Jan 2019 – Present · 7 yrs 4 mos · United Arab Emirates

• Spade Ventures (formerly Kickstart Ventures) is an angel syndicate that invests primarily in early stage technology startups operating in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan. We use our expertise and network for deal sourcing and due diligence. We democratize investing by empowering each investor to decide how much to invest. Join our syndicate here: https://spade.ventures/invest-with-us/
• Some of our investments:
• Legacy (US): Founded at Harvard in 2019, Legacy is now the largest male fertility clinic in North America with Bain Capital Ventures, Y Combinator, and FirstMark Capital as investors
• HyperPay (KSA): HyperPay is the one-stop-shop regional fintech company providing businesses with an array of integrated payment solutions and financial services
• Baly (Iraq): Baly is the fastest growing ride hailing, food delivery and grocery delivery with more services coming soon. Baly is on track to become Iraq's first super app.
• IDWise (UK): IDWise is the MENA region's most comprehensive and agile Identity & Verification platform working with some of the region's top brands.
• KASO (UAE): Kaso is digitizing the procurement and payment process for HoReCa in the UAE & KSA with more markets launching soon.
• Other investments include: Nomod (UAE), Baraka (UAE), Epicured (US), BlackBox (US), Kraken (US), Robbie (US - exited), Rey (UAE), SafarPass (UAE), Small Pharma (UK) and Virtuleap (Portugal).

Jan 2018 – Present · 8 yrs 4 mos · Dubai, United Arab Emirates

• Performed various advisory roles working directly with founders, partners and C-level executives on digital transformation, creating an entrepreneurial mindset, new product development and e-commerce. Companies include a UAE based private equity firm and a regional family conglomerate.

May 2017 – May 2018 · 1 yr · Dubai, United Arab Emirates

• Kickstart Studio is a technology advisory firm designed to support non-tech entrepreneurs in scoping and building their initial MVPs. After a year in operation, the team was acqui-hired by Huda Beauty, the global beauty influencer who was a client at the time.

Oct 2011 – Jun 2020 · 8 yrs 8 mos · Dubai, United Arab Emirates

• Launched in 2011, Nabbesh.com is the MENA region’s first and largest online marketplace helping businesses find, hire and pay freelancers from the region. In 2020, Nabbesh was sold to Ureed.com, a regional player looking to grow their successful translation and editorial business into a multi-skill online platform.

May 2009 – Mar 2011 · 1 yr 10 mos · Dubai, United Arab Emirates

• Active-M is a venture capital investments and advisory firm. It acts as an incubator to entrepreneurs & guides them in launching their business. Active-M also offers management, financial advisory and consultancy services to early stage companies and small to medium enterprises (SME)

Mar 2006 – Dec 2008 · 2 yrs 9 mos · Dubai, United Arab Emirates

• Dubai Properties, part of the Dubai Holding Group, is a semi-government real estate developer that is behind iconic projects like Business Bay, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Bay Square and more. Companies like Dubai Properties were essential in shaping today's Dubai.

Dec 2003 – Feb 2006 · 2 yrs 2 mos · Dubai, United Arab Emirates

• DaimlerChrysler Financial Services was the captive financial services arm for (currently) Daimler AG and Chrysler Group. The company offered a number of services including, feasibility studies, structured financial products and support for distributors across the region as well as import and export services.