2025 Speakers
Said Baaghil
The Brand Scientist
The Baaghil
Turkey
Said Baaghil
The Brand Scientist
The Baaghil
Turkey
Said Baaghil is a globally recognized brand scientist, strategic advisor, and author. With over two decades of experience in brand strategy, he has built a reputation for disrupting conventional thinking and helping both individuals and organizations unlock their true brand potential.
Baaghil is the author of several internationally acclaimed books, including Brand Clarity, The Power of Belonging, and Create Your Space, and is the pioneer behind the BrandClarity OneWord Model — a strategic framework endorsed by leading academics and used by global businesses and visionary entrepreneurs.
His consultancy work spans across continents, but his influence is especially felt in the Middle East, where he has guided major family businesses, private equity firms, and growth-stage companies in reshaping their brand strategy, marketing direction, and business transformation.
Baaghil’s style is unapologetically bold. He doesn’t sugarcoat. He challenges leaders to think deeper, act bolder, and commit to creating real value. His platform now expands into digital knowledge products — enabling access to high-impact insights, frameworks, and tools for the next generation of brand leaders.
Today, Said Baaghil is not just a consultant — he’s a thought leader, a builder of legacy brands, and a fierce advocate for authenticity, strategic depth, and fearless creation.
Fabio Lorenzon
Founder & CEO
SolutioAI
Italy
Fabio Lorenzon
Founder & CEO
SolutioAI
Italy
Fabio Lorenzon is the Managing Partner of Lorenzon Srl, an industrial manufacturing company
with a long-standing legacy, and the Founder & CEO of SolutioAI, a fast-growing startup in the field
of artificial intelligence.
At just 28, Fabio bridges two very different worlds—traditional industry and cutting-edge
technology. After unexpectedly taking over the family business, he led Lorenzon through a phase
of modernization, global expansion, and operational transformation, opening a U.S. branch, a
Saudi branch and redefining the company’s strategy in international markets.
Driven by a passion for innovation and a belief in the power of data, he launched SolutioAI to help
companies make smarter, faster decisions through AI-powered tools and platforms. Fabio is
especially focused on making AI accessible for businesses that are not inherently tech-based,
bridging the gap between vision and execution.
He holds a master’s degree in industrial management engineering from Politecnico di Milano and
has previous experience at Amazon, where he learned operational discipline and data-driven
leadership.
Fabio often speaks about entrepreneurship, leadership at a young age, and the human-centered
use of artificial intelligence. He believes that being young is not a limitation, but a strength,
especially when building companies that challenge the status quo.
Laura Jardine Paterson
Founder
CONCAT Tech
Lebanon
Laura Jardine Paterson
Founder
CONCAT Tech
Lebanon
Paula Tavangar
Chief Investment Officer
Injaz Capital
United Arab Emirates
Paula Tavangar
Chief Investment Officer
Injaz Capital
United Arab Emirates
Paula Tavangar is a seasoned entrepreneur, who currently serves as Chief Investment Officer at Injaz Capital. Prior to that, Paula was focused on venture capital as Principal at SwissBorg Ventures. With a strong background in quantitative strategies, Paula co-founded Genesis Capital LATAM, overseeing the Quant Arbitrage Fund delivering consistent alpha. She also co-founded Wethaq, an Islamic Fintech startup. Paula's diverse expertise led her to serve on the World Business Angels Forum (WBAF) Global Startup Committee and as a commissioner representing WBAF in the UAE. She holds a B.A. in International Finance and an MSc in Financial Engineering with a focus on Automated Trading Systems
Kim Balle
Co-Founder & CEO
Global Startup Awards
Denmark
Kim Balle
Co-Founder & CEO
Global Startup Awards
Denmark
As CEO and Co-founder of XO Group, I have spent over a decade building and connecting innovation ecosystems globally. Our flagship initiative, Global Startup Awards (GSA), is the world’s largest startup ecosystem competition, operating in over 154 countries across 19 regions and all six inhabited continents. We’ve received 820,000+ public votes and 160,000+ nominations, engaging thousands of startups, corporates, governments, and investors. GSA identifies the top tier of each local ecosystem, culminating in a global alumni (former winners, finalists, and expert-juries) network of 10,000+ standout founders and ecosystem leaders across SDG-aligned verticals within green tech, fintech, health tech, inclusive entrepreneurship to name a few, with growing focus on emerging fields like AI. GSA serves as a powerful communications platform that gives voice to underrepresented founders and emerging regions. We have garnered an organic online reach of over 90 million across all of our channels in 2024 alone, significantly amplifying innovation stories on a global scale. GSA has proven highly effective in sourcing top-tier innovation talent and has provided me with strong data and insights into emerging trends, talent dynamics, and founder needs.
Karim Khattar
Co-Founder
Flow48
United Arab Emirates
Karim Khattar
Co-Founder
Flow48
United Arab Emirates
Karim is the Co-founder and Chief Product and Strategy Officer of Flow48. He was previously the CEO of Eqwal, a fintech company in Africa and the GCC, acquired by MojaGroup. His tech experience includes roles as Chief Product Officer at Fetchr and GM of Uber in Saudi Arabia.
Karim was a Vice President at Citibank in New York, Jakarta, and Dubai and worked as a consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton and Delta Partners, advising on tech, telco, and media.
He holds a Master’s in Artificial Neural Networks. Living in Dubai, he has two daughters and enjoys hiking and outdoor activities.
