Forbes Middle East English November 2024

30 UNDER 30 ALUMNI: BIGGER & BETTER WORLD’S TOP 5 MOST VALUABLE UNICORNS

30 UNDER 30

MENA’S YOUNGEST MINISTERS THE WORLD’S 5 YOUNGEST BILLIONAIRES

HADY HAJJAR Cofounder & CEO of HuManagement

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AS INFLUENCERS HAVE CHANGED THE GAME FOR TALENT MANAGERS, HADY HAJJAR HAS BEEN EXPANDING HIS HOME-GROWN AGENCY AND THE REACH OF ARAB TALENT.

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NOVEMBER 2024 ISSUE 145

STAR POWER

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“IN THIS INDUSTRY, MANY CAN SELL YOU BIG DREAMS, BUT THE FORMULA FOR SUCCESS REMAINS ELUSIVE.”

NOVEMBER 2024 ISSUE 145 UAE..................................................AED 15 SAUDI ARABIA............................. SAR 15 BAHRAIN..................................... BHD 1.5 KUWAIT..................................... KWD 1.25 OMAN........................................... OMR 1.5 QATAR.............................................QAR 15 OTHERS.................................................. $4

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NOVEMBER 2024

6 I Sidelines Class of 2024

By Claudine Coletti LEADERBOARD

UNDER 30

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12 I 30 Under 30 Alumni: Bigger & Better

CONTENTS

Since being featured on our 30 Under 30, these standout alumni have continued to push boundaries, achieving remarkable milestones across sports and entrepreneurship.

By Sara Junaid

BILLIONAIRES

14 I The World’s 5 Youngest Billionaires The world’s five youngest billionaires have acquired their wealth through inheritance. They are not involved in the operations of the companies in which they own stakes. Net worths are as of October 2024, when their collective fortune stood at $13 billion.

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By Syed Saadain Gardezi STARTUPS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

16 I World’s Top 5 Most Valuable Unicorns These five most valuable unicorns are redefining everything from media and technology to finance and retail. Based on the latest figures from CB Insights, the company valuations are as of October 2024.

By Muhammad Addam LEADERSHIP

18 I Sustainability Priorities for Middle

Eastern Youth

The Middle East’s youth are driving the region’s sustainability agenda, with bold priorities focused on clean water, quality education, healthcare, and more.

By Jamila Gandhi

20 I MENA’s Youngest Ministers From athletes to seasoned diplomats, these dynamic leaders— all under the age of 35 based on available data—are helping reshape the region.

By Sara Junaid CONTRARIAN

22 I Bling Billionaire Jewelers sell sentiment. But Matthew Stuller made a ten-figure fortune in gold and diamonds by focusing on logistics, not love.

By Christopher Helman

96 I Thoughts On Social Media F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

26 I Top 10 Talent Managers

Making Moves in the Middle East

The Middle East’s media and entertainment sector was valued at $41.13 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $59.10 billion by 2029, according to Mordor Intelligence.

Celebrities and influencers are playing a key role in the economy, and dedicated agencies are there to provide expertise to navigate this landscape.

42 I Taking the Stage Lebanese DJ Chloe Kteily mixes Arabic music with new beats to create a modern sound that opens up traditional Arabic music to a younger audience. In a world where male DJs still take the lead, she’s showing what the next generation of female artists can do.

By Layan Abo Shkier

56 I First Team Abdullah Aljassim and Abdulaziz Alhumaid, cofounders of Saudi-based ticket exchange and resale platform GrintaHub, have ventured into an untapped sector. Now, they aim to double their customer base, bolstered by the expanding events industry in Saudi Arabia.

By Hagar Omran

68 I AI’s New Role in Diagnostics Noraldin Al-Deri, Founder and CEO of EICADD, has created a first-of-its-kind AI-powered diagnostic tool that’s setting new standards in pediatric healthcare. Pushing the frontiers of neurodevelopmental science, his work is reshaping how the world addresses developmental challenges.

By Jamila Gandhi NOVEMBER 2024

CONTENTS

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November 2024

Issue 145

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CONTENTS

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INSIDE •

COVER STORY

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Star Power Hady Hajjar, Cofounder and CEO of talent management agency HuManagement, often rubs shoulders with superstars, but behind the glitz and glamor, he’s expanding in an industry being forever changed by influencers and making deals to open Arab talent up to the world.

Stay connected with our latest business news.

By Claudine Coletti

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NOVEMBER 2024

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NOVEMBER 2024

SIDELINES

FORBES MIDDLE EAST

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Class of 2024 This year, we reveal our 30 Under 30 for 2024 as the world is on the precipice of change. While many may currently be feeling uncertain about the future, and others may be feeling optimistic, with our November issue, we focus on hope. The next generation is way ahead of the times, prioritizing the preservation of the planet, the growth of inclusive communities, and the use of scientific advancement and technology to improve and prolong lives. This month we celebrate young innovators, entrepreneurs, and stars based in or from MENA, who are now part of the incredible Forbes Under 30 community.

This year’s list features older millennials (aged between 28 and 30 in 2024) and early Gen Z-ers (born from 1997 onwards). As such, for many of them, uncertainty is par for the course. Most were at the start of their careers just before a global pandemic fundamentally changed how we work and communicate.

Some only entered the workforce after lockdowns ended. Research by LinkedIn suggests that as they have mostly had to navigate hybrid or remote working environments, many Gen Z workers may miss some of the informal observations and vital cues that traditionally guide behavior, collaboration, and networking.

Meanwhile, according to McKinsey & Company, Gen Z in general are socially progressive dreamers who believe in doing their part to fight climate change and achieve greater equity for all.

Our 30 Under 30 for 2024 features 120 entries across four categories: sports and entertainment, commerce and finance, science and technology, and social impact. The three youngest teenage trailblazers this year are in the sports and entertainment category. Algerian-French artistic gymnast, Kaylia Nemour, aged 17, became the first Algerian ever to bag a gold medal in the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Iraqi para table tennis player , Najlah Imad, aged 19, won a gold medal in the WS6 women’s singles category at the Paris 2024 Paralympics to become Iraq’s first female Paralympic gold medalist. And 19-year-old Lebanese content creator, Rayan Hayek, hosts Arab celebrities on his ‘Baynetna’ show on YouTube.

In commerce and finance, our youngest entries are the 22-year-old Qatari Marcus Munjoma, cofounder of BaytTravel, a luxurious vacation home rental online marketplace that facilitates connections between locals, expats, and travelers, and the 22-year-old Egyptian entrepreneur Fatma Youssef, Cofounder of Fati’s. Our youngest entry in science and technology is 22-year-old Iranian Alireza Daneshvar, cofounder of Pioneera Biosciences, which focuses on advanced cell and gene therapies. And in social impact, our youngest entries are Lebanese Marina El Khawand and Egyptian Youssef Abdelhamid, both also 22. El Khawand is the founder and president of Medonations, which provides free medical assistance in Lebanon, and Abdelhamid cofounded Tutoruu, an app that helps undergraduate students get support from peers who have done their course before.

Everyone in our Under 30 community has shown a commitment to connecting people, excelling in their fields, and having an impact on the world. Next month we’ll be celebrating them once again as we host our Under 30 Summit in Abu Dhabi. Check out our website to find out more details, and enjoy learning more about this year’s impressive young cohort.

—Claudine Coletti, Managing Editor

F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

NOVEMBER 2024

FORBES MIDDLE EAST

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NOVEMBER 2024

INNOVATING SINCE 2010 NOVEMBER 2024 ISSUE 145

Dr. Nasser Bin Aqeel Al Tayyar President & Publisher nasser@forbesmiddleeast.com

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Khuloud Al Omian

FORBES MIDDLE EAST

CEO & Editor-in-Chief Forbes Middle East

khuloud@forbesmiddleeast.com

Editorial

Business Development

Claudine Coletti Managing Editor claudine@forbesmiddleeast.com

Ruth Pulkury Senior Vice President - Business Development

Laurice Constantine Digital Managing Editor laurice@forbesmiddleeast.com

ruth@forbesmiddleeast.com

Fouzia Azzab Deputy Managing Editor fouzia@forbesmiddleeast.com

Fiona Pereira fiona@forbesmiddleeast.com

Amany Zaher Senior Quality Editor amany@forbesmiddleeast.com

Karl Noujaim karl@forbesmiddleeast.com

Jamila Gandhi Senior Editor jamila@forbesmiddleeast.com

Sarah Gadallah Hassan sarah.g@forbesmiddleeast.com

Rawan Hassan Senior Translator rawan@forbesmiddleeast.com

Maher El Zein maher@forbesmiddleeast.com

Samar Khouri Reporter samar@forbesmiddleeast.com

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Cherry Aisne Trinidad Senior Online Editor aisne@forbesmiddleeast.com

Tayyab Riaz Mohammed Financial Controller riaz@forbesmiddleeast.com

Research

Jason Lasrado Head of Research jason@forbesmiddleeast.com Nermeen Abbas Senior Researcher nermeen@forbesmiddleeast.com Elena Hayek Researcher elena@forbesmiddleeast.com Layan Abo Shkier Research Reporter layan@forbesmiddleeast.com

Soumer Al Daas Head of Creative soumer@forbesmiddleeast.com Julie Gemini Marquez Senior Brand & Creative Content Executive julie@forbesmiddleeast.com Mohammed Ashkar IT Manager ashkar@forbesmiddleeast.com Habibullah Qadir Senior Payables and Accounting Manager habib@forbesmiddleeast.com

FORBES US Chairman and Editor-In-Chief Steve Forbes CEO and President Michael Federle

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30 Under 30 Alumni: Bigger & Better LEADERBOARD

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Since being featured on our 30 Under 30, these standout alumni have continued to push boundaries, achieving remarkable milestones across sports and entrepreneurship.

