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Founders & Funders

Founders & Funders

Discover the strategies behind building and scaling successful startups, and connect with leading investors and accelerators in the MENA region. Founders and funders will share insights on growth, funding opportunities, and what it takes to thrive in today’s startup ecosystem.




Who Attends?

Entrepreneurs & Founders
  • Early-stage startup founders
  • Scaleup founders
  • Aspiring entrepreneurs
Investors
  • Venture capitalists (VCs)
  • Angel investors
  • Family offices
Ecosystem Builders
  • Accelerators & incubators
  • Corporate innovation leaders
  • Government and NGO representatives
Advisors & Mentors
  • Startup mentors and advisors
  • Industry experts and consultants
 

Funders and Founders Speakers 2025

Hani Murad

Startupbootcamp/Rainmaking

Hani Murad

Startupbootcamp/Rainmaking

Hani Murad, CEO of Rainmaking and Startupbootcamp MENA, is a seasoned leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling businesses. He has driven multimillion-dollar sales pipelines, led market expansions across KSA, UAE, and Jordan, and forged impactful partnerships. As a founder of multiple ventures in hospitality and trade spanning Jordan, UAE, Spain, and the US, Hani combines entrepreneurial expertise with a passion for innovation and economic growth. His leadership has delivered transformative results in health-tech, ERP solutions, and startup ecosystems, positioning him as a key driver of growth and impact in the MENA region.

Naif Alobaidallah

SDM

Naif Alobaidallah

SDM

Naif Alobaidallah is the Co-Founder of SDM, the region’s first health-tech startup leveraging artificial intelligence to tackle the rise of systemic and chronic diseases. With a proven track record of fostering innovation, Naif has led SDM to secure strategic partnerships with prominent entities like the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology ,Saudi Ministry of Health, STC, and many others. Previously, Naif built his expertise over nearly a decade in investment banking and government-led private sector stimulus initiatives in Saudi Arabia and the US. SDM has received global recognition, including being featured by the World Economic Forum for its groundbreaking work in healthcare technology. Under his leadership, SDM was also selected for Google’s inaugural AI First Accelerator program and received the SDAIA AI Ethics badge as one of the region’s early adopters of ethical AI practices. Naif continues to lead the transformation of healthcare through cutting-edge AI solutions.

Clara Armand-Delille

ThirdEyeMedia

Clara Armand-Delille

ThirdEyeMedia

Clara Armand-Delille is a French-American PR professional, founder & MD of ThirdEyeMedia, a global PR agency that helps startups, scaleups and VCs scale their brand during crucial growth stages with hubs in Lisbon, Spain, Italy, UK and more across Europe, the US and Latin America. ThirdEyeMedia’s past and present client portfolio includes Sorare, Celo, Atomico, Wise, Netflix, 500 Startups, EU4UA, EightRoads, 360 Capital, FoodCheri, Juni. With 15+ years of experience in communications strategy in the digital and tech space across multiple markets, Clara has a track record of building startups’, founders’ and VCs’ public profiles through communications campaigns, media announcements and strategic positioning strategies. Clara has previously held Senior Executive Comms positions at Google, Accel and iZettle. She holds an MA from the Institut d’Etudes Politique in Paris, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brown University with a BA in International Relations.

Sion Hau

Plug and Play

Sion Hau

Plug and Play

Sion leads the ventures and investment activities at Plug and Play Abu Dhabi. From direct investments in early stage startups, to technology sourcing for corporate and government partners, Sion has interfaced with entities across the fintech, healthtech and industry 4.0 verticals. She hopes to build a thriving local ecosystem for startups of all stages. Outside of Sion’s day-to-day work, she is a mentor for the Zayed University Partner Challenge Program, as well as an advocate and advisor to female founders through the Women in VC network and Plug and Play’s FoundHer initiative.

Qais Amori

Almosafer (Part of Seera Group)

Qais Amori

Almosafer (Part of Seera Group)

Qais Ammori leads Almosafer’s digital strategy and technological innovation, overseeing digital products, user experience, software engineering, data, AI, and cloud operations. With over 15 years of industry experience, Qais ensures his teams deliver scalable, innovative solutions that enhance customer experiences across Almosafer’s brands. He played a pivotal role in major initiatives, such as developing the ‘STC TV’ platform, now a regional leader. Qais focuses on crafting Almosafer’s digital product roadmap, aligning it with business goals and evolving customer needs. His expertise in solution design, software architecture, and cloud computing, combined with his ability to scale technology teams, drives Almosafer’s success. Qais is committed to fostering innovation, staying ahead of industry trends, and integrating cutting-edge technologies to maintain Almosafer’s competitive edge.