Onyi Anyado
Founder
Onyi Anyado Media House
United Kingdom
Onyi Anyado
Founder
Onyi Anyado Media House
United Kingdom
Selma Ribica
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
First Circle Capital
Morocco
Selma Ribica
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
First Circle Capital
Morocco
Selma Ribica is a Fintech entrepreneur, VC investor and a veteran of the African FinTech industry. Now based out of Casablanca, Selma is managing First Circle Capital, Africa's specialized, fintech focused fund, backed by prominent institutional investors and today counting 15 portfolio companies across 8 African markets. As an early executive at M-Pesa, she was in charge of expansion and product innovation. After that, Selma founded, scaled and sold a FinTech business in London, serving underbanked migrants. Since 2017, Selma has been an active angel in FinTech including names like Qonto, Expensya, THNDR etc. She serves on board of fintech businesses in the region and advises prominent venture capital investors in Africa. INSEAD alumna
Ahmed Kadous
VP Customer Operations PTAB
Unilever
United Arab Emirates
Ahmed Kadous
VP Customer Operations PTAB
Unilever
United Arab Emirates
I began my career working for Unilever as a Management Trainee over 20 years ago, starting my journey in Supply Chain. Upon completing the trainee programme I worked as a Food Production and Project Manager, and then Cheese Factory Manager, where I was able to put into practice all that I had learned in my training. I was responsible for all aspects of production, maintenance, quality, HR, costing and warehousing for Unilever’s cheese business in Egypt.
Having gained all the necessary skills and experience required for higher leadership, I swiftly progressed to Supply Chain Director; where I lead end-to-end supply chain activities for cheese, dry mix and confectionary businesses across the Middle East. I then became a Supply Chain Director for Unilever in the Mashreq region, responsible for end-to-end integrated supply chain in seven countries, with eight factories spanning foods, beverages, personal care, personal wash and home care.
Now in my current role as Supply Chain Director of Unilever Gulf, I am responsible for end-to-end integration for the Gulf region, covering foods, beverages, personal care, personal wash and home care. It is in this position that I have taken on the biggest challenge to date; project managing the creation of Unilever’s Dubai Personal Care Factory - the largest personal care factory in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The factory incorporates world-class technology in achieving sustainable growth and is underpinned by innovation. This is by far one of my proudest achievements and I look forward to carrying out even greater feats as my career continues.
Ahmed Larouz
Founder Climate Launchpad in Morocco
Climate KIC
Netherlands
Ahmed Larouz
Founder Climate Launchpad in Morocco
Climate KIC
Netherlands
Can Atacik
Founder
Alethina Impact Investments
Turkey
Can Atacik
Founder
Alethina Impact Investments
Turkey
Can is founder of Alethina, an impact investment and advisory firm focused on scale poitive business impact on our planet's most pressing problems. His main passion is innovative financial structures and he works with businesses, funds, development finance institutions, governments, and foundations building partnerships, new strategies and promoting the design and use of alternative financing mechanisms.
Can was one of the leads in structuring and managing Turkey's first social impact bond / outcomes based contract, focused on employment of disadvantaged youth in tech jobs.
www.istanbulkodlyor.com
Can is also a frequent writer and speaker on impact investment topics on various platforms and is a firm believer in the use of innovative impact financing structures as the most effective means to create increased "matches" between investors and impact companies, thereby engaging both more investors and entrepreneurs to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and other development needs.
Waleed Alballaa
Managing Partner
Sukna Ventures
Saudi Arabia
Waleed Alballaa
Managing Partner
Sukna Ventures
Saudi Arabia
Waleed A. Alballaa is the Managing Partner of Sukna Ventures. He brings over two decades of hands-on experience at the intersection of technology, business, and venture capital.
Waleed was instrumental in launching multiple investment vehicles and serving on the boards of several prominent technology companies. This holistic experience gives him a firsthand understanding of the capital gaps that can hinder high-growth companies.
An engineer at heart, Waleed cut his teeth in Silicon Valley and beyond—coding and rolling out products across wireless, semiconductors, and enterprise at Microsoft, Cadence Design, Conexant, and Skyworks Solutions over eight years. He spent another 8 years in operator role with the regional tech powerhouse, Elm. He holds a BSc in Computer Science from King Saud University and an MSc in Computer Science from Oregon Health & Science University.
A committed ecosystem player, Waleed co-founded Riyadh Angel Investors, was a founding member in the Saudi VC & PE Association as well as the Saudi Business Analysis Association Group. He also co-hosted Thmanyah’s “Assouq” podcast and actively mentors emerging founders and participates in various flagship events as a speaker.
Waleed is passionate about enabling the next wave of digital innovators across MENA remaining a steadfast optimist for the region's future through their groundbreaking work.
Ahella El Saban
Co-Founder & Vice Chairman
Exits MENA
Egypt
Ahella El Saban
Co-Founder & Vice Chairman
Exits MENA
Egypt
Ahella El Saban is the visionary Co-founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Exits MENA, driving innovation in investment and startup growth across the region. Recognized by *Forbes* in 2025 as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen, her career bridges tech, marketing, and consumer behavior with a transformative impact.
At Exits MENA, Ahella leads efforts to simplify and democratise deal-making for startups and SMEs. Through a unique 'phygital' model—combining offline advisory with an automated digital platform—Exits connects founders with investors and acquirers, positioning itself as a key ally in the MENA region's investment ecosystem. She is also the founder of **Lumas**, a market research and training venture that has delivered digital transformation programs to over 150,000 individuals. Under her leadership, Lumas has partnered with Google, TikTok for Business, Nestlé, and global bodies like the ILO, as well as Egypt’s Ministry of Investment (GAFI), executing over 14 research projects and collaborating with 30+ regional partners.
Previously at Google MENA, Ahella played a pivotal role in shaping digital advertising strategies for brands across various sectors, using her expertise in B2B marketing and consumer insight to guide digital transformation and growth.
An academic at heart, she lectures in consumer behavior and entrepreneurship and is completing her PhD on identity and luxury consumption in the Arab world. Ahella holds an MA from Durham University, a BSc from Loughborough University and BUE, and executive certifications from INSEAD and Google’s CXO Academy.
A passionate mentor, Ahella empowers founders with the tools, mindset, and storytelling needed for investment readiness, making her a sought-after voice in both local and global startup ecosystems.