Achraf Hakimi

Fellow, and a board member for portfolio companies like TruKKer, Lendo, NymCard, VUZ, Retailo Technologies, and Penny Software.

Farida Osman Nationality: Egyptian Occupation: Swimmer Osman was on our 30 Under 30 in 2020. A competitive swimmer, she broke the African record in the 50m and 100m butterfly World Aquatics Championships in Budapest in 2022 and won bronze at the 50m Butterfly event at the championships in Doha in February 2024. Osman is a three-time Olympian, having represented Egypt in London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020. The 29-year-old swimmer is a 2024 African Games gold medalist, with eight medals as of March 2024.

Mutaz Barshim Achraf Hakimi Nationality: Moroccan Occupation: Soccer Player Footballer Hakimi was featured on our 30 Under 30 list in 2019 and signed a five-year contract for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. In the 2021/22 season, he played a total of 41 matches, including 32 in Ligue 1 and eight in the Champions League, making him the second most-used player of the season. He also became French champion with the Rouge et Bleu. In the 2022/23 season, he was crowned champion for the second consecutive season and was named in the league’s Team of the Year. In August 2024, the Atlas Lions, of which Hakimi is captain, won Morocco’s first-ever medal at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament. The 26-year-old football player similarly led Morocco to the semi-finals at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, making it the F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

first African nation to reach that stage in the tournament.

His market value was $64.8 million as of October 25, 2024, according to Transfermarkt.

Shane Shin Nationality: Canadian-Korean Occupation: Founding Partner at Shorooq Partners Shin appeared on our 30 Under 30 list in 2019. He has been a founding partner at Shorooq Partners since 2017, which became the first regional VC firm to be licensed by the Abu Dhabi Global Market. In April 2024, the company announced the closing of its third VC fund, the Bedaya Fund II, at over $160 million. In July 2024, Shorooq Partners led a $20 million financing round for Saudi AI startup Intelmatix.

In the same month, it co-led a $37 million series A round in 44.01, an Omani climate tech company. Shin is a Kauffman

Nationality: Qatari Occupation: High Jumper Barshim was featured on our 30 Under 30 list in 2021.

He recorded the secondhighest jump in history at 2.43 meters in 2014. He is known for sharing gold with Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after both jumped 2.37 meters. Also, at Tokyo 2020, he became the first Qatari Olympics champion in athletics, and the second in any sport. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, he was Qatar’s flagbearer for the opening ceremony, and he secured bronze with a score of 2.34 meters, which is the fourth consecutive Olympic medal.

In 2022, Barshim became the first male high jumper to win three consecutive world titles in the World Championships, having previously won in 2017 in London and 2019 in Doha.

He is the brand ambassador for Ooredoo Qatar, and he was an ambassador for the

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The 33-year-old high jumper ranked fourth in the men’s high jump in the world as of October 22, 2024, according to World Athletics.

Soufiane El Bakkali Nationality: Moroccan Occupation: Runner El Bakkali appeared on our 30 Under 30 list in 2021. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, he became the first man to win two consecutive 3,000-meter steeplechase gold medals at the games since 1932.

He debuted at the World Championships in 2017, where he won silver, then he secured two golds in 2022 in Eugene, and in Budapest in 2023. In August 2024, King Mohammed VI received El Bakkali at the Royal Palace in Tetouan to award him with the Al Arch Wissam of the Commander’s Order, for his achievements at the Olympics. The 27-year-old runner ranked first in his category worldwide, as of October 22, 2024, according to World Athletics.

Sara Samir Nationality: Egyptian Occupation: Weightlifter Samir was on our 30 Under 30 list in 2023. The 26-year-old weightlifter won a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, in the women’s 81kg category, scoring a combined lift of 268 kilograms. At the Rio 2016 Olympics, she became the first Arab woman to ever win an Olympic weightlifting medal, when she won bronze in the women’s 69kg category with a total of 255 kilograms.

She went on to win silver in the 71kg category at the 2018 IWF World, and gold in the 76kg category at the IWF in 2022 and 2023. Samir began competing in 2010 while her first international result was registered in 2012 at the African Junior Championships.

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Billionaires

The World’s 5 Youngest Billionaires 1. Clemente Del Vecchio

3. Livia Voigt

Age: 20 • Net Worth: $5.2 billion Source of wealth: Eyeglasses Citizenship: Italian

Age: 20 • Net Worth: $1.4 billion

Del Vecchio is the son of Leonardo Del Vecchio, the late chairman of EssilorLuxottica, the world’s biggest eyeglasses company, which owns brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley.

In 2022, aged 18, he became the world’s youngest billionaire when he inherited a 12.5% stake in his father’s Luxembourg-based holding company, Delfin, following his death. According to Bloomberg, the value of holdings at Delfin stood at $43.5 billion as of June. As well as EssilorLuxottica, Delfin holds stakes in Mediobanca and UniCredit banks, insurance company Generali Group, and real estate developer Covivio.

Shareholders of the holding group received around $983 million in dividends last year, while dividends for 2024 are expected at $1.1 billion.

The market cap of EssilorLuxottica stood at $109.8 billion as of October 2024, the goal Leonardo Del Vecchio set before he passed away in 2022.

Voigt is one of the major individual shareholders of the Brazil-based WEG, the biggest manufacturer of electric motors in Latin America. Established in 1961 by Voigt’s grandfather, Werner Ricardo Voigt, along with the late Eggon João da Silva and Geraldo Werninghaus, the company also manufactures generators, transformers, and electric

2. Kim Jung-youn Age: 20 • Net Worth: $1.5 billion Source of wealth: Online gaming Citizenship: South Korean Jung-youn and her elder sister Jungmin each hold an 18% stake in NXC, the biggest shareholder in the South Korean online gaming giant Nexon.

They inherited the stake from their father, Kim Jung-ju, who founded the gaming company in 1994 and died in February 2022. As of 2021, he was the third richest person in Korea, with a net worth of $10.9 billion, according to Forbes estimates. Little is known about the two sisters, and they are not involved in Nexon’s operations which had a market cap of $14.6 billion as of October 22, 2024.

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Source of wealth: Industrial Machinery Citizenship: Brazilian

Quick facts • $5.2 billion • Clemente Del Vecchio, son of Leonardo Del Vecchio, the late chairman of EssilorLuxottica, is the richest of the youngest billionaires, worth $5.2 billion.

• February 2022 • The month that Clemente Del Vecchio, Kim Jung-min, and Kim Jung-youn lost their fathers and inherited their wealth.

• 50% • Of the five youngest billionaires Kevin David Lehmann owns the largest stake in his family business. He has a 50% stake in Germany’s leading drugstore chain, dm-drogerie markt.

•3• Of the five youngest billionaires in the world, three are women: Kim Jung-youn, Livia Voigt, and Kim Jung-min.

controls. The company boasts branches in 41 countries and manufacturing facilities in 17 countries, as of December 2023. It recorded revenues of $3.4 billion in H1 2024. Voigt does not hold any executive position at the company or a seat on the board and is currently attending university.

4. Kevin David Lehmann Age: 22 • Net Worth: $3.4 billion Source of wealth: Drugstores Citizenship: German Kevin David Lehmann owns a 50% stake in Germany’s leading drugstore chain, dm-drogerie markt, which boasts a network of over 4,000 stores across Europe, as of September 2023.

The company was set up in 1973 with its first shop in Karlsruhe, Germany. A year later, Kevin’s father, Guenther, who was at that time running his family’s Pfannkuch grocery chain, invested in dm. He transferred his 50% stake in dm to his son in 2017. Neither have been operationally involved in dm’s operations and little is known about them. The company generated $12.1 billion in sales in Germany in the 2022/23 financial year ending September 2023 and achieved total group sales of $16.9 billion.

5. Kim Jung-min Age: 22 • Net worth: $1.5 billion Source of wealth: Online gaming Citizenship: South Korean Kim Jung-min owns an 18% stake in NXC, the biggest shareholder in the South Korean online gaming giant Nexon. Similar to her younger sister, Kim Jung-min, she inherited the bulk of her stake from her late father, Kim Jung-ju, who founded the gaming company in 1994 and died in February 2022. In 2023, Nexon generated $2.8 billion in revenues, marking a year-on-year rise of 20%. Jungmin is not involved in Nexon’s operations, and little is known about her.

NOVEMBER 2024

BY SYED SAADAIN GARDEZI

LEADERBOARD

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The world’s five youngest billionaires have acquired their wealth through inheritance. They are not involved in the operations of the companies in which they own stakes. Net worths are as of October 2024, when their collective fortune stood at $13 billion.

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Startups & Entrepreneurship

World’s Top 5 Most Valuable Unicorns ByteDance Valuation: $225 billion Country: China Based in Beijing, ByteDance is a global leader in media and entertainment. Best known for owning TikTok, it is backed by investors like HongShan, SIG Asia Investments, Sina Weibo, and SoftBank Vision Fund. The company, which has raised a total of $7.4 billion in funding through 16 rounds, based on data from CB Insights, is preparing to secure a $10.8 billion loan, which will be the largest U.S. dollardenominated corporate deal in Asia—excluding Japan—Bloomberg reported in September, citing unnamed sources. ByteDance’s cofounders Zhang Yiming and Liang Rubo have a net worth of $45.6 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, as of October 25, 2024, according to Forbes.