Ambar Amleh

Ibtikar Fund

Ambar Amleh

Ibtikar Fund

Ambar Amleh is Founder and Managing Partner at Palestine’s only venture capital firm, Ibtikar. Ibtikar has two funds under management, its current fund (Ibtikar Fund II) is targeted at USD 30M. Ibtikar fills a critical funding gap faced by Palestinian entrepreneurs between seed and later-stage regional VCs. Portfolio companies include Alma Health, Mashvisor, Coretava, Verity, and Mental. Ambar is a member of the 23rd class of Kauffman Fellows, and was named as one of the “50 Most Influential Women in the Arab World” by CEO Middle East Magazine and “20 Women VCs of MENA” by MENAbytes. Ambar has an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and a Marketing degree from Arizona State University.

Billal Yamak

The Sandbox

Billal Yamak

The Sandbox

As the Head of Growth KSA at The Sandbox, Billal Yamak is an entrepreneur at heart with over 10 years of experience in operations, marketing, and business development. An early adopter of web3 technology, he brings a forward-thinking, innovative mindset to his work. Billal is a passionate leader, known for building brands and high-performing teams in multicultural environments. He spearheads fast-moving industries while achieving brand recognition. At the forefront of The Sandbox’s expansion in KSA & the GCC, Billal leads initiatives to scale their metaverse presence. His expertise lies in developing cutting-edge strategies that resonate across diverse markets, cementing the organization’s status as a leader in the dynamic digital landscape.

Naala Oleynikova

The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum

Naala Oleynikova

The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum

I work at The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, where I oversee strategic partnerships with international tech companies, startups, and venture capital funds. Through collaboration with global tech hubs, founders, and innovation parks, I actively explore opportunities in AI, IoT, spacetech, sustainable tech, and other transformative technologies that can be implemented in Dubai. My work inspires me, as it offers a unique perspective on the groundbreaking innovations shaping the future and changing the world today. Previously, I represented Qatari investors in Eurasia at Qatar Investment and Trade Advisory (under the Embassy of Qatar in Russia), where I worked with QIA, QDB, and QFC, focusing on investments in Eurasian technology companies. My professional journey has fueled my passion for understanding how innovation transforms societies and human life. I am particularly fascinated by the emergence of megatrends that define the future of entire states and nations.

Sabine El Najjar

Silkhaus

Sabine El Najjar

Silkhaus

Sabine El Najjar is the VP of Commercial and MD KSA for Silkhaus, a leading short-term property management company based in the UAE. Prior to Silkhaus, she was MD KSA for Kitopi. Prior to joining the startup ecosystem, Sabine was a management consultant for almost 8 years, with both Mckinsey & Co and Booz & Co

Jawad Chaudhry

Athir

Jawad Chaudhry

Athir

Jawad is an entrepreneur with 18+ years of experience in the field of technology, digital transformation and healthcare innovations. He has served Saudi Airlines, King Abdulaziz University and Saudi Aramco Base Oil Company. And has founded Athir and Mawrid to drive healthcare innovations and to digitalize enterprise resources and interconnect the ecosystem.

Fahad Albassam

Soum

Fahad Albassam

Soum

Fahad Albassam, Co-Founder of Soum and a former consultant at BCG, has successfully scaled Soum, growing the platform to over 5 million users, with 600,000 active monthly users and more than 250 million SAR in sales. Under his leadership, Soum has become one of the fastest-growing retail apps in the region, and his insights into growth and strategy would be incredibly valuable for the audience. He developed and executed unconventional growth tactics that enabled Soum to become the 10th most downloaded e-commerce app in 2023 with minimal marketing budget. Fahad has extensive experience as an entrepreneur, an investor, and an advisor to government entities and large public companies.

Romain Assunção

Antler

Romain Assunção

Antler

Romain is a Partner at Antler, the world’s leading early-stage venture capital firm with a portfolio of over 1,300 investments worldwide. He heads a $60M fund focused on supporting 120+ tech-enabled startups across MENAP. Before joining Antler, Romain served as an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, where he played a pivotal role in developing startup and tech ecosystems for governments throughout the MENAP region.

Mohammad AlRazaz

OTO

Mohammad AlRazaz

OTO

Mohammad AlRazaz is a seasoned entrepreneur and the visionary Co-founder & CEO of OTO, the leading shipping gateway for online businesses and omnichannel brands across the MENA region. At just 22, he launched Jeeny (formerly EasyTaxi) in Saudi Arabia under Rocket Internet, becoming the youngest Country Manager in the global EasyTaxi network. A graduate of MIT’s prestigious Global Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, where he was selected from over 800 applicants, AlRazaz has since founded multiple successful ventures in transportation, e-commerce, logistics, and technology, demonstrating his passion for innovation and transformative leadership.