Magdi Amin
Managing Partner
African Renaissance Ventures
United States
Magdi Amin
Managing Partner
African Renaissance Ventures
United States
With a focus on seed-stage tech ventures in East Africa, our team at African Renaissance Ventures is dedicated to empowering founders who leverage technology to overcome significant challenges. Our investments target sectors critical for development—climate, financial inclusion, agriculture, healthcare, and logistics—where innovation can spur sustainable growth and prosperity while rewarding investors.
As an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins SAIS, I impart real-world insights into the ethical deployment of technology, including AI, shaping the next wave of responsible digital development. My role on the Investment Committee of Co-Develop further extends my commitment to the global advancement of Digital Public Infrastructure, demonstrating my belief in technology as a cornerstone for equitable progress.
I believe in harnessing the power of markets, technology, and investment to sustainably make people's lives better, and that the best opportunities for returns and impact can be found in places other investors overlook. Entrepreneurs with ground-breaking ideas can be constrained by a lack of capital and advice. My partners and I started African Renaissance Partners to back the best of those entrepreneurs. By solving big problems, these innovators create big markets.
I have honed my ability to identify winners and manage risks through decades of experience in emerging markets as an investor, economist, strategist, and turnaround management. I lead with a strong sense of fairness, ethics, innovation, technical integrity, and commitment to a shared vision with clients and partners
Yasmine Nagaty
COO
ElGameya
Egypt
Yasmine Nagaty
COO
ElGameya
Egypt
Yasmine has over 10 years of experience managing teams and programs. She is currently the Chief Operations Officer (COO) at ElGameya, where she oversees the collection, customer service, risk, back office, tech, and product departments, ensuring smooth operations and that customer needs are met.
Before joining ElGameya, Yasmine was the Acceleration Manager at AUC Venture Lab, Egypt's first university-based startup accelerator and a leading program in Africa and the MENA region. There, she worked with over 300 companies, helping them launch and grow their businesses.
This experience gave Yasmine deep insight into Egypt's startup scene and the challenges entrepreneurs face in accessing finance, managing operations, and scaling growth. She also developed a strong understanding of the needs of early-stage startups and how to accelerate their success.
Mohamed Morsy
Country Head - Egypt & Yemen
Finance in Motion
Egypt
Mohamed Morsy
Country Head - Egypt & Yemen
Finance in Motion
Egypt
Abdulrahman Aljiffry
Partner
500 Global
Saudi Arabia
Abdulrahman Aljiffry
Partner
500 Global
Saudi Arabia
Abdulrahman AlJiffry is a Partner at 500 Global, a VC firm with more than $2.2b in AUM with a truly global portfolio of active programs and companies. Abdulrahman is focused on the MENA Accelerator Fund, helping scale MENA most promising startups in a rapidly growing and maturing market.
Additionally, he is an active angel investor with a diverse portfolio of startups across Saudi Arabia and the region. Abdulrahman is a board member of Oqal Angel Investor Network, the first and largest network of angels in KSA. He is is deeply passionate about supporting founders and has delivered countless workshops in 10+ countries in topics ranging from Fundraising & Pitching to Defensibility.
Prior to 500 Global, Abdulrahman headed the Startup Programs at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST). Founding TAQADAM, the largest Accelerator program in the region and Destination DeepTech, a program helping global DeepTech companies soft-land in Saudi Arabia benefit from the ecosystem in MENA.
Through his duties on several boards, Abdulrahman mentors and advises startups in product development, building a company to help commercialize high potential R&D output into promising high growth enterprises.
Ahmed Abdelhamid
Managing Partner
Keheilan Asset Management
Belgium
Ahmed Abdelhamid
Managing Partner
Keheilan Asset Management
Belgium
Ahmed is an experienced hedge fund manager and venture capitalist with expertise in private equity, angel investing, and venture building. He has a solid background in science, engineering, management, corporate governance, startup investment law, and corporate finance. In addition to being an assistant professor, he holds two masters degrees, and several multidisciplinary diplomas.
Currently, Ahmed manages a hedge fund and some venture capital funds while advising on fund structuring projects for government, family offices, portfolio management, and policy advisory. He is well-positioned to provide valuable guidance and support to governments and businesses seeking to grow and succeed.
Ilkay Demirdag
Co-Founder
Energy Shift Forum
Turkey
Ilkay Demirdag
Co-Founder
Energy Shift Forum
Turkey
I am a seasoned Investor, Non-Executive Board Director, and Strategic Adviser with a proven track record across private equity, venture capital, corporate finance, and sustainable investments. With extensive international experience, I have guided multinationals, family offices, investment funds, and conglomerates through complex financial, regulatory, and strategic transformations—always with a clear focus on value creation, impact, and long-term resilience.
Hesham Farouk
Advisor For Technology Development
Ministry of Communication and Information Technology
Egypt
Hesham Farouk
Advisor For Technology Development
Ministry of Communication and Information Technology
Egypt
Paola Cattarin
Director
Zaha Hadid Architects
United Kingdom
Paola Cattarin
Director
Zaha Hadid Architects
United Kingdom
Rafeh Saleh
Founding Partner
Cubit Ventures
Egypt
Rafeh Saleh
Founding Partner
Cubit Ventures
Egypt
Seasoned executive and venture capital leader with 30 years of cross-sector experience in entrepreneurship, startup ecosystem development, driving frontier markets, and strategy consulting. A driving force behind Egypt’s National Startup and Venture Capital Strategy.
Kareem Abou Gamrah
CEO
Peace cake
Egypt
Kareem Abou Gamrah
CEO
Peace cake
Egypt
Kareem Abou Gamrah - Bio
For over a decade, Kareem has been at the forefront of all things digital and digital content,Kareem is CEO of one the middle east’s leading content creation companies “Peace Cake”. Before the billions of views acquired he had his start at Google with a specialization in digital marketing when the market was still in its infancy. Kareem worked through countless companies and projects to build a strategic focus around online content and content consumption. Aside from being a speaker and advisor to the content industry, now the CEO of Peace Cake, he works to create content for consumers and companies that fits this modern fast-paced world we’re now in; reaching millions around the Middle East everyday.