SpaceX Valuation: $200 billion Country: U.S. Backed by investors such as Founders Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Rothenberg Ventures, SpaceX is a global force in the industrial sector, headquartered in Hawthorne, California. The company, which has raised a total of $9.7 billion in funding through 41 rounds, based on data from CB Insights, recently achieved an engineering milestone by returning its Starship booster to its Texas launch pad using mechanical arms in its fifth Starship test flight. SpaceX is also pushing forward with reusable spacecraft to facilitate missions to the moon and Mars. Elon Musk, F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

SpaceX is a global force in the industrial sector, headquartered in Hawthorne, California.

Stripe, founded by billionaire brothers Patrick and John Collison.

SpaceX’s Founder, CEO, and CTO, had a net worth of $269.8 billion as of October 25, 2024, according to Forbes.

OpenAI

OpenAI’s CEO, had a personal net worth of $1 billion as of October 25, 2024, based on Forbes estimates.

Stripe

2024, according to Forbes, as did his brother and the President and cofounder’s John.

SHEIN

Valuation: $157 billion

Valuation: $70 billion

Valuation: $66 billion

Country: U.S.

Country: U.S.

Country: Singapore

OpenAI, headquartered in San Francisco and backed

by Microsoft and Khosla Ventures, is an enterprise tech leader best known for developing ChatGPT. The company has secured a total of $24.1 billion in funding across 13 rounds, according to CB Insights. In early October 2024, OpenAI secured $6.6 billion in new funding in addition to a $4 billion revolving line of credit, boosting its liquidity to over $10 billion and enabling the startup to invest in new initiatives. Sam Altman,

Stripe, a San Franciscobased fintech giant founded by billionaire brothers Patrick and John Collison, is backed by Khosla Ventures, Lowercase Capital, and CapitalG. As part of its expansion efforts, Stripe acquired Bridge, a provider of infrastructure for crypto stablecoins, for $1.1 billion in October 2024. Stripe has raised a total of $10.1 billion in funding across 31 rounds, according to CB Insights.

CEO and cofounder Patrick Collison’s net worth stood at $7.2 billion as of October 25,

Singapore-based SHEIN is a fast-fashion retail behemoth backed by investors including Tiger Global Management, HongShan, and Shunwei Capital. The retailer is preparing for an IPO in London, pending China and U.K. regulatory approval, according to Bloomberg. In 2023, SHEIN’s British division, SHEIN Distribution UK Ltd, posted a 38% surge in annual revenue to $2 billion. SHEIN has secured a total of $3.7 billion in funding across 10 rounds, according to CB Insights.

NOVEMBER 2024

BY MUHAMMAD ADDAM ; PHOTOGRAPH BY LEVON BISS FOR FORBES

LEADERBOARD

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These five most valuable unicorns are redefining everything from media and technology to finance and retail. Based on the latest figures from CB Insights, the company valuations are as of October 2024.

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Leadership

Sustainability Priorities for Middle Eastern Youth

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The Middle East’s youth are becoming increasingly focused on sustainability, with strong views on the importance of addressing global challenges. According to PwC’s Middle East Youth Outlook 2024 report, young people aged 10 to 30 in the region are growing more aware of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how these goals shape the future of their societies. Youths’ concerns and priorities are crucial to navigating its path toward a more sustainable and equitable future.

The report highlights the differing perceptions of who drives positive change in the region. A notable 65% of young respondents in the Middle East believe that governments are the primary drivers of change for people and the planet.

This contrasts with global findings, where only 38% of youth view governments as taking sufficient action on sustainability issues. In the Middle East, only 45% of young people feel that nongovernmental organizations and international organizations are leading the way in addressing environmental and social challenges, suggesting that there is significant potential for these entities to increase their efforts and engage youth in meaningful initiatives.

When it comes to the specific SDGs that Middle Eastern youth consider a priority, their top concern is SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, with 81% stating it is very important. MENA is one of the most water-stressed F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

regions in the world, with 83% of its population facing extreme high water stress, and projections suggest this could reach 100% by 2050, according to the Water Resources Institute. To address this, countries like Saudi Arabia have invested in desalination projects powered by renewable energy, including its 96 projects to enhance the infrastructure for reusing treated water for $4 billion announced during the 10th World Water Forum held in Indonesia last May. Another most important SDG in the Middle East among youth is SDG 4: Quality Education also with 81% stating it is very important. Young people believe that access to quality education is essential for empowering future generations and fostering social mobility. Qatar has also made significant strides in education, with institutions

like Education City in Qatar home to eight universities like Georgetown University in Qatar and Hamad Bin Khalifa University, and 13 schools with over 10,000 students enrolled.

SDG 3—good health and wellbeing— ranks as the third priority for Middle Eastern youth, with 76% naming it as “very important,” reflecting a growing concern over the region’s health challenges.

Non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular issues, account for 69-83% of deaths in the GCC, making the region one of the hardest hit globally. Additionally, nearly 39% of Middle Eastern youth, live in areas of prolonged conflict in 2022 according to Peace Research Institute Oslo, contributing to rising rates of malnutrition, mental health issues, and other health-related stresses. In response, healthcare systems are being strengthened,

with a focus on preventive care and mental health support. For instance, Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance Law adopted in 2018, aims to provide coverage for all Egyptians by 2032 to reduce health disparities and ensure healthcare access regardless of socioeconomic status.

The fourth SDG that young people in the region prioritize, seen as very important by 75% of respondents, is SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, reflecting their awareness of the importance of transparent governance and strong institutions in building resilient societies.

In the U.A.E., investments in programs like the Dubai Government Excellence Program have been central to enhancing governance and accountability.

SDG 2—zero hunger—ranks as the fifth priority for Middle Eastern youth, seen by 73% of youth as very important.

Food security remains a critical issue, and young people are increasingly concerned about the rising cost of food, unequal access to nutritious meals, and the impact of climate change on agriculture. Over 40 million people across the Middle East suffer from severe food insecurity, including more than 11.7 million people at emergency or worse levels of food insecurity, according to the World Food Programme.

Saudi Arabia’s National Transformation Program aims to enhance food security by investing in sustainable agricultural practices and promoting technological innovations to increase food production.

NOVEMBER 2024

BY JAMILA GANDHI , U—PHOTO/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

The Middle East’s youth are driving the region’s sustainability agenda, with bold priorities focused on clean water, quality education, healthcare, and more.

PRO M OTI O N Scan this QR code to open the website

Standard Chartered Global Private Bank is delivering integrated financial solutions that meet the diverse and evolving needs of the Middle East’s UHNWIs.

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he Middle East has seen rapid growth in the number of ultrahigh-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) in recent years, who have their personal fortunes tied to crossborder investments, real estate, and a wide range of business ventures.

This growing wealth brings immense opportunities, but it also presents challenges. Standard Chartered Global Private Bank has long understood the unique financial needs of the region’s UHNW families, offering comprehensive solutions tailored to their evolving demands.

The priorities of UHNWIs often shift as they transition through different stages of life. For younger clients or those with families, the focus tends to be on wealth accumulation and addressing crossborder needs.

“We regularly work with clients with homes spread across continents, children attending schools in different time zones, and diverse business interests. Our global network combined with deep local knowledge helps us effectively manage their assets across jurisdictions and service their needs seamlessly,” says Vinay Gandhi, Regional Head, Private Banking for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and Global Head, South Asian Community, Standard Chartered.

A key feature of Standard Chartered’s service is its “onebank” approach, which helps cater to personal wealth and corporate needs through one platform.

This is particularly beneficial for entrepreneurs whose personal

Vinay Gandhi, Regional Head, Private Banking for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Standard Chartered

and business wealth are often closely linked.

Through collaboration between its private and corporate banking divisions, Standard Chartered is able to offer corporate solutions such as debt issuance, trade finance, and syndicated loans alongside traditional wealth management. This integration has proven key for many UHNW clients who require sophisticated financial solutions to support their personal and business ventures.

Islamic Finance: A Growing Priority Islamic finance plays a critical role in wealth management for many UHNW families in the Middle East. The global Islamic finance industry is forecasted to reach $6.7 trillion by 2027, reflecting growing demand for Shariahcompliant financial products.

Through its Saadiq brand, Standard Chartered offers a wide range of products that adhere to Islamic principles, including Shariah-compliant investment accounts, home financing, and wealth management solutions. What differentiates the bank in this space

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is its deep expertise across key Islamic markets as well as its robust Shariah-compliant framework.

The bank ensures its Islamic banking services are integrated with broader wealth management strategies and guided by Shariah expertise, allowing clients to maintain their ethical beliefs while pursuing long-term financial goals.

Reflecting its success, Standard Chartered has won multiple awards for its Islamic finance services, including Best Islamic International Bank at the Euromoney Awards in 2024 in three markets.

As UHNW families accumulate wealth, the importance of legacy planning has become more prominent. Standard Chartered’s global wealth planning team offers expertise in estate planning, family governance, and philanthropy, helping clients ensure their wealth is transferred smoothly to future generations. The bank also provides sustainable investing solutions, aligning clients’ longterm financial goals with their desire to make a positive impact in areas that matter to them.

