empowerME Entrepreneur Spotlight Series
The Entrepreneur Spotlight Series’ highlights a new generation of entrepreneurs in the Middle East region transforming their economies and communities by building great companies. The series focuses on their entrepreneurial journey from launching their venture to current achievements to shed light on what’s possible through supporting policies and programs to drive entrepreneurship.
Rafik Hariri
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was the quintessential entrepreneur. Hariri’s philanthropy also provided educational opportunities to thousands of young people.
Entrepreneur Of The Month
Bayzat CEO Talal Bayaa
Talal Bayaa, CEO and Co-Founder of Bayzat, is changing the human resource industry with his innovative HR management platform.
liwwa CEO Dennis Ardis
CEO Dennis Ardis is bridging the gap between borrowers and investors with Jordan-based fintech liwwa!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRWKt8_qhDA
Lendo Co-Founders Osama AlRaee & Mohamed Jawabri
Saudi Entrepreneurs Osama AlRaee and Mohamed Jawabri are revolutionizing financing for SMEs through their FinTech startup Lendo!
HALA Co-Founders Esam Alnahdi & Maher Loubieh
Esam Alnahdi and Maher Loubieh are transforming banking for SMEs through their Saudi-based fintech HALA!
Foodics Co-Founder & CEO Ahmad Al-Zaini
Saudi entrepreneur Ahmad Al-Zaini is using technology to revolutionize restaurant management with his company Foodics!
Eon Dental Co-Founder & CEO Qais Sabri
Jordanian entrepreneur Qais Sabri is using technology to offer greater access to customized orthodontic care with Eon Dental!
Floward Founder & CEO Abdulaziz Al Loughani
The flowers and gifts industry in the Middle East and United Kingdom is blooming thanks to Kuwaiti entrepreneur Abdulaziz Al Loughani’s company Floward!
Brimore Founders Mohamed Abdulaziz and Ahmed Sheikha
Entrepreneurs Mohamed Abdulaziz and Ahmed Sheikha have created a social platform to transform e-commerce for small businesses across Egypt.
Sarwa Founders Mark Chahwan, Jad Sayegh, and Nadine Mezher
Entrepreneurs Mark Chahwan, Jad Sayegh, & Nadine Mezher are providing new investment opportunities that were only available to the ultra rich. Sarwa uses technology to bring down costs, simplify the investing experience, and provide the best return possible.
Valeo Founders Nadine Karadag and Sundeep Sahni
Entrepreneurs Nadine Karadag and Sundeep Sahni are the founders of Valeo, an app that uses technology to offer personalized health tracking and coaching. With technology expanding to offer more customized health data for consumers and more people seeking wellbeing support, the future is bright for Valeo.
Niche Arabia Founder Marriam Mossalli
Marriam Mossalli is the founder of Niche Arabia, a luxury communications and marketing agency. Niche Arabia has earned international recognition for elevating the Saudi fashion industry by working with local and international clients to execute community engagement events.
Blossom Accelerator Founder & CEO Emon Shakoor
Emon Shakoor is a neuroscience researcher turned technology entrepreneur and startup advisor. She is founder and CEO of Blossom Accelerator, Saudi Arabia’s first tech-inclusion and female focused accelerator.
Red Sea Farms Co-Founders Ryan Lefers, Mark Tester, and Derya Baran
AgriTech entrepreneurs Ryan Lefers, Mark Tester, and Derya Baran are changing the way food is grown in Saudi Arabia and other water-scarce environments while also taking care of the planet.
Whyise Founder & CEO Reem Khouri
Jordanian entrepreneur Reem Khouri is co-founder and CEO of Whyise. The company uses impact analytics software to give government and private sector clients real-time data analysis to boost their economic, social, and environmental returns.
Tamatem Founder and CEO Hussam Hammo
Jordanian entrepreneur Hussam Hammo and his team at Tamatem are taking mobile gaming in the Middle East to the next level!
Anghami Co-Founders Eddy Maroun and Elie Habib
Lebanese entrepreneurs Eddy Maroun and Elie Habib are revolutionizing audio streaming in the Middle East.
Pure Harvest Co-Founder and CEO Sky Kurtz
Sky Kurtz is tackling food security in the Middle East one farm at a time using technology to build sustainable food supply chains.
homzmart Co-Founder and CEO Mahmoud Ibrahim
Egyptian entrepreneur Mahmoud Ibrahim has built the largest e-commerce platform in the region directly connecting furniture manufacturers with consumers. Learn more about his path to success and his innovative company!
eyewa Co-Founders and Co-CEOs Anass Boumediene and Mehdi Oudghiri
Anass Boumediene and Mehdi Oudghiri lead the largest online eyewear retailer in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Learn more about how they are transforming the eyewear industry with innovative virtual “try on” technology and more by watching the video.
Mumzworld Founder and CEO Nour Mona Ataya
Mona Ataya leads the Middle East’s largest e-commerce platform and community focused on mothers and their needs. Learn more about her path to success and her company’s impact on women’s economic empowerment.
Tarjama Founder and CEO Nour Al Hassan
Tarjama Founder and CEO Nour Al Hassan hails from Jordan, and she started the leading language service provider in the Middle East. Learn more about Nour’s path to success and her company’s impact on women’s economic empowerment with its flexible work policies.
Careem Co-Founder and CEO Mudassir Sheikha
Mudassir Sheikha started Careem in 2012 with the mission to simplify and improve the lives of people in the Middle East. Today, the company is the largest ride-hailing company in the Middle East and operates in more than 100 cities across 13 countries. Careem was acquired by Uber in January 2020 for $3.1 billion, making it the most successful startup in Middle East history and the region’s only “unicorn.”
About empowerME
empowerME is changing the conversation about the Middle East to focus on economic prosperity rather than politics, security, and energy. Watch this short video to learn more about empowerME’s mission, approach, and its unique director, private equity and venture capital veteran Amjad Ahmad.
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