US Department of Commerce Middle East Trade Mission 2014 - a Startup's Perspective

We read that the Middle East market was exploring Smart Cities as part of their strategic growth and knew our Smart Cities solutions would be a good fit there, but being a small startup technology company from Silicon Valley, we knew we needed assistance to enter the dynamic Middle East market. Being chosen to be a delegate for the 2014 Middle East Infrastructure Trade Mission led by Secretary Penny Pritzker, gave us an opportunity to showcase American innovation, explore a dynamic market and discover opportunities.

Upon arriving in the United Arab Emirates, the digit group was immediately immersed into a journey of discovery that did not stop. Secretary Pritzker and her talented staff created the environment for us to succeed by getting to know what we do, who we wanted to meet and then making it happen. The dynamic “Lightning Rounds” of meetings with decision makers and influencers for Smart City projects was thrilling and effective (including the Dubai World Expo 2020), the keynote speeches engaging and direct while the presentations and Q&A with government agencies and officials brought transparency, frank talk and paths forward for the entire delegation to consider. Both in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the digit group was met with genuine interest and desire by government agencies and private companies, to not only learn what we do, but to immediately engage in pilot projects that showcase our Smart City solutions.

In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, our delegation was treated to clear and frank discussions on government strategy on large scale infrastructure projects and private sector aspirations, including the world’s tallest building, the Kingdom Tower in Jeddah. In fact, the digit group verbally agreed to 3D model the entire Kingdom Tower complex in our gaming engine, Orbi, during the Lightening Round in Riyadh. It was about this time during this mission that the camaraderie between the delegates roared into full swing as opportunities were shared, ideas exchanged and the mission became bigger than itself.

Doha, Qatar was the last stop in our journey that exposed the delegates to the immense infrastructure challenges facing Qatar due its hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the subsequent massive development that must take place. Frank and transparent talks between Qatari government agencies and private companies set up by the Commerce Department and US Embassy in Qatar provided real opportunities and next steps for most of the delegates with projects and programs like the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Our last night in Doha, the delegates discussed in a roundtable their feelings about the mission. We were unanimous in our praise of this mission, from the coordination and execution of the Mission to the quality of the introductions, all of us that participated in this special event have a new found pride in our federal government.