“Standard Chartered is well equipped to continue helping our clients to achieve their financial aspirations, seamlessly connecting their wealth across borders and generations,” says Gandhi.

https://www.sc.com/en/ NOVEMBER 2024

19 LEADERBOARD

Financial Solutions that Span Economics, Borders & Generations

Leadership

MENA’s Youngest Ministers Shamma bint Sohail Al Mazrui Designation: Minister of Community

Omar Bin Sultan Al Olama

Development • Country: U.A.E. Al Mazrui, 30, was the youngest cabinet minister in the world at the time of her appointment as Minister of State for Youth Affairs in February 2016 at the age of 22. In February 2023, she became the U.A.E.’s Minister of Community Development during a cabinet reshuffle.

As well as being the U.A.E.’s first Rhodes Scholar, she is also a chairperson of the board of trustees at the Special Olympics U.A.E. and Zayed University.

For COP28, Al Mazrui was assigned the role of Youth Climate Champion and secured membership at the COP28 Higher Committee. She previously served as the vice chair of the Arab Youth Center.

Theyazin bin Haitham bin Tarik Al Said Designation: Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth • Country: Oman

Yacine El-Mahdi Oualid Designation: Minister of Knowledge Economy, Startups and Micro-enterprises Country: Algeria Before assuming his current post in September 2022, Oualid, 31, was Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister of Knowledge Economy and Startups.

He first joined President Tebboune’s cabinet in 2020 as the youngest deputy minister in charge of startups, assuming the role at just 26 years old.

In January 2024, he launched the National Agency for Self-Entrepreneurs, as well as its digital platform for obtaining a self-entrepreneur card.

He is an advocate for Algeria’s efforts to create an environment suitable for entrepreneurship across Africa, stressing the importance of keeping African startups within the continent. Oualid has an executive doctorate in public policy.

Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Designation: Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) • Country: Qatar In 2015, Al Thani was, 33, inducted F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

is an equestrian and served as president of the U.A.E. Equestrian and Racing Federation between 2015 and 2016. Al Nahyan graduated with a postgraduate diploma in U.A.E. diplomacy and international relations from the Emirates Diplomatic Academy in 2017. He previously studied at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Al Nahyan interned at The National in 2011, then moved on in 2012 to Standard Chartered Bank in Abu Dhabi, and the Mubadala Investment Company.

as an officer in the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya). He underwent military training in Qatar, the U.S., and France until 2018. In 2020, he became a member of the National Security Council, a steering committee member of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, and a member of the supervisory committee for the first Shura Council elections in 2021. He held many roles at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, including the assistant chairman of the safety and security operations committee, commander of security operations, and president of the national risk management team.

Al Thani was appointed as Minister of Interior in March 2023.

Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan Designation: Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs • Country: U.A.E. Al Nahyan assumed his current role in February 2021. He is also a Cabinet member. He was the U.A.E. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 2017 until 2021. He

Al Said was appointed the first-ever Crown Prince of Oman following a royal decree in January 2021, having served in his post as Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth since 2020. In celebration of Omani Youth Day on October 26, 2024, the Minister announced the expansion of the Youth Center to A’Dakhiliyah, Musandam, and South A’Sharqiyah.

Omar Bin Sultan Al Olama Designation: Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Country: U.A.E. Al Olama, 34, became the world’s first Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence in 2017. His role was expanded to include Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications in July 2020. He was appointed Director General of the Prime Minister’s Office at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, and Director General of Dubai Crown Prince’s Office in 2023. Al Olama is also a member of the Board of Trustees and Deputy Managing Director of the Dubai Future Foundation, Vice Chair of the World Governments Summit Organization, and advisory board member of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.

NOVEMBER 2024

BY SARA JUNAID, IMAGE FROM WAM

LEADERBOARD

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From athletes to seasoned diplomats, these dynamic leaders—all under the age of 35 based on available data—are helping reshape the region.

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Sustainability: A Commitment Strong as Steel n the global campaign to build a greener future, Emirates Steel is leading by example. In its home country, the company, which is part of EMSTEEL Group, is driving down its carbon emissions to support the U.A.E.’s 2050 net zero initiative–and in doing so, making an impact on the planet we all share.

As an organization that holds 60% of the U.A.E.’s steel market share with an annual production capacity of 3.5 million tons, reducing carbon output matters.

Kickstarting its decarbonization journey back in 2019, the Group developed a comprehensive roadmap built on carbon capture, green hydrogen, clean energy, scrap metal utilization, and energy efficiency, earning Emirates Steel status as the first steel company in the world to capture CO2.

As Emirates Steel CEO, Saeed Alghafri, explains, the results of the company’s efforts have been significant: “We have utilized 84% clean electricity and have taken significant strides to decarbonize our operations, products, and supply chain, as evidenced by a 56% year-on-year increase in renewable materials used in our steel production.” According to the chief executive, the company, which exports to over 70 markets worldwide, has also attained a certified CO2 intensity that is 27% lower than the global average.

Alongside decarbonization, Emirates Steel is recognized for setting benchmarks in sustainable

Saeed Alghafri, CEO of Emirates Steel

production through innovation and collaborative projects. One such initiative is the green hydrogen steel pilot project in partnership with U.A.E. state-owned renewable energy company, Masdar.

As the first of its kind in MENA, the project is set for Q4 this year and aims to decarbonize the steel sector.

“If scaled up, this transformative endeavor could drastically reduce CO2 emissions in steelmaking using green hydrogen, in clear alignment with the U.A.E.’s vision of becoming a major hydrogen producer by 2031,” says Alghafri.

Emirates Steel’s reputation for sustainability extends beyond decarbonization to innovative products including the company’s ES600 high-strength rebar.

According to the CEO, the rebar is cost- and time-effective, reduces rebar consumption by 18-24%, and alleviates rebar congestion.

Additionally, it lowers logistics

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expenses, is space-efficient, and enhances structural aesthetics while improving the saleable floor space area for developers. “Its adoption in high-profile projects such as SOBHA Reality and Al Habtoor Group’s latest developments in Dubai highlights its impact on advancing construction practices,” says Alghafri.

Advanced technology is also at the core of Emirates Steel’s sustainability drive. In a world first, the company has partnered with Sentra World to develop the AI-led Green Steel Monitoring & Certification System. The system leverages cloud-based software, enabling Emirates Steel to calculate emissions at the heat level, ensure blockchain-enabled traceability, and provide a digital wallet for carbon credits.

In further collaborations, the steel company recently partnered with SAP SE to implement a unified cloud-based ERP solution, enhancing operations and supply chain resilience, while its DitchCarbon Emissions Intelligence subscription enables suppliers to track and reduce their carbon emissions.

From partnership to innovative products, Emirates Steel is pioneering sustainable solutions and practices, supporting the U.A.E.’s push for net zero and joining the global fight for a decarbonized world.

https://www.emsteel.com

NOVEMBER 2024

21 LEADERBOARD

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Saeed Alghafri, CEO of Emirates Steel, part of EMSTEEL Group, explains how the company is leading the way in sustainability and decarbonization.

DARE TO DO DIFFERENTLY

CONTRARIAN • ENTREPRENEURS

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• ENTREPRENEURS

By Christopher Helman

CONTRARIAN

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Photograph by Cody Pickens for Forbes

Bling Billionaire Jewelers sell sentiment.

But MATTHEW STULLER made a ten-figure fortune in gold and diamonds by focusing on logistics, not love.

F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

NOVEMBER 2024

PATRICK WELSH FOR FORBES

Matthew Gordy Stuller was 15 when his mom dropped him off at the library in his hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana, so he could catch up on studying. An indifferent student, he ditched his books to wander around downtown and spotted a “going steady” ring in a jewelry store window that he thought might win over a particular girl. He persuaded the store owner to sell him the $39.99 ring, which succeeded in charming the young lady, for $5 down and $5 a week. “I’ve always been somewhat of a romantic,” he confides.

Yet sentiment has little to do with how Stuller, now 73, has become America’s wholesale jewelry king, with a net worth that Forbes estimates at more than $1 billion. Instead, he has built his fortune through a relentless focus on manufacturing processes, logistics and satisfying his retailer customers’ every need.

Stuller met that $5 weekly nut by delivering papers, mowing lawns and washing cars. He showed up every Saturday at 10 a.m. at the jewelry store to make his payment, then hung around to help. “They always needed their windows cleaned,” he recalls. Before long, he had a paid part-time job at the shop, where the bench jeweler taught him how to polish jewelry, size rings and set stones. “I loved it,” he says.

By his senior year of high school, Stuller was holing up late at night in the janitor’s closet at his father’s dental practice, repairing jewelry and experimenting with lost-wax casting (used by dentists to produce bridges and crowns) to fabricate missing parts like clasps and links. He still needed to buy certain items. Yet when he called the big distributors, he found them rude.

“It was like you were interrupting their day.

‘What do you want?’ ” Stuller knew he could do it better. So after graduating 68th in a high school class of 69 and enduring one semester at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, he dropped out to start selling wholesale to bench jewelers out of the back of his new 1970 Datsun 240Z. “Originally F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

By John Dobosz With brands that include Zales, Kay Jewelers and Jared, Signet Jewelers is the largest retailer of diamond jewelry in the United States, where it generated 91% of its $7.2 billion in sales in fiscal 2024 ended February 3. CEO Virginia Drosos is focused on profitability. Signet’s retail footprint shrank from 3,682 stores in 2018 to 2,676 as of April.

Acquisitions of online jewelry retailers Diamonds Direct in 2021 and Blue Nile in 2022 helped to more than triple online sales, from $498 million in 2018 to $1.6 billion in 2024. Over the same stretch, the company went from a $657 million loss to $810 million in net income. Even with earnings expected to decline 1% this year, Signet’s stock looks cheap, priced at 6.3 times earnings, a P/E ratio 33% below its five-year average of 9.4.

