< Previous30 Vol. 21/13, July-August 2020 Arabian Business shines a light on the all-important SME sector in the region, from success stories and VC news to expert insights Knowledge E unlocks access to education ENTREPRENE UR S OF THE WEEK content packages; they can “develop” skills and build capacity within academia through KnE training programmes and consulting projects, which help universities on their mission to become world-class; and they can “disseminate” or share their findings in the form of journals and conference proceedings through our open access publishing platform. Who then is the customer here? Is it educational institutions, governments, NGOs or individual students? You can say all of the above. We work closely with more than 100 clients worldwide and they include educational institutions and government entities within the research and education sector, and we help to support their continued innovation and development. In terms of individuals, there’s Zendy, a massive online library created to provide individuals from whatever background with affordable access to journals, books, magazines and other content media. Now seems to be the perfect moment for this project. Was the pandemic the spark or an opportunity to quickly scale? I think the need has always been there. The pandemic has only facilitated the understanding that learning and reading are moving digitally to a large extent. Ideally, a blended approach is the optimum solution. But we need to be prepared. Having the right infrastructure and tools has made the difference in how ACCESS TO EDUCATION has perhaps never been in sharper relief. School closures were the first tangible manifestation of COVID19’s impact on the region, and for both parents and children the lockdown served to transform the daily routine of the classroom – and all of the social interaction it contains – into an unimaginable, under- appreciated privilege. Of course, Zoom classes, video tutorials and other online tools have helped to bridge the gap somewhat, but it serves as a useful reminder that the opportunity to learn in a structured environment with high-quality resources shouldn’t be taken lightly. One UAE-based start-up understood this well before COVID19 struck. Knowledge E was founded by Kamran R Kardan to provide support, resources and technology to educational institutions – including the recent launch of digital library solution, Zendy. Its mission is simple: to develop “a more knowledgeable world”. Talk us through Knowledge E – what it does and where the idea came from? The idea was to help unlock the region’s higher education and research potential by proving added-value services, content and expertise. Knowledge E has three core offerings, what we call the three “D”s: discover, develop and disseminate. So, our clients can “discover” the latest research literature through our Zendy digital library solution and tailored Kamran R Kardan One UAE-based entrepreneur is seeking to develop a more knowledgable world with a three-pronged approach – the last of which has just been launchedarabianbusiness.com 31 We are also working on adding a “freemium” model where we can provide free access to some of the content globally. That would be a dream come true. Eventually, it would be great to get support from larger players in the market so that we can expand the user- experience to new heights and explore innovative ways of learning and engaging with literature. And what other services can you offer or develop in the future? Currently, Zendy is working on launching in more countries and adding more publishers to the mix. Since its launch in October 2019 in Jordan, Zendy is now available in five countries: Algeria, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates. We are also working towards adding magazines and summaries, and making content more accessible and applicable to a wider audience to trigger further use. Eventually, we would also like to move our training programmes into the digital world and make them accessible to individuals. There is a lot planned in the pipeline and we have an extensive road map in hand. Talk about the philanthropic arm, which helps build schools around the world. Why was that added? The Knowledge E Foundation was created with the aim of directly impacting people’s lives with a focus on improving the conditions for research and education. The company contributes a fixed proportion of its profits to worthwhile causes where it can make a difference, whether it is building physical schools in places like Africa, offering educational support or providing disaster relief. The foundation idea was actually the first objective written for the company from the onset and has remained an invaluable part of our entity and what we stand for. On a personal level, why does education – and access to education – matter to you? Access to education and life-long learning is at the core of what we stand for. Zendy strives to build a world where individuals can take evidence-based steps towards building a better tomorrow. The need for a discoverable, reliable, and trustworthy source of content is crucial to learning and research – and ultimately a better quality of life. Moving towards “a more knowledgeable world” has been our vision from the onset and we hope we continue to make contributions, small and large, to this vision. q HAVING THE RIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE AND TOOLS HAS MADE THE DIFFERENCE IN HOW WE HAVE NAVIGATED THESE TURBULENT TIMES” we have navigated these turbulent times. How are you funded? The company started off with a small loan to set up shop. I was very fortunate to have the support and trust of clients and partners who immediately collaborated with Knowledge E and helped it lift off the ground without the need for big funding. What’s the revenue model? The B2B services follow a typical revenue model. However, Zendy depends on monthly or annual subscriptions to unlock unlimited access to content – much like Netflix or Amazon Prime but for research literature. Revenues are then shared with content providers on a usage-based sharing model. u Knowledge E has helped build schools in Malawi and Senegal32 Vol. 21/13, July-August 2019 Liquid assets Bombay Borough revels in invention New DIFC eatery brings together a carefully curated selection of India's unique ingredients, spices, and fl avours from across the country There are way too many Indian restaurants in Dubai where the setting is like something out of a Bollywood fi lm: dramatic décor and traditional music all offer a veneer of the authentic only for the food to be, well, anything but. Bombay Borough is as far removed from this as possible. There are no bells and whistle at its DIFC venue, which was originally unveiled in January and has only recently reopened after the COVID19- enforced closure. Its funky art-deco design and upbeat, lively, music, creates the perfect fusion