Hasan Zainal

Arzan VC

Hasan Zainal

Arzan VC

Hasan founded Arzan VC in late 2013 and it grew into one of the most active VCs in the MENA region, having made investments in 45+ startups, including Careem, TruKKer, Mejuri, iKcon and Hala. Prior to Arzan VC, Hasan used to work with Global Investment House in their Private Equity Department, and he was a member of both the transaction and due diligence teams. Hasan also co-founded different businesses and was instrumental in building the right teams to manage the growth prospects of each company. For example, he co-founded Edge Foods, an F&B operator and accelerator, and led its operations for three years. He currently sits on the boards of Al Amanah Holding and BBK Geojit Securities. Hasan earned an MBA from INSEAD and a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University.

Amal Dokhan

500 Global

Amal Dokhan

500 Global

Amal Dokhan is a Managing Partner at 500 Global, a seasoned professional with experience in startup investments, corporate innovation, and consulting in the MENA region. Previous to joining 500 Global, Ms. Dokhan was the Managing Director of Babson Global for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Previously, she was the Manager of Learning and Design at the Entrepreneurship Center at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology where she led the New Ventures Acceleration and Corporate Innovation programs. Prior to that engagement she worked in the KAUST Seed Fund developing marketing and events, while also providing a range of services to startup clients. Ms. Dokhan sits on the board of several organizations such as Wayakit Company, Cranfield University UK, King Abdulaziz University. She contributes to a monthly column at Leaders Magazine on Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and has been a speaker at Davos World Economic Forum, TEDx at Kaust, the Annual Conference of the Islamic Development Bank, among others. Ms. Dokhan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, English Language & Literature from the King AbdulAziz University, and a Masters of Strategic Marketing and Marketing Management from the University of Wollongong.

Hussein Attar

Tech Invest Com

Hussein Attar

Tech Invest Com

Hussein Attar is the CEO of Tech Invest Com, a 1Bn SAR saudi investment firm that invests in MENA-based growth-stage tech startups and private equity investments in technology companies. He founded a tech startup that was selected as one of the top 50 Arab startups by Forbes. He sits on the board of several tech companies and a member of Oqal and Falak angel investment groups. He is also a board member of the Saudi Venture Capital and Private Equity Association.

Hasan Haider

+VC

Hasan Haider

+VC

Hasan Haider is the Founder and Managing Partner of +VC, an early stage venture capital firm focused on investing in tech and tech-enabled startups in MENA and its diaspora. He has over 14 years of experience investing in MENA startups. Hasan was previously Managing Partner, MENA at 500 Startups and led the firm’s growth in the MENA region, turning 500 Startups into the most active VC fund in the MENA region, raising and deploying the 500 Falcons fund, building partnerships and running programs in the region to help build the regional ecosystem. Hasan has invested in around 230 startups in the region over the course of the last 14 years. Prior to 500, Hasan was the co-founder and CEO of Tenmou, the first business angel’s organization in Bahrain and one of the first in the MENA region. Hasan’s work in developing angel investment in emerging markets through Tenmou has been picked up as a Case Study by the World Bank and Harvard and was taught to Entrepreneurship Policy makers at Babson College. Hasan started off his career in finance and investment banking at Sico, before he moved to Tenmou.

Mubariz Siddiqui

Carbon Law

Mubariz Siddiqui

Carbon Law

Mubariz is a seasoned legal expert specializing in tech startups and investors. He’s the founder of Carbon Law and a prominent startup lawyer in Pakistan. With vast experience, he’s advised on over USD 250m in deals for startups, venture capital, and angel investors. Mubariz collaborates with regulators to boost foreign investment and innovation in Pakistan. His work with the State Bank of Pakistan, allowing Pakistani founders to establish foreign holding companies, has been pivotal in driving startup investments in recent years. Mubariz also supports founder education on governance and fundraising through various initiatives.

Omar Al-Shabaan

The Space

Omar Al-Shabaan

The Space

Omar Al-Shabaan is an Entrepreneur, Business Developer, and a consultant with around 20 years of work experience, he is the co-founder and CEO of The Space. He was leading Partnerships at Misk Innovation, a subsidiary of Misk Foundation, as well as serving as a short-term consultant with The World Bank group on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and was an Advisor for the National Digitization Unit. He co-founded The Space, a Saudi company focused on developing and operating coworking spaces, incubators, and accelerators. Omar has worked previously in Nestle, Healthcare Development Holding group, and Tam Development where he contributed in the latest to creating multiple public engagement programs in the Kingdom and regionally. Omar has an MBA from IE business school in Madrid, and an Executive Master in Corporate Communication from the same school.

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