John Dobosz is editor of Forbes Billionaire Investor, Forbes Dividend Investor and Forbes Premium Income Report newsletters.

NOVEMBER 2024

23 CONTRARIAN • ENTREPRENEURS

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HOW TO PLAY IT

it was just strictly gold parts, because that’s all I could make,” he says. Soon after, he found a jewelry company in New Orleans that was going out of business and bought its inventory and rolling display cases with a postdated check for $4,500, which he barely covered with a loan from a local bank at which, not coincidentally, his father was a big customer. A few years later, when his dad retired, Stuller bought his dental offices to house his ever-expanding collection of equipment, including ovens, polishing devices and a centrifugal casting machine.

His dad also helped with a key piece of advice: Never take on a partner. “You will outwork a partner,” his father reasoned. So why share equity?

Today, a half-century later, Stuller’s eponymously named, still 100%-family-owned company remains headquartered in Lafayette, where it has its biggest production complex: 600,000 square feet of laboratories, manufacturing and packaging, employing 1,500 workers.

Add in production from smaller plants in Mexico, Thailand and India, and Stuller fulfills an average 6,000 orders a day including nearly 130,000 items, some sourced from other manufacturers. A primary ingredient: gold bars.

Stuller melts enough to make more than 200 pounds per day of gold alloys for casting.

The company books about $800 million in annual sales and throws off $80 million to $100 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda), Stuller says. Forbes estimates it’s worth at least $800 million. (The remainder of his fortune comes from the profits he has taken out of the operation.)

Stuller’s website highlights his wide range of products: jewelers’ tools, unmounted gemstones, engagement rings, bespoke bracelets. He says every jewelry retailer buys from him, even Tif­ fany, Harry Winston and Cartier. His biggest client is Signet Jewelers, the parent company of mall-based giants Kay Jewelers, Zales and Jared.

His secret sauce? Logistics. For years, Stuller personally hauled hundreds of tiny boxes to the post office. Then he started putting couriers on Greyhound buses. In 1981, he had a eureka moment when he met Fred Smith, founder and CEO of then-10-year-old FedEx. Today dedicated FedEx and UPS jets sit on the tarmac at the Lafayette airport waiting until Stuller’s last-minute packages get loaded at 8 p.m. If customers in the continental U.S. place orders by 5 p.m. their time, Stuller guarantees they’ll receive the items the next morning, provided they’re not custom-made. “I just get the greatest pleasure every day by shipping stuff on time,” he says.

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It’s a big relief for retailers, too, who don’t have to carry lots of (very expensive) inventory. “They can get rid of all their tackle boxes and trays for all the finger sizes. I will sell them anything they want,” Stuller says. Thirdgeneration New Orleans jeweler Coleman Adler says Stuller has brought the same revolution to jewelry stores that Sysco did to restaurants.

“You can get it somewhere else, and probably cheaper, but not all from the same place or as fast.”

Stuller will sell anything to anyone. In the early 2000s, he launched a new offering of cultured pearls from the South Seas and initially attempted to pump up his own margin by limiting how many jewelers he would sell to in any given market. “Customers complained: ‘What do you mean you’re not going to sell it to me?’ ” he says. He abandoned the exclusivity experiment after a few years. “That’s the trick for a good business: Let your customer make money; do not take the last dollar,” observes veteran diamond industry analyst Martin Rapaport.

Stuller was a De Beers “sightholder” from 2005 to 2015, one of the select few chosen to receive large shipments of rough stones from the world’s largest diamond miner. But he found it more trouble than it was worth. Better to buy what he needed from preferred dealers and leave the cutting of the highest-end stones to specialists.

That’s another key to Stuller’s success— focusing on what he can do better and more efficiently. In his custom “Gemvision” department, his employees transform a rough sketch of a piece of jewelry into a high-resolution three-dimensional computer file that they will 3D-print in plastic, ready for casting. That allows Stuller to quickly fulfill custom orders (many for athletes and celebrities) like a recent pair of $2.2 million, 13-carat earrings. “There isn’t anyone who can do what they do,” says Rick Norris of Rick’s Jewelers in California, Maryland, who has been a bench jeweler for 47 years and is a big Gemvision fan. “We used to do our own casting, but it’s usually cheaper for me to design the ring here and send them the CAD file rather than firing up the machine.”

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Midas Man Matt Stuller guards coils of gold alloy produced from gold bars and other metals in 1,000-degree hydrogen-burning ovens at his Louisiana factory. (Bottom) Freshly cast rings get an ultrasonic cleaning.

Stuller is astonished by advances in 3D printing and keen for more. “We can print in metal now, but the finishes aren’t right and there’s too much metal loss,” he says. Just give it a few years. “I need to be on the cutting edge.”

Take synthetic diamonds. Chemically these are real diamonds; they’re just grown over weeks in machines rather than formed over eons in the earth, and they sell at retail for about a tenth of the price of the traditional kind. Of the millionplus diamonds of 0.2 carats or larger that Stuller sells each year, 80% are now man-made. But, true to form, he isn’t sentimental about the decline of pricey natural diamonds. He’ll make up for it in volume. “We will sell tenfold more diamond jewelry in the future than we sell today.”

FI N AL TH OU GH T

“I TEND TO SPLURGE FOR CONVENIENCE. I’LL PAY A LOT NOT TO WASTE TIME.” —A.D. Posey NOVEMBER 2024

PRO M OTI O N Scan this QR code to open the website

AI and the Giga-Projects Shaping the Middle East Federico Pienovi, Chief Business Officer & CEO for APAC & MENA at Globant, explains how AI is transforming today’s world, and why the Middle East is at the leading edge of change.

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he Middle East is transforming technologically, with AI at its center. The region is rapidly evolving into a global hub for innovation, driven by giga-projects that serve as platforms for AI integration on an unprecedented scale. In Saudi Arabia, projects like NEOM, Qiddiya, and Red Sea represent more than just urban planning innovations; they are cognitive cities where AI is embedded into daily life.

From predictive infrastructure maintenance to AI-driven resource management, these cities are designed to learn and adapt in real-time. This approach enhances efficiency and redefines the relationship between citizens and their environment.

AI-Driven Innovation in Key Sectors Artificial intelligence offers transformative capabilities across industries. In media and entertainment, we are moving beyond simple recommendation algorithms. We are developing systems that can predict and even shape cultural trends, potentially revolutionizing content creation and distribution models. AI plays a more strategic role in sports, enhancing athlete training, injury prevention, and in-game decisionmaking. The entire fan experience is being transformed by it and the shift could fundamentally alter how sports are played and consumed.

Meanwhile, the hospitality sector is also evolving; AI systems are being developed to anticipate guest needs, offering seamless

Federico Pienovi, Chief Business Officer & CEO for APAC & MENA at Globant

experiences that bridge service with intuition.

At Globant, this moment represents a critical juncture for AI, marking a shift in real-time development across industries.

The Middle East: The Next Global Hub for AI The Middle East can potentially become the next global center for AI. Its forward-thinking leadership, significant investments, and robust infrastructure are creating fertile ground for entrepreneurs and tech companies. The ecosystem is designed to nurture innovation, accelerate startups, and push the limits of technology. The region’s ambitions are unparalleled, and its influence on global AI development is growing.

The Future of Work As AI reshapes industries, it is generating new job opportunities, many of which were inconceivable

The expressed inOthis F O Rthoughts BESMIDD L E E A S T.C M advertorial are those of the client.

just a few years ago. However, these opportunities will be accessible only to those prepared to adapt and continuously learn. Just as digital influencers, YouTubers, and streamers carved out entirely new careers from platforms that barely existed a decade ago, AI will pave the way for similar transformations. We are already witnessing the rise of roles such as AI ethics specialists and virtual environment designers.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant future; it is here now, offering new horizons for those willing to embrace it.

Moving From Hype to Impact The Middle East’s move from AI hype to large-scale implementation offers lessons for the global community.

AI’s real value lies in transforming entire systems and societies, not just in isolated innovations. Projects like NEOM may draw attention, but the real challenge is embedding AI into complex social, economic, and regulatory frameworks, requiring strong infrastructure, governance, and skilled talent. The Middle East’s bold vision will face implementation challenges, but as initiatives progress, they are setting the global standard for AI adoption.

https://www.globant.com/ NOVEMBER 2024

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Top 10 Talent Managers

Making Moves in the Middle East The Middle East’s media and entertainment sector was valued at $41.13 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $59.10 billion by 2029, according to Mordor Intelligence. Celebrities and influencers are playing a key role in the economy, and dedicated agencies are there to provide expertise to navigate this landscape.

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Celebrities and influencers need strategic support to manage their public image and brand partnerships online and offline. From behind the scenes, talent agencies are supporting Arab stars like Nancy Ajram, Elissa, Mohamed Ramadan, Ahmed Saad, and Yasmine Sabri. Some also work with international figures such as Christiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Megan Fox, Irina Shayk, Lewis Hamilton, and Nelly Furtado.

Our list of the Top 10 Talent Managers Making Moves in the Middle East highlights 12 leaders managing 10 agencies that are shaping success for some of the region’s most influential singers, actors, and internet personalities. Where one agency had two managers it was counted as one entry.

It focuses on agencies that primarily represent celebrities and influencers as clients, not those focused on purely PR or bookings. Of the 12 leaders, eight are based in the U.A.E., three in Egypt, and one in Lebanon.