كريم أبو جمره
مدير تنفيذي - بيس كيك
لأكتر من 10 سنوات، كريم كان دايمًا في الصدارة في المجال الرقمي والمحتوى الرقمي، وبدأ ده بسبب شغله في شركة جوجل في تخصص التسويق الرقمي، لما كان المجال لسه في بدايته. كريم اشتغل في شركات كتيرة ومشاريع أكتر عشان يحدد تركيزه على المحتوى الموجود على الإنترنت وعلى استهلاكه. بجانب كونه داعم ومتحدث باسم صناعة المحتوى، كريم حاليًا المدير التنفيذي لشركة بيس كيك، واحدة من رواد وسائل الإعلام الجديدة في الشرق الأوسط. بيس كيك تنتج محتوى للمستهلكين وللشركات مناسب لمواكبة العصر السريع اللي عايشين فيه دلوقتي، ولها الملايين من المتابعين وحوالي نص مليار مشاهدة، وبيزيدوا كل يوم.
Hala Ebrahim
Associate Partner
Antler
United Arab Emirates
Hala Ebrahim
Associate Partner
Antler
United Arab Emirates
Mohamed Abouelnaga
Co-founder and Executive Chairman
Exits
Egypt
Mohamed Abouelnaga
Co-founder and Executive Chairman
Exits
Egypt
Mohamed Abou El Naga “Negati” is a venture builder in emerging markets, an investor, and a technology entrepreneur with 15 years of experience in tech entrepreneurship.
Currently, Abou El Naga is the CEO of Exits, the first tech-focused investment banking platform in the region, and the founder and CEO of Pie, Egypt’s leading M&A advisory firm for startups.
Negati is also a co-founder of Cashcows (considered the largest startup accelerator in Egypt) and Mumerz, and he serves as a Public and Government Relations Advisor at Disruptech, the largest fintech fund in Egypt.
He is also a co-founder of Halan, which is Africa’s largest and Egypt’s most funded super app as of 2020 according to Forbes Middle East, and it remained the most funded until 2022.
Before co-founding Halan, Negati was the Regional Manager at Careem, the first ride-hailing app in the Middle East, which was recently acquired by Uber for over $3 billion.
He is a board member of several tech companies including Robusta and Checkme, and an investor in multiple tech startups including Swype, Gameball, Sharwa, Sokna, ElGameya, and others.
Negati began his career at Fawry in account management and business development from 2012, eventually leading Business Development. Fawry was the first tech company to go public in Egypt, reaching a $2 billion market cap. In 2010, he also launched Egypt’s first F&B fund.
Negati completed the CXO Academy Program at INSEAD in France and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering from the American University in Cairo.
Sarah Abouelkhier
Founder & CEO
2oolameme
Egypt
Sarah Abouelkhier
Founder & CEO
2oolameme
Egypt
Sarah Abouelkhair is an architect, designer, and creative entrepreneur with a Master’s degree in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University and a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from the American University in Cairo (AUC). Her academic foundation in spatial design, critical theory, and narrative thinking continues to inform her multidisciplinary work across design and culture.
Her passion for design, storytelling, and social interaction led her to co-found 2oolameme in 2020 alongside Abdelrahman Khaled and Yasmin Ammar. The company quickly became a cultural phenomenon, known for creating Egypt’s most iconic social games. Under her creative leadership, 2oolameme has launched 24 original IPs, partnered with brands such as TikTok, Dell, and Allianz, and built a strong presence both in physical retail and through its mobile gaming platform, Kooz, which now has over 400,000 active users.
Sarah’s work blends humor, cultural insight, and design thinking. Her company was awarded the “Art to Business” prize at the 2024 EEAwards and continues to push boundaries at the intersection of play, creativity, and cultural relevance.
Nehal Helmy
Co-Founder and Chief of Strategy Officer
Flend
Egypt
Nehal Helmy
Co-Founder and Chief of Strategy Officer
Flend
Egypt
Nehal Helmy is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Flend, Egypt’s first regulated, tech-enabled, fully digital SME financing platform. She is an economist with deep expertise in financial sector development, policy, and innovation.
Before co-founding Flend, Nehal served as Economic Advisor to Egypt’s Minister of Investment and International Cooperation, where she led a 50+ person team and managed the country’s strategic partnerships with global financial institutions including the World Bank, AfDB, EBRD, and OECD. She played a central role in shaping financial policy, securing over US$4.5 billion in budget support financing, and driving regulatory reform in coordination with the Financial Regulatory Authority and GAFI.
Nehal also led Egypt’s engagement on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), oversaw development project efficiency, and mobilized resources for institutional capacity building. She represented Egypt at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as Advisor to the Constituency Director for Egypt, South Africa, and Brazil.
Prior to her government work, Nehal was a Financial Sector Specialist at the World Bank Group, leading regional projects focused on SME access to finance and affordable housing in Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen.
At Flend, Nehal is now leveraging her experience to transform how Egyptian SMEs access capital—through embedded finance, digital onboarding, and data-driven lending models. She is passionate about inclusive fintech, agile policy frameworks, and building ecosystems that enable growth for underbanked businesses.
Nehal holds an MSc in Economics from the University of Barcelona
Nour Emam
founder
daleela
Egypt
Nour Emam
founder
daleela
Egypt
Nour Emam is the Co-Founder and President of Daleela, a women’s health app used by over 170,000 women across the MENA region. Daleela offers AI-powered diagnostics, culturally sensitive health education, and a bilingual period and fertility tracker — all designed to make healthcare more accessible and judgment-free for Arab women.
Nour built one of the region’s most trusted health platforms by combining medically accurate information with a deeply empathetic, culturally relevant voice. Her work focuses on breaking taboos and making topics like periods, fertility, hormones, and sexual wellness easier to understand and talk about.