of east meets west. But the restaurant, conveniently located beneath the Capital Club, simply lets its food do the talking. Gogi Shainidze, restaurant fl oor manager, told Arabian Business: “Our customers can expect great food, a great ambiance and amazing service. Our staff are happy, they love what they do. We have a great team.” You can bet everyone in his position promises the same. The difference is, Gogi practises what he preaches. The smells of Indian herbs and spices provide BY GAVIN GIBBON a warm welcome, penetrating the obligatory face mask as we enter the venue. From there, our waiter, Patrick, introduces us to a transnational menu, starting with two mocktails; Ooty Sunset, from the city of Ooty, and a Pink City, which has its roots, as its name would suggest, in Jaipur. When it comes to Indian food, there is a tendency to “go with what you know” – popadums and pickles, South Indian Garlic Chilli Chicken with a naan bread and pilau rice, the usual favourites that satisfy palates from across the world. And arabianbusiness.com 33 they’re invariably great. However, this time I left it in the hands of Patrick. For starters he served up the restaurant’s most popular dish, the chilli cheese kulcha – the restaurant’s take on a Bombay toastie, fi lled with liquid cheese with a strong hit of heat from the green chilli pieces in the mix. It came alongside rajputana murg sooha, in which coarsely ground spices provide rich, aromatic warmth to the succulent pieces of chicken, and a banana-leaf-wrapped seabass served in a Kerala spiced tomato chilli coconut sauce with pounded fennel seeds and curry leaf. For the main courses, we enjoyed Bombay dabba gosht, a dish of lamb marinated in yoghurt, brown onions and green cardamom which is then baked Bombay bohri style and topped with a fried egg and complemented superbly with the addition of a crisp chur chur paratha. Delicious. There was also the classic chicken tikka butter masala, marinated, charcoal-roasted chunks of chicken served in a rich Punjabi makhana sauce, which was creamy without being overly rich. It wasn’t too heavy and meant there was still plenty room for the dessert. Again, on the recommendation of our knowledgeable waiter, we opted for the ras-e-aam, Bengali rasgulla nestled in rich rabdi topped with Gujarati aamras made with alphonso mangoes. Bombay Borough has been brought to Dubai by Charcoal Concepts, a platform for specialist Indian food and beverage concepts that was founded by K Hospitality Corp, one of India's largest hospitality and food service companies, with over 45 years of experience in the restaurant industry. Vivek Raghunath, business head of international operations at Charcoal Concepts, told Arabian Business: “At Bombay Borough, we boost our fl avours as we bring together ingredients that aren't readily available globally; our menu sources bhoot jolokia from the North East, aam papad from Amritsar in the North West, pink salt from the Himalayas in the North, and some unique podi masalas from the South, to name a few from our extensive list of Indian ingredients.” Bombay Borough, Gate Village 3, DIFC, Dubai. +971 4 327 1555 It’s 70 years since Panerai fi rst incorporated Luminor – a self-luminous substance based on tritium – in its timepieces. And the company is celebrating the milestone with a special edition of the Luminor Marina Fibratech. The sleek timepiece, which looks like it was hewn from an Alpine mountainside, features elements of basalt and other mineral fi bres, with the Luminor detailing in a coolly glowing jade. AED60,700. Eschewing the diamonds the brand is most famous for, Messika’s latest collection features the deep red tones of chalcedony, a silica comprised of quartz and moganite. It’s the fi rst time Messika has released jewellery adorned with coloured stones. “For this decidedly playful collection designed to bring good luck, adding color seemed like an obvious choice,” Valé rie Messika said. WATCHES JEWELLERY Panerai Luminor Marina Fibratech Messika Lucky Move collection34 Vol. 21/13, July-August 2020 The UK property hotspots that Gulf buyers are looking to invest in With a declining pound and the UK government’s removal of stamp duty on residential property, Gulf investors are renewing their interest in British real estate in places like these: Britain’s offi cial second city, Birmingham has been one of the UK’s best performing real estate markets for the past fi ve years. And it’s easy to see why. Birmingham’s continued growth has resulted in a supply shortfall of something approaching 100,000 units, meaning rental yields will remain high. Prices are also set to climb 12.5 percent by 2022 according to Knight Frank. Manchester has been a buy-to- let staple for much of the past two decades, and both rental yields and capital returns are set to remain attractive as the city continues to expand. A vibrant media sector attracts young professionals from across the UK and bold developments such as Salford Quays, which will add 1,400 waterfront homes to the city, deliver contemporary lifestyles. Often cited as one of Europe’s fastest-growing cities, Leeds is also Britian’s fi nancial and legal second city, with a burgeoning tech and media scene – underlined by the decision to relocate Channel 4 here in 2019. For investors, yields in the city centre are buoyed by under-supply of rental properties and an ever-present demand from a young, educated workforce. Ilford, Barking and Dagenham might not occupy too many pages in your average tourist guide to Britain’s capital, but these boroughs are becoming very desirable for real estate investors. Close to London’s fi nancial heart, comparatively cheap and with high yields (5.5 percent plus), they’ve also benefi tted from rejuvenation schemes. A key destination in the London commuter belt, Reading is also a key player in UK’s tech scene – and has one of the most educated workforces in the country. Its economy is slated for more growth in the next decade and, allied with a growing university, record low unemployment and affordable property prices, it’s little surprise international real estate investors are diving in. Manchester LeedsEast LondonReadingBirminghamFOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT WWW.COMMERCIALINTERIORDESIGN.COM/cid-AWARDS OR CONTACT ONE OF OUR TEAM TODAy For sponsorship enquiries: Laura Collinder Sales Manager Tel: +971 4 444 3576 Mobile: 971 55 401 1628 Email: laura.collinder@itp.com For NOMINATION enquiries: JANE O'NEILL EDITOR Tel: +971 4 444 3626 Email: jane.oneill@itp.com For event enquiries: daniel Fewtrell Director of Awards & Marketing Tel: +971 4 444 3684 Email: daniel.fewtrell@itp.com For Table sales enquiries: anthony chandran table sales executive Tel: +971 4 444 3685 Email: anthony.chandran@itp.com silver SPONSOR category SPONSORs Social media SPONSOR WEDNESDAY 25th November Good luck to all our nominees! 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