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Hady Hajjar

• Cofounder & CEO • Company: HuManagement Nationality: Lebanese Headquarters: U.A.E. Residence: U.A.E. Established in: 2015 HuManagement works with global and regional celebrities and influencers like Christiano Ronaldo, Georgina Rodriguez, Megan Fox, Eva Longoria, Naomi Campbell, Huda Kattan, Neymar, Khabane Lame (Khaby), Nora Fatehi, Elissa, Maya Diab, Yasmine Sabri, Nour Ghandour, Dalia Mubarak, Salma Abu Deif, and Nancy Ajram, among others. In 2023, Warner Music Group announced a strategic investment in the company.

HuManagement contributes to events like the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Riyadh Season activations, the Red Sea Film Festival, Abu Dhabi and Dubai tourism activations, such as Formula 1 and NBA in Abu Dhabi. Before HuManagement, Hajjar spent nearly 15 years as chief marketing officer at Rotana Audio Visual.

NOVEMBER 2024

PHOTOGRAPH BY ABDELRAZAK ABDELHAMID FOR FORBES MIDDLE EAST

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NOVEMBER 2024

Alaa Karkouti; Maher Diab 2

• Cofounders Company: MAD Solutions Nationality: Syrian; Lebanese Headquarters: Egypt Residence: Egypt/U.A.E. Established in: 2010 Karkouti and Diab cofounded MAD Solutions in Cairo in 2010 as a distributor of Arabic-language film content. It currently operates in the U.A.E., the U.S., and Portugal, with representatives in Tunisia, Morocco, Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon. Its subsidiary MAD Celebrity manages Arab celebrities, providing full talent publicity management, festival exposure, and consultancy. It manages actors Youssra, Menna Shalaby, Ali Suliman, Saba Mubarak, Kinda Alloush, Razane Jammal, Ahmed Malek, Tara Emad, and Huda El Mufti, among others. MAD Celebrity has three divisions: MAD Celebrity for established actors, MAD Rising Celebrity for rising talents, and MAD Crew Celebrity for camera crew. Mohamed Hatem, who appeared in the Emmy-nominated series ‘Every Week Has a Friday’ joined MAD Celebrity in October 2024.

Karkouti and Diab also founded the Arab Cinema Center in 2015.

3

Gosia Golda

• Founder & CEO Company: The MMG Nationality: Polish Headquarters: U.A.E. Residence: U.A.E. Established in: 2008 Golda established The MMG in 2008.

The MMG has four main divisions: MMG Models, MMG Artists, MMG Talent, and MMG Art Productions. The company manages global and local celebrities and influencers, including Lucy Hale, Alessandra Ambrosio, Irina Shayk, Georgina Rodríguez, Novak Djokovic, Lewis Hamilton, Nelly Furtado, Halima, Saba Mubarak, Kriti Sanon, Huda Kattan, and Mona Kattan. In 2024, The MMG ran campaigns for Carolina Herrera, Huda Beauty, BERLUTI, Ounass, Valentino, Riyadh Air, Jimmy Choo, and Bahrain Tourism. Golda has 20 years of experience in the luxury retail market.

F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

Gosia Golda

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Mido Helmy

• Cofounder & CEO Company: Brand Stamp Nationality: Egyptian Headquarters: Egypt Residence: Egypt Established in: 2016 Helmy cofounded Brand Stamp in 2016, which provides multiple services from social media management, digital marketing, media production, photography, graphic design, and branding. The company works with Arab stars like Assala Nasri, Saber Rebai, Dorra Zarouk, Ramy Sabry, and the band Wust El Balad, among others. Before Brand Stamp, Helmy freelanced as a digital media manager from 2010.

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Reem & Natalya Kanj

• Cofounders of EGO & EAST; Partners at Maison Pyramide Company: EGO & EAST – Maison Pyramide Nationality: Lebanese Headquarters: U.A.E. Residence: U.A.E. Established in: 2016 Sisters and business partners Reem and Natalya Kanj founded EGO & EAST in

2016. In 2022, they announced its merger with Maison Pyramide. The agency covers MENA, France, Italy, and the U.S. EGO & EAST represents regional celebrities like Karen Wazen, Mo Al Turki, Noor Taher, Rakeen Saad, Zeyne, and Nora & Khalid across regional and international campaigns.

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Ossama Youssef

• Founder & CEO Company: Diwan Videos Nationality: Egyptian Headquarters: U.A.E. Residence: U.A.E. Established in: 2010 Youssef established Diwan Videos in 2010, before moving the headquarters to Dubai in 2013. Today, the company operates in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Türkiye, Pakistan, Morocco, and India. It manages hundreds of influencer accounts, generating 2.5 billion views monthly, and amassing more than 600 million followers. Since its inception, it has delivered around 3,000 campaigns for more than 200 brands and celebrities across 14 industries, including automotive, beauty and cosmetics, celebrities, and sports. Its clients include Mohamed Alabbar, Mohamed Ramadan, Ahmed Saad, Yasmine Sabri, Ameer Karara, Saif Nabeel, Noor Stars, Narin’s Beauty, and Falcons Esports.

NOVEMBER 2024

IMAGE FROM SOURCE

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NOVEMBER 2024

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Ghassan Chartouni

• Founder & CEO Company: Music Is My Life Nationality: Lebanese Headquarters: Lebanon Residence: Lebanon

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Established in: 2000

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Chartouni founded Glava Holding in 2000, under which he established Music Is My Life to manage and launch musical artists, offering comprehensive services like artist management, booking, branding, and counseling. Today it works with artists like Nassif Zeytoun, YARA, Rahma Riad, Al Shami, and Sarah Farah, among others.

Chartouni also owns and oversees other divisions of Glava Holding such as Watary Digital, and e-Music is My Life, which helps artists gain visibility and generate income through digital channels.

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Omar Hmaidat

• Cofounder & CEO Company: XPOZED; DMS Group Nationality: Jordanian Headquarters: U.A.E.; Jordan Residence: U.A.E. Established in: 2024; 2021

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Dina Dash

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Mohamad Fattal

• Founder & CEO

• Founder & CEO

Company: DASH Management

Company: Alfan

Nationality: Egyptian

Nationality: Canadian

Headquarters: Egypt

Headquarters: U.A.E.

Residence: Egypt

Residence: U.A.E.

Established in: 2015

Established in: 2017

Dash founded DASH Management in 2015, which specializes in talent management and strategic consulting in Egypt, with a network of influencers across Egypt, the U.A.E., and Saudi Arabia. The agency works with influencers and celebrities, including Alanoud Badr “Fozaza,” Enjy Kiwan, Karim Fahmy, Sherif Fayed, Aly Mazhar, Soraya Shawky, Amira Adeeb, and Ahmed Dash among others. The agency has run campaigns for Banque Misr, Telda, Floward, KIKO Milano, and Juhayna Egypt. Dash also owns the fashion label MFNS. Dash had 1.9 million followers on Instagram and 1.3 million on TikTok as of October 2024.

Fattal founded Alfan in 2017. Today, the company represents over 28,000 content creators and has enabled influencers to partner with brands, including Huawei, HungerStation, Airalo, Trendyol, and Temu, among others. Alfan provides tools and solutions to help content creators including Osama Marwah, Omar Farooq, Ahmad Aburob, and Amr Maskoun. Between March and April 2024, the company launched the HungerStation Ramadan campaign with 200 of its content creators, generating over 120 million views. In September 2024, Alfan gathered 80 creators for the Huawei GT5 launch campaign, generating over 100 million views.

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Methodology To be considered, the agencies had to be directly managing celebrities or some of their campaigns, social media, or other forms. To compile this list, we reviewed: • The number of celebrities and influencers being managed by the agency • The level of fame of the celebrities and influencers being managed by the agency • The campaigns run by the agency • Total reach on social media, across all its work during 2024 or of a specific campaign or celebrity, if available.

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IMAGE FROM SOURCE

Dina Dash

Digital media company XPOZED was founded in 2024 and works with regional influencers, including Wessam Qutob, Raghda, Akhras, Noë l Kharman, Ghaliaa, Abdullah Tahhan, and Mohammad Nabeel. The company specializes in social media management, branding, content creation, and production. XPOZED was the official Meta partner for Music Loves Threads. Hmaidat is also the CEO and cofounder of the marketing services agency DMS Group.

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On Track for Legendary Status As HALA pursues new growth and a possible IPO, the Riyadh-based fintech joins an elite pack with induction into the Saudi Unicorns Program.

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s a pioneer in SME banking, HALA Payments is on a mission to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to start and grow their businesses. Founded in 2018 by Esam Alnahdi and Maher Loubieh, HALA has already facilitated over $7 billion in transactions, serving more than 110,000 merchants across Saudi Arabia. Now, after six years of exponential growth, the Riyadhbased fintech has been inducted into the Saudi Unicorns Program as it pursues global expansion and eyes a potential IPO. The Saudi Unicorns Program, run by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in collaboration with the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation ‘Misk’, supports Saudi Vision 2030 by fostering innovation, economic diversification, and digital transformation. The program provides companies with opportunities to expand into new markets, attract and develop talent, access investment, and connect with global experts. These advantages

will accelerate HALA’s growth and enhance its ability to innovate and expand its digital financial solutions to the region and beyond.

HALA’s inclusion in the Saudi Unicorns Program signifies not just a business milestone but its deep commitment to Saudi Vision 2030. The fintech’s mission aligns with the Kingdom’s goals of economic diversification and digital transformation, and as its footprint grows across geographies, HALA is not only scaling its business but also contributing to Saudi Arabia’s position as a leader in fintech innovation.

