Le Lézard
Classified in: Environment, Health, Science and technology
Subjects: Event, Award, Contest

Ari Gargir, CEO, RedC Biotech Ltd. Wins $500,000 Prize at the "Aviram Awards ? Tech for Humanity" Competition for Startups Creating Real Benefit for Humanity Alongside Substantial Business in the Middle East and North Africa


The Aviram Family Foundation partnered with Forbes to host the inaugural "Aviram Awards ? Tech for Humanity" event and pitch competition. The culmination of a months-long search for the most promising startups that combines great business with strong impact on humanity from the Middle East and North Africa. At an event in Dubai following a live on-stage pitch competition, Aviram Family Foundation and Forbes awarded the Grand Prize to Ari Gargir, CEO, RedC Biotech Ltd., winning $500,000 as well as mentoring from entrepreneur Ziv Aviram, Founder & President of the Aviram Family Foundation. Additionally, the second-place finisher, Bara Wahbeh, Cofounder & CTO, Akyas Sanitation received $100,000; and the third-place finisher, Saar Safra, CEO, Beewise, received $50,000.

Israel-based RedC Biotech is developing an innovative industrial process to produce Universal Red Blood Cells (RBCs) for life-saving blood transfusions and a unique platform for advanced therapies, addressing an over $20 Billion global market.

The event also included a special virtual conversation with President Bill Clinton.

Aviram Awards ? Tech for Humanity is the first initiative launched by the Aviram Family Foundation, founded by Ziv Aviram, the co-founder of world-changing solutions Mobileye and OrCam ? and his family. Aviram Awards ? Tech for Humanity's mission is to encourage promising entrepreneurs to combine substantial business with real benefit for society which will impact the lives millions.

Judged by world-acclaimed business leaders including Ziv Aviram, Founder & President of the Aviram Family Foundation, Fatima Al Jaber, Member of the Board of Directors of Al Jaber Group, Steven Bertoni, Assistant Managing Editor, Founders, Forbes, Christina Hu, Chief Business Officer, G42 Sports Analytics and Diana Wilde, Cofounder of Aurora50. The competition attracted hundreds of applications from start-ups from across the Middle East and North African region. To qualify, startups were required to be a viable high-tech business with an established concept that positively impacts humanity, less than $5 million in total revenue since inception, and to be based in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates.

This competition will take place annually and is designed to provide a springboard for long-term growth for these entrepreneurs and make their ideas a reality. Following an extensive judging process, during which semi-finalists participated in a virtual event where they received coaching from mentors identified by Forbes and tips on how to hone their pitches, the pool of applicants was narrowed down to five finalists, including:

At the Aviram Awards ? Tech for Humanity Event, which took place in Dubai today, these five finalists were invited to pitch live on-stage to the judging panel and event attendees. During the event's reception, the Aviram Family Foundation and Forbes announced the ultimate winners:

Entrepreneur and businessman Ziv Aviram said: "Proud to announce Ari Gargir, CEO, RedC Biotech Ltd., from Israel, who presented a groundbreaking idea that provides a significant solution to developing a patented revolutionary stem cell cultivation process in bioreactors. The competition was a very exciting journey in which we were exposed to hundreds of startups that combines cutting-edge innovation and technology, with benefit to humanity across the Middle East and North African countries. I am thrilled by the tremendous commitment of the entrepreneurs who have taken ideas, developed them, and have in their power to create a new life reality that will improve the world present and future. I want to thank our partners at Forbes, who have engaged in the project, which will become an annual tradition that celebrates innovation and a commitment to doing good."

"The submissions we received for the Aviram Awards ? Tech for Humanity demonstrate the incredible breadth and potential of entrepreneurs across the Middle East and North Africa," said Steven Bertoni, Assistant Managing Editor, Founders, Forbes. "The winners we selected exemplify the vanguard spirit of the region's next generation of business leaders, and their desire to drive change by formulating solutions for some of society and the environment's biggest challenges. We are delighted to have partnered with the Aviram Family Foundation to spotlight these incredible talents."

During the event, President Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, joined a keynote conversation with Ziv Aviram to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, and thoughts on our ever-changing world. Earlier in the day, attendees at the Aviram Awards ? Tech for Humanity event heard from OTHER expert speakers including Vishal Badiani, Head of Creative Strategy, Snap Inc; Donna Benton, Founder & CEO, The Benton Group; Ambareen Musa, Founder & CEO, Souqalmal.com; Noor Sweid, General Partner, Global Ventures; H.E. Salwa Abdul Aziz Zein, CEO of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al Qazzimi Group of Companies; Reim El Houni, CEO, Ti22 Films & Dubai ON demand and Executive Producer, Studio Expo; and Rita Yahan-Farouz, Singer, Songwriter, Artist. Speakers discussed wide-ranging topics as part of an agenda focused on how technology is helping to solve some of the most pressing issues in the Middle East.

For more information about the Aviram Awards-Tech for Humanity, go to the website here.

About Forbes

Forbes champions success by celebrating those who have made it, and those who aspire to make it. Forbes convenes and curates the most influential leaders and entrepreneurs who are driving change, transforming business, and making a significant impact on the world. The Forbes brand today reaches more than 150 million people worldwide through its trusted journalism, signature LIVE and Forbes Virtual events, custom marketing programs, and 47 licensed local editions in 80 countries. Forbes Media's brand extensions include real estate, education, and financial services license agreements.

Forbes recently announced plans to go public through a business combination with Magnum Opus (NYSE: OPA), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022.

About Aviram Family Foundation

Aviram Family Foundation was established in 2021 by businessman and entrepreneur Ziv Aviram and his family with a sense of duty and commitment to promoting values of community and providing professional, educational, and financial resources for people, ventures, and solutions that have the power to change the day-to-day reality of the citizens of Israel and the Middle East.

The foundation promotes social and community involvement using education for action, mentoring and creating opportunities. The foundation has set itself a goal to harness the experience and tools of the business world and combine technology and entrepreneurship with doing good to fulfill ideas and solutions that will enhance the quality of life in the society and environment.


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