She is also a seasoned podcaster whose show once reached the #1 spot on Apple Podcasts in Egypt. Her impact has been recognized globally — she was named one of the BBC’s 100 Women and featured in The New York Times. Her work has also appeared in Fast Company Middle East, Inc. Arabia, Vogue and other major outlets.
Heba El-Dessouky
Director of Hospitality Development
City Edge Developments
Egypt
Heba El-Dessouky
Director of Hospitality Development
City Edge Developments
Egypt
Graduate with honors from Fine Arts School of Design- Helwan University Cairo in 2002, with over 20 years of consulting and management experience in both local and international firms.
Heba has recently been selected as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Egypt for the year 2022.
Heba El Dessouky is heading the Hospitality Development at City Edge Developments- with the most diverse portfolio of hospitality projects across Egypt. Previously Heba was heading the Interior Design department at EMAAR MISR -a well-known real estate developer in the Middle East and North Africa- for over 15 years & supervised the development of several lifestyle communities across residential, commercial & hospitality products.
Heba at an early stage has established several interior architecture units in several consulting firms, including Dar Handasah and ECG.
Driven from her belief that an interior architect should experiment their own ideas with high integrity, responsiveness,artistic and technical ability as well as sustainable responsibility,
Heba obtained her Ph.D. In 2020 titled:
“Setting an evaluation tool for lowering energy expenditure and increasing human well-being in the interior renovation process of office buildings in Egypt”, her mindset sets parameters to solve complex design problems that tackles energy expenditure to promote innovation & well being in the built environment with optimal values & energy rates.
In addition to her current role, she has spoken at several conferences and career summits about real estate, interior design, and energy savings, as well as design challenges.
Heba is also a certified Career Coach from the International Coaching Federation USA (ICF) and a member of the AUC architecture department advisory board in Cairo.
Mohamed Talaat
CEO
MTA
Egypt
Mohamed Talaat
CEO
MTA
Egypt
Dr. Mohamed Talaat
Founder & CEO, Mohamed Talaat Architects (MTA)
Dr. Mohamed Talaat is an internationally recognized Egyptian architect whose visionary work blends cultural sensitivity with contemporary innovation. Born in Cairo in 1974, he began his architectural journey with a Bachelor's degree in Architectural Design in 1996. In pursuit of academic and professional excellence, he went on to earn a Master’s degree in 2014—focusing on the synergy between interior and architectural design—and completed his Ph.D. at Atlantis University in the United States in 2017.
In 1999, Dr. Talaat established Mohamed Talaat Architects (MTA), a design-led architecture and urban planning firm that has grown into a regional leader with offices in Cairo, Riyadh, and Dubai. Under his leadership, MTA has delivered landmark projects across the Middle East and Africa, with a portfolio extending to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, South Africa, Chad, and Turkey.
Dr. Talaat’s design philosophy is rooted in creating architecture that balances aesthetic excellence with human-centered functionality. He believes that architecture should not only serve practical purposes but also enhance quality of life and cultural identity. This approach has positioned MTA as a firm known for designing vibrant, contextually grounded spaces—from mixed-use developments to urban master plans.
Complementing MTA’s core operations are its two sister companies, MTI and Ridge Regal, which expand the firm’s capabilities in specialized technical design and turnkey project execution.
Shehab Salah
CFO
Noon Learning
Egypt
Shehab Salah
CFO
Noon Learning
Egypt
Global Director of Finance at Noon - Social learning platform. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed by the Guam Board of Accountancy (USA), with one year of experience as a Regional Finance Director at Majid Al Futtaim. Previously served as the CFO of Jumia Egypt (E-commerce, JumiaPay, and Jumia Food) for three and a half years, and as the Statutory and Tax Regional Leader at GE (General Electric) for three years. Additionally, I have seven years of experience with two of the Big Four audit firms—four years at Ernst & Young and three years at KPMG—specializing in assurance services across a variety of industries, including manufacturing, utilities, not-for-profit organizations (NFP), transportation, and logistics.
Laila Helmy
Director of Commercial IT and Digital Innovation - Egypt
AstraZeneca
Egypt
Laila Helmy
Director of Commercial IT and Digital Innovation - Egypt
AstraZeneca
Egypt
Laila Helmy is the Egypt Director of Digital & IT Innovation at AstraZeneca. In her role, Laila orchestrates the Digital innovation agenda in Egypt, driving Digital Health innovations, business solutions and technologies and integrating it with the country’s strategy by fostering growth through innovation and partnering with all functions and therapy areas to drive impact. The Digital innovation function is instrumental in supporting patients, society, and the planet by deploying innovative solutions and fostering meaningful engagements with patients and healthcare professionals. Laila joined AstraZeneca in 2015 as an IT business partner and took on different Digital roles before heading the function in 2021 and becoming a member of the Egypt senior leadership team. With a focus on business analysis and driving digital transformation using Cloud technology, Laila has over 15 years of experience in business transformation through innovation fostering a culture that appreciates the transformative power of digital advancements in healthcare, academia and beyond.. Laila holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computers and Information Technology at Cairo University, year 2010 and holds multiple certifications including Digital marketing from Google and Udacity and certified OKR Coach
Rania Ayman
Founder & CEO
Entreprenelle
Egypt
Rania Ayman
Founder & CEO
Entreprenelle
Egypt
Mostafa Elnahas
CEO-Technology
Fawry Banking and Payment Technology Services
Egypt
Mostafa Elnahas
CEO-Technology
Fawry Banking and Payment Technology Services
Egypt
Mostafa Elnahhas is a seasoned technology leader with over 25 years of international experience in the software industry. He currently serves as the CEO of Technology at Fawry, leading the technological advancements of the company. Additionally, he holds the CEO and Chairman positions at FIS (Fawry Integrated Systems), a subsidiary and the technological arm of Fawry. Elnahhas was a founding member of Fawry, demonstrating his long-term commitment to the company's success.
Elnahhas' expertise spans across various technological domains, including EBPP, eCommerce, ePayment, eBanking, FinTech, Mobile Money, and Travel technologies. His educational background includes a B.Sc. in Computer Systems Engineering from Alexandria University and an Executive MBA from the American University in Cairo.
