Our World is facing existential crisis due to decades of human exploitation using unsustainable ways. This has led to unimaginable levels of carbon being released into the atmosphere, global warming, deforestation, unavailability of clean water, food wastage, rise in unemployment & much more with some nations suffering earlier than others. But in the recent years, we have started to recognise our wrongs and there has been a global call for sustainable practices to save our planet before it is too late.

Many countries with knowledge-based economies have been quick to adapt, rebound and secure a more resilient and sustainable future for its citizens. There have been with a very high focus on recognising, supporting and enabling sustainable solutions and practices bringforth by young advocates and entrepreneurs working tirelessly to tackle these issues. However, the Middle-East and Africa have seemed to lag behind in such initiatives due to the absence of strong ecosystems nurturing sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship.

Last year, the total inflow to Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) Funds reached reached a record-high of $1Tr AUM in July. For comparison, one in 3$ in the US is now invested under any one of the ESG mandate while MEA region represented:

  • Only 2-5% of the Total Impact-Investment Market
  • Only 1.7% of the Total Investments in combating the Climate Crisis
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    In 2018, Ara Fernezian started the Innovate4Good Initiative in Abu Dhabi to help entrepreneurs and young professionals to become climate actors and change makers by connecting them with the right experts and decision makers for their innovative ideas. Ara is also the Founder & CEO of Stratecis, a purpose driven organization specialized in designing platforms and initiatives for people and corporations passionate about sustainability, climate tech and youth empowerment. It’s goal is to help communities connect, innovate, collaborate and accelerate solutions to our most pressing societal & environmental challenges facing Middle East and Africa.

    The Innovate4Good Platform is an ecosystem powered by AI to help match, connect and foster collaboration between startups, investors, incubators, accelerators, businesses and mentors alike. Innovate4Good aims to become the go-to-marketplace and community for innovative solutions in Climate Tech, Sustainability and Tech for Good fostering growth in the ecosystem primarily in the MEA region.