact | ⁠Rama Chakaki

The president of the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), discusses her unique vision for innovation in the Arab world, emphasizing the crucial need to tie technological advancement to our roots, culture, heritage, and fundamental needs. Rama Chakaki shares insights from her career, which is defined by bridging the gap between impact and financial return, and explains QSTP's role as a platform for global innovation, nurturing deep-tech companies in sectors like AI, robotics, and biotech, with a focus on impact. The discussion delves into the pervasive "brain drain" phenomenon, with Chakaki observing a "reverse brain drain" as Arabs return to Doha and the region due to safety, resource availability, and a culture of belonging. She champions a bottom-up approach to innovation and addresses common misconceptions about Arab women in tech, highlighting their high representation in tech degrees and leadership roles. Finally, Chakaki challenges the Silicon Valley "unicorn" model, advocating for a community-built "elephant" model that prioritizes the double or triple bottom line—caring for people, the environment, and financial returns.

Explore Qatar Science and Technology Park 👉 https://qstp.qa/

This episode was produced in collaboration with Qatar Foundation.

 

01:33 Introduction

02:55 Defining Deep Tech

04:08 An Innovative Vision for the Arab Region

07:38 The Communal Education Framework

10:59 The State of Innovation: Green, Yellow, and Red Lights

13:42 Blending Impact and Financial Return

18:57 The Global Phenomenon of Brain Drain

26:43 QSTP's Global Mandate

28:37 Examples of Culturally Rooted Innovation

36:18 The "Elephant" Model and Triple Bottom Line

44:00 The Risk of Free Products and Data

48:15 Misconceptions About Arab Women In Tech

51:26 Advice To Her Younger Self

55:16 Suggested Reading

 

Syrian-American Impact Tech Entrepreneur, Investor and philanthropist, Rama Chakaki is the president of the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP). Prior to her role at QSTP, she was a partner at Transform VC, a Silicon Valley firm enabling 1000 tech founders to impact a billion and make a billion by investing in deep tech with climate and social impact. Rama was instrumental in building the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Middle East. In addition to her corporate roles, Rama runs an edTech nonprofit (VIP.fund) supporting youth impacted by conflict. Rama has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, the Monitor, Arab Women Rising, a Wharton School of Business Publication and The power of presence, a book by Joy Moore.

Connect with Rama Chakaki 👉 

https://instagram.com/rchakaki

Hosted by: 
Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb

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