The sponsor of the TechCONNECT, Jeeran.com, started the event with a welcome speech and few interesting announcements regarding the investment they have recently received from Accelerators Technology Holdings (ATH) and the partnership agreement and support offered to Talsim.com.

I enjoy organizing such networking events, since networking considered as the 3rd most important entrepreneurial competency for successful entrepreneurs (after "risk taking"& "opportunity seeking"). My memory drives me back to the networking evening we've conducted last April gathering participants of Queen Rania National Entrepreneurship Competition (QRNEC) along with their mentors, trainers, international jury members (from MIT, Cambridge & others) and the DART team (The student Entrepreneurship Society)

Simply, TechCONNECT is a networking evening that is designed to be an invaluable opportunity for building and expanding professional networks, and gather business experts, technology startups and venture capitalists in one place; they need not to sign any deals on the spot but it would -definitely- help in breaking the ice and opening the door for tremendous opportunities in the future.

Ray Milhim is the GM/VP of Motorola. I found him so kind, humble and down-to-earth up to a level that is not expected from a person in his position. It is really impressive to know that he was a past president of the IEEE computer Society -the largest society in the IEEE :).

Jawad Abbassi -the GM of Arab Advisors Group - is one of the seasoned mentors of the Queen Rania National Entrepreneurship Competition (QRNEC). We've met for the first time during the Jordan Telecom award ceremony in 2004, when Arab Advisors Group was recognized as the champion.

Ahmad Humeid, the CEO of syntax and one of the best technology reviewers in the Jordanian blogosphere. I recall when I've met him during the ICT forum last Dec. when he was spreading the word about Ikbis -the first photo and video sharing service in the Arab World.

Emile Cubeisy, the VP-Business Development of Accelerators Technology Holdings (ATH). I proudly quote him saying: "Winners of the Queen Rania National Entrepreneurship Competition (QRNEC), during the first two years, is really considered valuable investment opportunities and up-to our expectations. Thus, we look forward to investing in the winners of the 3rd year."

Samer Chidiac, from Microsoft, has introduced interesting initiatives and plans for Microsoft to support university students and faculty members in Jordanian universities.

Wael Attili -the chief designer of toot- was also there :) I was a pleasure meeting his good self in person. His blog and artwork is really worth looking at.

Kamel Al-Asmar introduced me to the Akhtaboot team, to whom I expressed my admiration of the concept behind their business (recruitment through networking).

Osama Alshurafa from QASID, Sami Al-Taher from mecca.com, and Jordan Robinson from Islamica Magazine were also there and it was nice to know about their progress in Jordan.