Papa Media Celebrates Two Major Wins at the Entrepreneur Leadership Awards 2025

On December 11, Dubai hosted one of the region’s most respected business events — the
Entrepreneur Middle East Leadership Awards 2025, held at W Dubai – The Palm. The
annual ceremony recognizes entrepreneurs and industry leaders whose work is shaping the
future of business, technology, and investment across the MENA region and beyond.
This year, Papa Media stood out with a remarkable result: two of the agency’s clients and
strategic partners received top awards in key categories, reinforcing the impact of long-term,
strategic PR and media positioning.

Two Awards. Two Leaders. One Strategic Vision

At the 2025 ceremony:
● Faruh Kurbanov, Co-Founder of DIA Holding, was named Real Estate Leader of the
Year, recognizing his contribution to sustainable real estate development and socially
impactful projects across the UAE, Kazakhstan, and Spain.
● Alexander Lozben, Founder of INTERHASH, received the Fintech Leader of the Year
award for his role in building digital infrastructure, advancing sustainable mining, and
developing fintech and blockchain ecosystems in the MENA region and
internationally.
Both leaders have been working closely with Papa Media, which supports them as a
strategic PR partner, managing long-term communications, media positioning, and
international reputation building.

About the Entrepreneur Leadership Awards

The Entrepreneur Middle East Leadership Awards is one of the most influential business
awards in the region, organized by Entrepreneur Middle East, the regional edition of the
global Entrepreneur media brand. The awards honor founders and executives who
demonstrate innovation, measurable impact, and long-term leadership across industries.
The categories Real Estate Leader of the Year and Fintech Leader of the Year are among
the most competitive, reflecting two of the most critical growth sectors in the regional and
global economy.

Faruh Kurbanov: Redefining Real Estate Leadership

Faruh Kurbanov’s recognition highlights the growth and vision behind DIA Holding, a
multi-sector group known for transparent development models and long-term value creation.
Over the past decade, the company has delivered more than 20 residential projects and
major social infrastructure initiatives in Kazakhstan and is now expanding its footprint in the
UAE and Europe.
DIA Holding’s flagship Dubai project, LuzOra Residence on Dubai Islands, reflects a
modern, investor-focused approach that balances premium design with sustainable returns
— a key factor in Kurbanov’s recognition as Real Estate Leader of the Year.

Alexander Lozben: Building the Infrastructure of the Digital Economy

The Fintech Leader of the Year award solidified Alexander Lozben’s status as a key figure in
the global digital economy. Under his leadership, INTERHASH became one of the world’s
leading mining service providers. At the peak of the crypto market, more than 50% of Bitcoin
mined in the Russian Federation came from INTERHASH clients, with the company’s
infrastructure contributing up to 7% of the global Bitcoin network.
Today, Lozben focuses on sustainable mining, Web3, AI + Blockchain solutions, and digital
infrastructure development, working closely with technology parks and government initiatives
across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other markets.

Papa Media: Strategy Over Short-Term Publicity

For Papa Media, these two wins represent more than individual achievements — they are
the result of a consistent, strategic approach to PR and communications. The agency works
with founders and companies to build long-term visibility, align media presence with business
goals, and position leaders at the international level.
Igor Sergeev, Founder and CEO of Papa Media, attended the ceremony and emphasized
the agency’s philosophy:
“We don’t work with one-off publicity. Our focus is on long-term media
strategy that helps leaders communicate their vision, values, and scale in
a meaningful way.”

A Strong Signal for the Year Ahead

Two major awards at the Entrepreneur Leadership Awards 2025 underscore the growing
importance of strategic communications in achieving international recognition. For Papa
Media, the results reaffirm its role as a trusted partner for entrepreneurs shaping the future
of real estate, fintech, and global business.