Shaimaa Emad El Deen
Marketing Director
L'Oréal Paris
Egypt
Shaimaa Emad El Deen
Marketing Director
L'Oréal Paris
Egypt
Khaled ElKert
Managing Director
ETD Business Solutions
Egypt
Khaled ElKert
Managing Director
ETD Business Solutions
Egypt
Ehsan Sayed
Business Development Manager
Taalam.ai
Egypt
Ehsan Sayed
Business Development Manager
Taalam.ai
Egypt
With six years of experience in the tech industry in Business Development Field, Ehsan combines deep technical knowledge with sharp business insight. As a computer engineering graduate, she is passionate about leveraging AI tools to streamline, automate, and enhance sales workflows in B2B e-commerce.
In addition to her live training sessions, Ehsan has partnered with top educational platforms and corporate sales teams to create structured, hands-on content focused on AI in Sales and Business Development, empowering professionals to translate technology into measurable impact.
Mohamed Alaa
CEO
Shezlong
Egypt
Mohamed Alaa
CEO
Shezlong
Egypt
I am Mohamed Alaa, a purpose-driven entrepreneur committed to reshaping the future of mental health, economic collaboration, and social development across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. As the CEO of Shezlong, I’ve led the region’s first and largest online therapy platform serving millions of people across 85 countries and proving that innovation can heal, empower, and unite.
Ahmed Mokhtar
Innovation Consultant
Egypt
Ahmed Mokhtar
Innovation Consultant
Egypt
Michael Nabil
Director of R&D
Eva Pharma
Egypt
Michael Nabil
Director of R&D
Eva Pharma
Egypt
Amr Bishara
CMO
Lamar Egypt
Egypt
Amr Bishara
CMO
Lamar Egypt
Egypt
Basma Al Sabbah Fareed
Associate
Sawari Ventures
Egypt
Basma Al Sabbah Fareed
Associate
Sawari Ventures
Egypt
Mohamed El-Alfy
Regional Supply Chain Director for Projects & SO - Middle East & Africa
Schneider Electric
Egypt
Mohamed El-Alfy
Regional Supply Chain Director for Projects & SO - Middle East & Africa
Schneider Electric
Egypt
Mohamed El-Alfy brings over 18 years of leadership experience in multinational corporations across the automotive industry, high-voltage substation projects, operations management, and supply chain management throughout the Middle East and Africa. He is currently the Regional Supply Chain Director for Solution Projects and Service Operations at Schneider Electric, where he leads complex, multi-country operations. With a proven track record of driving high-impact results across cultures and functions, Mohamed offers valuable insights into supply chain innovation, operational resilience, and leading transformation in complex and emerging markets.
Over his 11+ years at Schneider Electric, Mohamed has held several leadership roles, including Middle East & Africa Customer Care Center Director, where he transformed customer and technical support services across diverse markets. As the Regional CS&Q I2P Leader, he led significant transformation programs focused on the customer experience journey, enhancing quality management systems from issue resolution to prevention.
Mohamed’s earlier role at Alstom Grid focused on large-scale high- and medium-voltage substation project execution, stakeholder engagement, and infrastructure development across Egypt, North Africa, and Central Africa.
He began his career in the automotive industry at LEONI Wiring Systems, managing electrical harness projects for Aston Martin and Land Rover.
Mohamed is recognized for his expertise in change management, cross-border leadership, and delivering impactful initiatives. His career reflects a strong commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and stakeholder collaboration across diverse cultures.
Mariam Kamel
General Partner
Lofty Inc
Egypt
Mariam Kamel
General Partner
Lofty Inc
Egypt
Khaled Ashraf
Country Customer Success Manger
Foodics
Egypt
Khaled Ashraf
Country Customer Success Manger
Foodics
Egypt
Youssef Kamal
Director of Data
People Of Data
Egypt
Youssef Kamal
Director of Data
People Of Data
Egypt
Youssef Kamal is the Founder of the People of Data Community and a data leader with over five years of experience in building and leading data teams. He currently serves as the Director of Data at @advaegypt, a fintech company, where he oversees data strategy, credit scoring, infrastructure, and analytics. He also shares his expertise as an AI and Data Science Tutor at @udacity, helping business leaders in the MENA region with data science and digital transformation.
Youssef is a board member at Euclid Data Science Consultancy, providing consultancy for startups and SMEs. Boasting three master’s degrees and is pursuing a fourth in Artificial Intelligence. Youssef has extensive experience in data science within fintech, banking, e-commerce, and supply chain sectors. He has contributed to startups in Germany and Budapest, founded data science teams for Cairo startups, and established a growing data science consulting firm.
He is passionate about teaching online courses in data science and AI, aiming to empower thousands in Saudi Arabia, and is focused on leveraging AI to enhance healthcare for millions in Egypt. Youssef is also a founding partner in a foundation dedicated to social development.
Waleed Khalil
Managing Partner
Den VC
Egypt
Waleed Khalil
Managing Partner
Den VC
Egypt
Waleed Khalil is a prominent figure in the world of engineering, entrepreneurship, and venture capital. With a career spanning over two decades, Waleed has gained extensive experience in manufacturing consumer electronic products across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Egypt.
In early 2023, Waleed started DEN VC, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in deep tech startups in Africa and the Middle East. Through investments in companies such as Proteinia, Obian, and Your Parts, DEN VC has demonstrated its commitment to promoting investment diversity, positive impact, and potential for significant financial returns.
Prior to founding DEN VC, Waleed served as a partner at Endure Capital from 2016 to 2022. Endure Capital is a highly successful venture capital firm with a global presence, having invested in several regions around the world. During his tenure, Waleed played a key role in securing investments that led to the emergence of four unicorns, including Careem, Boom Supersonic, Tribal Credit, and Aspect Biosystems.