Empowering MSMEs to Drive Economic Growth With a strong mission to enable SMEs, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, HALA is focused on providing an innovative, digital-first banking experience. As one of the first fintechs to be regulated by the Saudi Central Bank as an EMI Financial Institution, in addition to acquiring a lending license, HALA offers a comprehensive range of financial services including IBAN accounts, payment cards,

The expressed inOthis F O Rthoughts BESMIDD L E E A S T.C M advertorial are those of the client.

and lending and point-of-sale solutions. This extensive product portfolio caters to the evolving needs of the SME sector, a key source of job creation and economic empowerment in Saudi Arabia.

From Digital Wallet to Banking Pioneer HALA’s journey began as one of Saudi Arabia’s first consumer mobile wallets, designed to enable digital payments via QR codes. However, recognizing an underserved SME market segment, the company pivoted in 2020 to focus on financial services for SMEs—a crucial yet underserved group in Saudi Arabia and other frontier markets. This shift laid the foundation for HALA’s rapid growth.

Today, HALA’s innovative approach includes lending products that offer SMEs flexible financing options by connecting them with a diverse group of investors. This product speaks directly to HALA’s broader goal of fostering financial inclusion and disrupting challenges faced by small businesses in frontier markets.

Looking to the future, the fintech aims to extend its SME banking solutions to the MENA region and beyond. With the support of the Saudi Unicorns Program and its alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, HALA is on the fast track to becoming a key player in the region’s fintech ecosystem, revolutionizing how small businesses access financial services.

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Esam AlNahdi and Maher Loubieh, Co-founders of HALA

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El Gouna’s New Waterfront Destination

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Mohamed Amer, CEO of El Gouna, introduces Tuban El Gouna, a tranquil waterfront district featuring luxury senior living and high returns on investment.

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ince 1989, Egypt’s El Gouna has been attracting discerning residents, businesses, and visitors to its shores. The town’s stunning Red Sea location, wide-ranging facilities, and true sense of belonging make it the perfect location to raise a family, start a business, or spend life’s golden years surrounded by friends, sunshine, and world-class amenities.

Catering to the needs of a vibrant intergenerational community, the fully integrated town from Orascom Development is dynamic and ever evolving, and its latest introduction, Tuban El Gouna, sets new standards in luxury living for residents who cherish ease, comfort, and the finer things in life.

A Standout District in an Outstanding Town El Gouna’s largest multi-purpose district to date, Tuban connects seamlessly with residential and commercial neighborhoods, making it an ideal blend of convenience and sophistication. The district spans over one million square meters and is just minutes away on foot from El Gouna hospital, Downtown, and G Valley, which fosters a robust business ecosystem for SMEs and entrepreneurs.

For the CEO of El Gouna, Mohamed Amer, the arrival of Tuban is groundbreaking, especially when it comes to the district’s laser focus on the needs of senior residents.

“The development integrates residential, commercial, hospitality, and for the first time luxury senior living offerings that cater to the needs of residents and promote an inclusive environment, into one

Mohamed Amer, CEO of El Gouna

central location,” says the chief executive.

Tuban offers three marinas, a boutique hotel, and parks that provide opportunities for leisure, relaxation, and social interaction. It also features a central promenade, which encourages relaxed strolls and fosters a sense of community.

Meanwhile, retail outlets and dining options are conveniently located within the district, ensuring that residents have access to essential services and recreational activities just steps away from their homes.

According to Amer, the project reinforces El Gouna’s status as a spectacular, fully integrated destination. Spanning over 36.9 million square meters and features a stunning 12-kilometer shoreline

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along the Red Sea, El Gouna is celebrated for its harmonious blend of nature, refined living, modern amenities, and incredible experiences that make it a serene haven for residents and tourists alike. The town’s infrastructure includes 18 hotels, four marinas, two 18-hole championship golf courses, and a wide range of dining and entertainment options. Its cultural scene is also a significant draw; the town hosts events such as the El Gouna Film Festival, Forbes ME Under 30 Summit, international squash tournaments, the international Oceanman, and many more. For the CEO, these cultural and social events bring a “worldly energy to the town,” attracting people from across continents.

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These homes are not just a place to live; they are designed to offer a lifestyle centered on opulence, comfort, and nature Sustainable Seaside Living Tuban Waterfalls is an expression of El Gouna’s wider commitment to sustainability. Indeed, sustainability is a cornerstone of the town’s development philosophy, and Tuban upholds it through the integration of eco-friendly features. The district prioritizes energy-efficient buildings, lush green spaces, and water management systems, while its design incorporates clean energy and sustainable waste management practices, echoing the broader environmental initiatives that have earned El Gouna global recognition.

“These sustainable elements do not merely enhance the district’s aesthetic but also improve the quality of life for its residents, who can enjoy a modern lifestyle with minimal environmental impact,” explains Amer. “This focus on sustainability aligns Tuban with El Gouna’s ambition to set a global standard for sustainable seaside living.”

An Investment Worth Making According to Amer, Tuban presents a compelling investment opportunity due to its central location and growing demand for premium properties in El Gouna. As the town continues to evolve into a premier

The expressed inOthis F O Rthoughts BESMIDD L E E A S T.C M advertorial are those of the client.

seaside haven, Tuban’s prime positioning is likely to drive steady appreciation in property values.

“Investors can expect strong returns, supported by a blend of modern amenities and proximity to key attractions and services, making it desirable for both Egyptian and international buyers,” says the CEO, adding that the district’s alignment with El Gouna’s long-term vision ensures sustained growth and investment potential.

The Perfect Combination The potential for strong returns on investment combined with a lifestyle that blends sustainability, luxury, community, and convenience, make Tuban El Gouna the perfect choice for residents across generations all seeking to live life to the full.

www.elgouna.com NOVEMBER 2024

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An Array of Residential Options Tuban’s array of activities and amenities is unmatched, but with a collection of luxury accommodation, staying at home can be just as appealing as going out. The district offers a range of residential units, including apartments, standalone villas, and terraced houses that provide unobstructed views of an open-to-sea lagoon, creating a sense of serenity. Across categories, each residence is designed with an emphasis on privacy and comfort, while the district’s thoughtful layout ensures that homes are close to essential services and leisure amenities. “These homes are not just a place to live; they are designed to offer a lifestyle centered on opulence, comfort, and nature,” says Amer.

Tuban Waterfalls is the first residential phase of the project and is due for completion by Q1 2027. It features an exquisite collection of townhouses and apartments, meticulously designed in collaboration with the renowned Mexican architect Hector Barroso, with a master plan crafted by globally acclaimed engineering firm, EDSA. Tuban Waterfalls stands out for its unique architectural design that draws inspiration from Egypt’s natural landscapes. The homes are built to complement the natural terrain, incorporating cascading levels to create a visually dynamic community, with serene waterfalls enhancing the sense of tranquility.

Each residence is designed to optimize natural light, ventilation, and privacy, ensuring a living environment that feels as connected to nature as it is to contemporary design. Architect Hector Barroso has skillfully blended modern design elements with traditional aesthetics, creating a community that is both elegant and sustainable.

• COVER STORY •

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STAR POWER Hady Hajjar, Cofounder and CEO of talent management agency HuManagement, often rubs shoulders with superstars, but behind the glitz and glamor, he’s expanding in an industry being forever changed by influencers and making deals to open Arab talent up to the world.

BY CLAUDINE COLETTI F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

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Hady Hajjar, Cofounder and CEO of talent management agency HuManagement.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ABDELRAZAK ABDELHAMID FOR FORBES MIDDLE EAST

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Most people at one point have probably dreamed of what it’s like to be famous, or at least to be close to someone who is. Today, it’s arguably become a lot easier to find out. Whereas in the past having a chance at becoming a celebrity meant being exceptionally skilled at an art like singing or acting, in a modern world where life is lived through social media, influencers and content creators on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are redefining what it means to be famous, and brands and businesses are paying attention.

Hady Hajjar, Cofounder and CEO of Dubai-based talent management agency HuManagement, has seen firsthand how social media has changed the advertising, marketing, and entertainment industries, having spent the last 25 years in the business. “It’s certainly been a game-changer. In the past, celebrities held all the spotlight. But with the rise of influencer marketing, the industry was completely transformed,” he agrees. “Between 2015 and 2018, influencers were at their peak, and now nearly everyone—brands, government, and corporations—turns to influencers to reach their audience within their marketing campaigns. However, celebrities remain the crown jewels, sitting at the top of the chain when it comes to brand collaborations.”

As the parameters of fame have expanded so has the industry around it. Influencers are now powerhouses, with big brands, governments, and businesses scrambling to infiltrate their posts and access their followers, and they’ll pay handsomely to do so. While there are no unified price brackets for how much celebrities and influencers can earn for marketing, their earning potential, if they hit the big league, is clearly considerable.

According to demandsage, in 2024, a mid-tier influencer with between 10,000 and 100,000 followers could earn an average of $1,211 per post. Meanwhile, megastars like Cristiano Ronaldo, with over 925.7 million followers across Instagram, Facebook, and X,

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can command well over $2.4 million per post. As such, being an internet sensation is now an attractive career for young people. A 2022 study by HigherVisibility revealed that up to 41% of surveyed U.S.-based Gen-Z respondents wanted to be a social media influencer.

More recent reports suggest that by the end of 2023, that figure was more like 57%.

