Hosted by Ian Khan, a globally recognised futurist and technology expert, this Future Investment Initiative (FII 2025) interview explores how venture capital is shaping the future of technology in emerging markets. Ian engages with Dr. Bilal Baloch to examine how strategic investment, innovation and global connectivity are driving startup ecosystems in the MENA region and beyond.

Dr. Bilal Baloch is a Partner at Shorooq Partners, the UAE‑based venture firm focused on early‑stage technology investments. Formerly Co‑Founder & Co‑CEO of Enquire AI, he brings deep experience at the intersection of AI, SaaS, fintech and global strategy. Dr. Baloch holds a PhD from the University of Oxford, a master’s from The Fletcher School at Tufts University and a bachelor’s from The London School of Economics.

Ian Khan is a Global Top 30 Futurist and was recently named one of Playboy Germany's "10 People Who Will Shape 2026" — the only futurist on a list alongside Sylvester Stallone, Bad Bunny, and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Ian is the USA Today bestselling author of Undisrupted and host of The Futurist on Amazon Prime Video, where he has conducted over 500 interviews with CEOs, government leaders, and innovators. He created the Future Readiness Score™, a framework used by organizations worldwide to measure preparedness for change. Ian delivers keynotes and workshops for Fortune 500 companies, governments, and global associations. His latest innovation, FutureSHIFTLab LIVE, transforms keynotes into live intelligence events where every attendee receives a custom AI-generated report.

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www.thefuturistkeynotespeaker.com Ians work on Foresight
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