FAQ: Arabia Fast Growth 500

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

•   What is the Arabia Fast Growth 500?
•   Why apply?
•   How do I apply?
•   If I am a previous Saudi 100, Jordan 25, Lebanon 25, or Pakistan 25 winner, how do I qualify for the Arabia 500?
•   How are companies ranked?
•   Why do we emphasize fast growth companies?
•   Will my company's growth percentage be high enough to make the Arabia 500?
•   How strong have the applicants been to date and what industries do they represent?
•   My company's revenue growth slowed or declined in the past year. Does that disqualify my business or make
     it unwise to apply?
•   What are the basic criteria for eligibility?
•   What if my company has less than $500,000 in revenues or was established later than 2008?
•   My company is majority or wholly owned by a venture capital firm, a private equity firm, or an investment
    bank. Is it eligible?
•   How does the list define revenue?
•   When is the deadline for submitting an application for the Arabia?
•   Is supporting documentation required?
•   What if my company is public?
•   What if my company is independent but about to be acquired or go public?
•   Does my company have to be profitable to be eligible?
•   Will being recognized on the Arabia 500 reveal information about my company to my
    competitors?
•   Right now, I'm not sure if I want my company to be on the list? Can I apply now and withdraw my application
   later?
•   Who are the partners in the program and what do they do?
•   What is a nominating partner?
•   What if I have more questions that are not listed here?

What is the Arabia Fast Growth 500?

AllWorld has launched the GCC100 and the Arabia500 to bring to world wide attention the growth companies of MENA, Turkey and Pakistan. If you are an entrepreneur with a fast growing non-listed company from anywhere in the region, this is for you. Under the Patronage of Queen Rania of Jordan AllWorld Network and partners the Arabia 500 will be announced December 5, 2011 in Turkey at the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship.

If you are from the GCC, you will get additional attention by also being on the GCC100, sponsored by Arcapita, as well as the Arabia 500.

The winning companies will be ranked according to their revenue growth between 2008 and 2010. The fastest growing company wins the #1 spot. Younger companies established after 2008 can qualify as Start Ups-to-Watch.

Why apply?

Here are five good reasons:

1. YOU CAN EARN A POWERFUL ENDORSEMENT

Making the list distinguishes your company in the eyes of clients, prospects, competitors, investors, the media, your community, and the world at large. Many of the 2009 and 2010 winners from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, India, Pakistan, and South Africa use the recognition on their web site and marketing materials. All winners receive considerable local and international media attention.

2. YOU CAN BOOST EMPLOYEE AND INVESTOR MORALE

Recognition as an Arabia 500 winner is tangible, objective evidence that the hard work of your employees is paying off and that your investors made a good decision.

3. YOU WILL GET TO NETWORK WITH THE BEST

You will be joining a global network of high-growth entrepreneurs and global experts who will help you become a stronger and smarter business leader, and who will open up opportunities for you in other markets. The top 50 winners are invited to attend the AllWorld Leadership Summit at Harvard University with fast-growing companies from around the world. You will also be invited as speaker or guest to important business events representing your country as a top growth entrepreneur.

4. HEAR WHAT APPLICANTS TO THE ARABIA 500 HAVE TO SAY

No one says it better than the applicants themselves - watch video.

5. YOU WILL BE RECOGNIED AT THE ARABIA 500 AWARDS CEREMONY at the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship

All winners will be invited to the Arabia 500 Awards Ceremony and Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship in Istanbul, Turkey on October 3-6, 2011.

How do I apply?

Apply online at www.AllWorldLive.com with three easy steps.

First, download PDF form of the application at our APPLY PAGE to collect your information. With the information handy, application must be submitted online and takes about 20 minutes. You will be asked for information about the history of your company, the type of employees you have, your financing needs, and why you became an entrepreneur.

Second, email your audited statements or a letter from an independent auditor to confirm your revenue numbers - sample audit letter.

Finally, AllWorld will interview you by phone or in person to learn more about your company and to complete the application process.

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If I am a previous Saudi 100, Jordan 25, Lebanon 25, or Pakistan 25 winner, how do I qualify for the Arabia 500?

All you have to do is provide your 2010 financial statements. Based on your 2008 numbers that we should already have, and the 2010 financial statements you submit, we will see if your growth rates are strong enough to qualify you for the Arabia 500. Our team will be in contact with you about any further information.

How are companies ranked?

We rank companies by the percentage growth of their annual revenue (turnover) between 2008 and 2010. We look for companies that have been able to grow at a very fast rate for the years in consideration. Also, each company qualified for the lists must meet international standards of competitive entrepreneurship. We are looking for real companies, with real growth and real success. Companies are ranked on pure performance and the fastest growing company we find will be ranked #1 on the list. We reserve the right to disqualify companies for financial or other reasons.

Why do we emphasize fast growth companies?