Throughout his career, Waleed has also been a respected mentor to hundreds of tech startups in the Arab region and Africa. He has also been a distinguished speaker at numerous entrepreneurship events such as Gitex, Biban, Techne Summit, Riseup summit, and many more.
Waleed's academic achievements include a bachelor's degree in electronics engineering from Cairo University and an MBA with a major in finance from the American University in Cairo. Waleed is a professor at the school of business in the American University in Cairo.
Ahmed Naguib
General Manager
Bubblegum Factory
Egypt
Ahmed Naguib
General Manager
Bubblegum Factory
Egypt
Ahmed Naguib is the General Manager of Bubblegum Factory, a digital agency based in Cairo, Egypt operating across the Middle East with a special focus on Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. He’s also the CEO of food-focused media company HUMM Network, which currently stands at over 2 Million followers and subscribers.
Hazem Youssef
Co-Founder and Creative Director
Design Sector
Egypt
Hazem Youssef
Co-Founder and Creative Director
Design Sector
Egypt
Experience in Architectural and Interior design since 2016, I have exceptional skills and experience in planning, detailing, designing and coordinating projects both in the public and private sectors. My excellent communication, public relations, problem-solving and leadership skills, entrepreneurship, system thinking combined with my deep knowledge of engineering and architectural codes. Senior executive with a proven record of building, managing and growing technology departments and companies, and who combines in-depth technical knowledge with refined business acumen and management skills. An expert at building new and refining existing technology solutions and their accompanying processes that span the life cycle to deliver value to end users and other stakeholders.
Medhat Yassin
Executive Vice Chairman
Mori international
Egypt
Medhat Yassin
Executive Vice Chairman
Mori international
Egypt
Sabrina Salama
Head of Middle East & North Africa Partnerships
Seedstars
Egypt
Sabrina Salama
Head of Middle East & North Africa Partnerships
Seedstars
Egypt
Sabrina is an experienced professional with a passion for supporting entrepreneurs on their journey to growth. She currently serves as the Head of MENA Partnerships at Seedstars; a global organization that supports and invests in tech startups in emerging markets. Sabrina believes in the power of entrepreneurship as an answer to today’s challenges and the power of cross-border knowledge transfer.
Her diverse experience includes a tenure as a Policy Officer at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she contributed to policy development in international relations. Sabrina's background is marked by her multicultural perspective, having lived in the UK, Morocco, Qatar, and currently splitting her time between Paris and Cairo.
With extensive research experience in the MENA region, Sabrina holds a Dual Master's Degree in International Governance and Intelligence from Sciences Po Grenoble, France. Her dedication to the entrepreneurial ecosystem is driven by a genuine belief in supporting founders through every phase of their growth journey.
Nour Allam
Investment Associate
+VC
Egypt
Nour Allam
Investment Associate
+VC
Egypt
Nour Allam is an Investment Associate at +VC, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in tech and tech-enabled startups in MENA and its diaspora. She has a deep passion and broad knowledge of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Egypt and the MENA region. Prior to joining +VC, she was with Savills, as an Analyst in the Strategic Consultancy Department in Egypt. She was actively involved in conducting market research and analysis, aiding investment decisions carried out by prominent real estate developers in Egypt and the region. Before that, she took part in the Analyst Accelerator Program at Endeavor, Egypt where she was part of the Entrepreneurial Sales and Growth team. Nour earned her BSc from The American University in Cairo, where she studied Finance and minored in Economics.
Omar Osman
CEO
Tac Universe
Egypt
Omar Osman
CEO
Tac Universe
Egypt
Omar Osman
Digital Visionary | Productivity Strategist | CEO of TAC Universe | Founder of Giftopiia
Omar Osman is a dynamic entrepreneur and strategist reshaping the digital, productivity, and gifting spaces. As the CEO and Founder of TAC Universe, one of the region’s fastest-scaling, data-driven digital agencies, Omar leads a team committed to delivering innovative, efficient, and impactful solutions that help brands thrive in the digital age. Under his leadership, TAC Universe has built a reputation for being a reliable partner for swift and effective digital transformations, with a clear purpose: reshaping the digital space.
Beyond TAC Universe, Omar is the Founder of Giftopiia, an elevated gifting platform focused on creating memorable experiences that celebrate life’s special moments. His ventures reflect his broader mission of combining creativity, technology, and strategy to create value and make a dent in his corner of the universe.
A firm believer in clarity, focus, and doing more with less, Omar champions the integration of productivity systems that maximize energy, time, and impact. Drawing from frameworks like EOS (Traction), the 12 Week Year, GTD, and his own time management philosophy, he helps individuals and organizations design time intentionally and achieve their highest potential.
Omar’s core values—Lead by Example, Get 1% Better Every Day, Be Open & Constructive, and Be of Service to Others—are reflected in his businesses, mentorship, and thought leadership. Whether through building world-class teams, creating strategic operating systems, or inspiring others to unlock their potential, Omar continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Mohamed Khedr
Consultant
خضر وبزنس
Egypt
Mohamed Khedr
Consultant
خضر وبزنس
Egypt
Dr. Khedr is a veteran entrepreneur, investor, and startup consultant with over 28 years of hands-on experience in building, scaling, and mentoring businesses across the MENA region. He founded some of Egypt’s prominent startups, has led multiple successful exits, and currently runs "Khedr W Business," a consultancy that supports businesses with strategy, management, operations, and fundraising. As the author of the bestselling Arabic book "رائد الأعمال Inside Out", Dr. Khedr brings real-world insights and actionable guidance to every session—making him a must-hear voice for ambitious founders.
