> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://blog.inacademy.eu/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# What really happened at the Arab Innovation Academy 2020
- URL: https://blog.inacademy.eu/kameel-aia-2020/
- Published: 2020-02-06T04:15:13.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-02T11:45:37.000Z
- Author: adina@inacademy.eu
- Tags: AIA, #Migrated-1790941373356, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-10-02 11:43

by [Kameel Vohra](https://kameelvohra.com/?ref=blog.inacademy.eu)\* 

The [Arab Innovation Academy](https://blog.inacademy.eu/aia-is-back-20/) was an intense 10-day course, packed with 150 students from two dozen different countries. All on a crash course to be marketers, business and technology leaders. The course itself taught what it takes to actually run a startup, but it was very clear that the students learnt plenty more from the event. 

Whilst there are lots of off-menu things taught by the mentors, the most important lessons are the ones they gained through their personal journeys over the 10 days – [where the students individually grew and gained real-life insights for themselves](https://blog.inacademy.eu/top-startups-aia-2020/).

Irrespective of the roles they chose there were real-world skills they would rapidly develop. CEO’s acquired the leadership skills to navigate various personalities and team conflicts. CMO’s had to understand what market research & validation means in practice. CBO’s discovered what’s involved in getting customer commitments to go from handshakes to paper. They all (including design and technology officers) got first-hand experience working under industry professionals.

Instead of hearing it from me, here’s a short video with views from the students themselves:

#### [*About Kameel*](https://kameelvohra.com/?ref=blog.inacademy.eu)

Kameel Vohra currently leads Advanced Experience Planning for Dell Displays and Peripherals, where he is responsible for delivering technology strategies for next-generation products. He has launched his own hotel, business centers, distribution companies and fintech businesses. He speaks at events, mentors start-ups, and provides practical guidance on how to start-up, deliver and market killer products.