Fast growth companies generate new ideas, new business models, and new markets. To sustain high growth rates for a number of years, a company is not replicating best practices, it is creating best practices. Closer to home, fast growth companies rapidly expand their employment base, and because of their growth, offer unparallel opportunities for employee training and advancement.

Will my company's growth percentage be high enough to make the Arabia 500?

This depends on your company's growth percentage in comparison with the rest of the private companies that apply. Remember that the award is based on 3 year growth rate, not one. Thus, if your company has experienced any growth during this period, we encourage you to apply.

How strong have the applicants been to date and what industries do they represent?

We created a report on the first 200 applicants to the Arabia 500 that you can read at Research Reports. These first 200 applicants have grown an average of 60% a year and represent a wide range of industries.

My company's revenue growth slowed or declined in the past year. Does that disqualify my business of make it unwise to apply?

Not at all. We look at your overall growth rate in comparison to the other applicants. Year-to-year declines are accepted and will most likely be common among honorees.

What are the basic criteria for eligibility?

HERE ARE THE QUALIFYING CRITERIA:

Have 10 or more full-time employees in 2010.
Have a minimum 3-year operating history and revenue (USD) of at least $100,000 in 2008 and $500,000 in 2010. Younger and smaller companies with at least $100,000 USD in the last 12 months can qualify for recognition as a Start Ups-To-Watch
Provide audited statements or an audit letter to confirm your company's revenues.

QUALIFYING GROWTH COMPANIES MUST:

Be an independent, private, non listed, for-profit, corporation or partnership, or proprietorship. The company can be an independently incorporated entity owned by a holding company[1].

Have its primary location in the country for which the company is applying to the ranking, but the company can be legally incorporated elsewhere.
The company can be invested in locally or internationally, but must not be 51% or more owned by a publicly traded company or by a government of any country.
Must NOT be a non-profit, holding company, franchise, auto dealership, bank or utility company. Private companies established by any government are NOT eligible. Private companies owned 51% or more by a public company or 51% or more by local government are also NOT eligible.

What if my company has less than $500,000 in revenues or was established later than 2008?

Companies that are not yet three years old or are smaller in size can use the same application to qualify for recognition as a Start Ups-To-Watch. We look for companies that have the characteristics of performance and growth as the fully ranked companies and the AllWorld rankings have many Start Ups-to-Watch.

My company is majority or wholly owned by a venture capital firm, a private equity firm, or an investment bank. Is it eligible?

Yes, as long as none of these are publicly traded or are state-related entities.

How does the list define revenue?

We define revenue as gross operating revenue or turnover, less returns and allowances, before any cost of goods sold. If you do not have a final figure for your 2010 revenue when you apply, you may enter an estimate and give the more precise figure when you submit additional documents.

When is the deadline for submitting an application for the Arabia 500 lists?

The deadline for the Arabia 500 process is 25 October, 2011

Is supporting documentation required?

Yes. To ensure the integrity and credibility of the list, we require that all applicant companies submit audited financial statements or an audit letter for proof and verification for their revenue figures - sample audit letter.

What if my company is public?

Public companies are not eligible for the Arabia 500. However, if a company was privately held and independent up to December 31, 2010, it is still eligible.

What if my company is independent but is about to be acquired or go public?

Your business is eligible as long as it is privately held and independent as of December 31, 2010.

Does my company have to be profitable to be eligible?

No. The lists are solely based on revenue growth, and profitability does not enter into the equation.

Will being recognized on the Arabia 500 reveal information about my company to my competitors?

As a part of the program, we will publish your 2010 revenue range, growth rate, location, industry, number of employees, year founded, and your company's Web address. We will also publish a short profile of your company. Most of this basic company information is already available publicly in one form or another. The other information provided in the CEO Survey will only be reported in aggregate, in other words, your company’s survey results will be combined with those of other companies to preserve the confidentiality of your answers.

Right now, I'm not sure if I want my company to be on the list? Can I apply now and withdraw my application later?

You may withdraw at any time.

Who are the partners in the program and what do they do?

Learn more about our partners at www.allworldlive.com/Arabia500

Who is AllWorld Network?

AllWorld’s mission is to scale all the growth entrepreneurs of the emerging world by 2015, creating 1 million jobs and the largest entrepreneurship system and network in the world. To learn more about AllWorld Network visit our web site www.allworldlive.com

What is a nominating partner?

Nominating Partners are actively involved in building the programs. Each organization participating as a Nominating Partner agrees to nominate at least 10 fast growth companies to the list. The logo of each nominating partner is showcased on our web sites.

To become a Nominating Partner, please contact Deirdre Coyle at dcoylejr@allworldlive.com

What if I have more questions that are not listed here?

If you have further questions, please send an e-mail Dereje Bereta at: dbereta@allworldlive.com

([1]) Cannot be a holding company, but can be owned by a holding company so long as the applicant company is an independent legal and operating entity owned by a holding company, and not an operating division of a holding company.