Sherif Nabawy
Innovation Lead and EdTech Director
Egypt Education Platform- EEP
Egypt
Sherif Nabawy
Innovation Lead and EdTech Director
Egypt Education Platform- EEP
Egypt
Hossam Heikal
Brand Experience Manager
Huna
Egypt
Hossam Heikal
Brand Experience Manager
Huna
Egypt
Abdelrahman Hatem
Founder
Doctor Go
Egypt
Abdelrahman Hatem
Founder
Doctor Go
Egypt
Karim Gabriel
founder
KGworkouts
Egypt
Karim Gabriel
founder
KGworkouts
Egypt
With over 16 years of experience in senior leadership roles, I transitioned from leading global marketing campaigns for major brands into entrepreneurship. As the founder of KG Workouts, an online coaching business, I am focused on helping senior professionals and entrepreneurs stay fit and healthy while managing demanding careers. My passion for sports and healthy living has been a driving force throughout my life, enabling me to stay in shape even as I climbed the corporate ladder.
Additionally, I create content in the health and wellness space, with over 1 million followers across social media platforms. Follow me @kg.workouts for tips and tricks on staying healthy and in peak shape.
I have extensive personal and professional experience in sports nutrition, which I integrate into my coaching to help clients optimize their health and performance. Leveraging my corporate background, I now give talks at corporate events, empowering busy professionals to prioritize their well-being alongside their work commitments.
Lastly, I’m passionate about creating high-performance cultures through continuous improvement, accountability, and strategic growth. My expertise in identifying growth opportunities and navigating new territories has enabled me to drive commercial success, both in the corporate world and in my entrepreneurial ventures.
Anas Amin
Rioter
Riot Games
Egypt
Anas Amin
Rioter
Riot Games
Egypt
My name is Anas Amin, also known as Spirit Devilll. I am 30 years old and the founder of the League of Legends Arabic Group, the largest League of Legends community in the MENA region. Since its inception in 2013, the group has grown to 170,000 members and continues to expand. Over the past decade, I’ve been deeply involved in numerous gaming projects, collaborating with leading companies such as Power League Gaming, King of the Map, ArabHardware, Galaxy Gaming, BME, Royal Knights, Cosmic, and Riot Games. In addition to my work with these companies, I’ve contributed to several major eSports events, including Insomnia, IAC, Superdome, Arcane, and EWC in Saudi Arabia. Currently, I am an external project manager for Riot Games, continuing my passion for shaping the gaming industry.
Amr Bakr
CEO
7keema
Egypt
Amr Bakr
CEO
7keema
Egypt
Medical doctor and public health specialist and serial entrepreneur in healthtech, Fintech, insurtech
Tamer Okasha
Chief Development Officer
Hassan Allam Properties
Egypt
Tamer Okasha
Chief Development Officer
Hassan Allam Properties
Egypt
At Hassan Allam Properties, our commitment to strategic real estate development is reflected in the orchestration of major projects that encompass residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors. Leading as Chief Development Officer, my focus is on delivering innovative solutions that align with market demands and ensure long-term sustainability.
The team's efforts, guided by my direction in commercial development and project planning, have consistently resulted in projects that not only fulfill but exceed stakeholder expectations. Our approach integrates cross-functional collaboration and meticulous contract management to optimize outcomes and craft environments that resonate with our clients' aspirations.
Hossam Shafick
Principal
Silicon Badia
Egypt
Hossam Shafick
Principal
Silicon Badia
Egypt
Hossam Shafick is a Principal & North Africa Lead at Silicon Badia, a global venture capital firm leading investments across the US and MENA. Prior to VC, he was an investment banker, executing over $1B in M&A deals.
Hossam is also ranked the #1 LinkedIn Voice in Africa for Venture Capital, where he shares bold insights on startups, investing, and the future of tech in emerging markets.
Ahmed Kadous
CEO & Co-Founder
Pharmacy Marts
Egypt
Ahmed Kadous
CEO & Co-Founder
Pharmacy Marts
Egypt
Has 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical field , held different positions in Marketing, Sales, Market Access & Pricing Functions, at Pfizer, Novartis and Takeda. Prior to Pharmacy Marts, worked as Head of Market Access / Country Board Member.
Mina Shawky
Co-Founder & CEO
CliniDo
Egypt
Mina Shawky
Co-Founder & CEO
CliniDo
Egypt
Mina Shawky is the Co-founder and CEO of CliniDo, a HealthTech entrepreneur passionate about transforming healthcare in emerging markets. With a strong background in marketing, product management, and strategy, he brings multi-industry experience across pharma, fintech, and digital health. Mina is a pharmacist and holds a Master of Business Administration.
Mohamed AlGhannam
Principal
Flat6Labs
Egypt
Mohamed AlGhannam
Principal
Flat6Labs
Egypt
Mohamed AlGhannam is a Venture Capital Fund Manager at Flat6Labs who specializes in supporting early-stage startups. With 15 years of experience in Venture Capital, Private Equity, Investment Management and Corporate Entrepreneurship, he brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the startup ecosystem. Mohamed works closely with founders to refine strategies and business models, helping them successfully scale their companies.
Ahmed Safwat
Managing Partner for MENA region & Board Member
Healthcare International Group (HCI)
Egypt
Ahmed Safwat
Managing Partner for MENA region & Board Member
Healthcare International Group (HCI)
Egypt
Dr. Ahmed Safwat is an internationally recognized expert in clinical governance, healthcare accreditation, quality management, and developing healthcare systems with over 25 years of leadership across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the MENA region. He currently serves as Chairman of the Accreditation and Quality Committee at the American Urgent Care Association for MENA, Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee of the African Healthcare and Drug Association, and Chairman of the National Egyptian Green Award in Pharmacy Practice (EGAPP). He is also serves as a Managing Partner for MENA region & Board Member of HCI Group, Board Member of the Egyptian Council for Patient Advocates, and an adjunct professor at the American University in Cairo.
Dr. Safwat previously held key national roles, including Chairman of Egypt’s Supreme Committee for Healthcare Standards and the Committee for Telemedicine Framework Development. He also served as a Board Member of Egypt’s General Authority for Health Accreditation and Regulation (GAHAR) and as an advisor to Saudi Arabia’s National Medical Excellence Program.
His expertise spans healthcare quality, strategic planning, digital transformation, and policy development. His work continues to influence national health systems and organizational excellence across Egypt and the MENA region.