Hajjar knows this better than anyone. Having established HuManagement from a laptop in his living room in 2015, he has since expanded the company exponentially following growing demand from creators and clients. Today, it has four offices in the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the Levant and employs around 90 people. With more than 500 artists and content creators on its books—covering singers, musicians, actors, content creators, and media personalities, from megastars to up-and-comers—Hajjar says HuManagement is today valued at $45 million.

Future growth may follow a regional trend. The Middle East’s media and entertainment market was worth $41.1 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $59.1 billion by 2029, according to Mordor Intelligence.

“We manage how to interact with clients, how to handle celebrities in client settings, what to wear, and even how to communicate the smallest details. It’s far more complex than it appears.”

Still, HuManagement is picky about who it takes on. “Our goal isn’t to represent everyone. We carefully select individuals with whom we share values and principles and where we know we can make a meaningful impact. We look for people who are capable of and open to building a foundation of trust with us,” Hajjar explains. Some of the stars on the company’s books today include Maya Diab, Elissa, Huda Kattan, Majid Almohandis, and Muhannad Hamdi, among a host of other well-known names. “You name it, we get it,” insists Hajjar. “Name any celebrity you want in the world and we’ll get them for you.”

Last year, HuManagement’s position in the market received further a boost when Warner Music acquired 10% of the company through a strategic investment in October 2023. The deal establishes a long-term A&R scouting agreement and marketing and branding

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opportunities and allows Warner Music to identify and Hajjar started with the Rotana Music Group as amplify HuManagement artists with the potential to a marketing coordinator and left 15 years later as integrate them into its global network. the group’s chief marketing officer. In between, he “Living in a place like the U.A.E., where major managed marketing campaigns for over 120 artists, deals are constantly unfolding, is truly inspiring,” six TV channels, three radio networks, a periodical says Hajjar, while revealing that the cofounders magazine, and a chain of coffee shops. But while had previously courted proposals from five investor dealing with some of the Arab world’s biggest singing groups. However, while none of them felt like the icons and honing his skills, he was also nurturing an right fit, Warner offered a unique opportunity. entrepreneurial idea. He was only halfway through his “Having a global player like Warner invest in tenure with Rotana when he first registered the name Humanagement is a powerful affirmation of our HuManagement as a trade license in 2008. presence. It serves as a bridge between two cultures, In 2015, Hajjar left Rotana and began officially creating new connections. It was a significant step establishing HuManagement with his business partner forward—not only for HuManagement and Warner Tarek Abou Jaoude, a fellow Lebanese music manager but for the entire industry in the region,” he adds. and entrepreneur. With no external funding, sitting Both Saudi’s Dalia Mubarak and Maya Diab are now at his home in Dubai, Hajjar reached out to artists, under Warner Music’s umbrella. influencers, and potential clients. “I used to do the For Alfonso Perez-Soto, President of Emerging contract, the invoicing, I used to go meet the people Markets at Warner Music, the deal offers Warner and present, and I used to execute, so it was a kind of artists new prospects. “As we continue to grow our one-man show,” he recalls. operations in the Middle East and establish ourselves as market leaders, it’s imperative that we offer our artists an unrivaled service,” he explains. “By partnering with HuManagement, we are further enhancing the value we can provide to our roster and can guarantee them rounded end-to-end support, for the likes of live shows, sponsorships, and brand developments.”

The global deal was another leap in a journey that has seen Hajjar make many bold moves. As a child, he grew up in southern Lebanon but was forced to relocate to Beirut Last year, HuManagement’s position in the market received further a boost when Warner with his family at five years old when Music acquired 10% of the company through a strategic investment in October 2023. war broke out in the mid-70s. While trying to fit in with new friends at a new school he joined the basketball team and quickly At the same time as Hajjar was setting up his own became a star player. “I think maybe this is why I was talent management agency, the whole definition of attracted to fame and celebrities – maybe it’s meant to talent was changing. Social media was booming and be,” he muses. the rise of the influencer had begun. The cofounders Years later, as a fresh marketing graduate, a friend began signing their first campaigns with clients, of Hajjar who was working for the Rotana Music connecting with influencers, and growing their Group—one of the Middle East’s largest record portfolio, focusing on actors, actresses, sports people, labels—asked for his help creating a marketing and content creators. Revenues in the first couple presentation. The executives were impressed with of years largely came from influencer marketing what they saw and asked to speak to him. It was the campaigns, according to the CEO. year 2000, and he was just 20 years old. “They called Hajjar admits that when he first started, he signed me on a Wednesday, and on Friday I started working almost everyone, but as their portfolio and reputation at Rotana,” he remembers. grew, the team began to filter. The first celebrity

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Tyler Perry

Money-Makers In 2023, Forbes ranked the world’s highest-paid entertainers based on their 2022 earnings.

Collectively, they pulled in more than $1.3 billion.

1. Genesis Rock Band 2022 earnings: $230 million 2. Sting Singer/Songwriter $210 million 3. Tyler Perry Actor/Director/Writer Stay connected $175 million with our latest business news.

4. Trey Parker & Matt Stone Creators of South Park $160 million 5. James L. Brooks & Matt Groening Creators of The Simpsons $105 million 6. Brad Pitt Actor/Producer $100 million 7. Rolling Stones Rock Band $98 million 8. James Cameron Director $95 million 9. Taylor Swift Singer/Songwriter $92 million 10. Bad Bunny $88 million

and correcting the problem.” In just one day a higher-profile star was found, HuManagement covered the additional costs, the client was happy, and the team learned from the experience.

On another occasion, Hajjar pitched for a project for McDonald’s before an international football tournament. The client had requested six regional football players for a campaign. HuManagement sourced the players, negotiated the budgets, built the creatives, and arrived to present the plan to the CEO. It was a Thursday afternoon, back when the U.A.E. followed a Sunday-to-Thursday working week. “The CEO asks, what if he doesn’t want to proceed with six regional players? What if he wants one international player? He asked me, can you access Neymar and get me a deal by Sunday?” recalls Hajjar. “Back then, in the meeting, I had no idea how to reach him, but I said yes. Consider it done.”

Hajjar went straight to work sourcing contacts and hitting up his network. By Sunday they had a proposal; by Monday they had signed Neymar. The following week they were filming in Barcelona.

As he continues to expand HuManagement, Hajjar says that they’re open to further strategic investments if the right partnership comes up. In the long term, he hopes for an IPO, but thriving in such a high-energy industry is not for the faint-hearted. According to him, success in the talent management industry requires someone proactive, wise, patient, and very good at communication. Success as a content creator or artist requires other x-factors, including talent, consistency, and luck.

“In this industry, many can sell you big dreams, but the formula for success remains elusive. After 25 years in the business, I’d be lying if I said I knew exactly how to make a hit song, the formula is complicated,” admits the entrepreneur. “What you can do is keep giving your best and stay consistent.

Above all though, having strong management is key.”

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singer the team signed was Lebanese singer and TV personality Maya Diab in 2018, who is still on the company’s books. Today, HuManagement manages campaigns with some of the biggest regional names in the business, as well as international stars. Its clients include iconic brands such as Dior, Samsung, Disney, and Nike. One of its biggest campaigns in 2024 was a partnership with Empire International as ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ premiered in the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia. HuManagement ensured that prominent influencers were both on the ground bringing attention to the event and in the sky traveling by private jet with superstars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as they jetted between the two countries.

Still, Hajjar is keen to point out that the life of a talent manager isn’t all parties and private jets. “People often think it’s an easy job, full of afterparties, concerts, red carpets, and photo shoots—that’s what they see. But behind the scenes, it’s a whole different story,” he insists. “We study each celebrity closely—their moods, psychology, every detail. We manage how to interact with clients, how to handle celebrities in client settings, what to wear, and even how to communicate the smallest details. It’s far more complex than it appears.”

For a talent manager, challenges can arise from both celebrity and client demands. Hajjar recalls one crisis management incident during a big project with Coca-Cola. HuManagement had signed a celebrity to be a brand ambassador for a multi-million-dollar campaign. Contracts were signed, a shoot was booked, and production teams were hired, but on the day before filming was due to begin, the celebrity missed their flight and was unresponsive to all attempts to contact them. “As agents, we’re accountable for the artist’s behavior, so we accepted the blame,” says Hajjar. “But solving the issue is twofold: 50% is taking responsibility, and the other 50% is actively addressing

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Preserving Financial Innovation and Legacy Under the leadership of CEO Said Zater, Contact Financial Holding is safeguarding the financial legacies of its clients and playing a role in Egypt’s economic growth.

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s a leader in Egypt’s nonbanking financial services sector, Contact Financial Holding has set the standard for innovative financing solutions, helping businesses and individuals navigate an ever-changing economic landscape. Led by Said Zater, CEO of Contact Financial Holding and President of the Egyptian Federation for Consumer Finance, the company has developed a deep understanding of its clientele’s financial needs and ambitions. With decades of experience, Contact continues to play a vital role in advancing Egypt’s economic growth.

Contact Financial Holding’s story is one of innovation, perseverance, and commitment to fostering financial stability. A pioneer in Egypt’s financial services sector, the company has continuously adapted to market changes, offering a wide range of financial products, including consumer finance, mortgage, insurance, securitization, sukuk, leasing, and digital payment solutions powered by AI. Its ability to cater to the diverse needs of private individuals and large enterprises has made Contact a trusted partner across Egypt and beyond.

As CEO, Zater’s forward-thinking strategy has positioned Contact as a leader in financial innovation.

With a focus on sustainability and operational excellence, the company has achieved significant milestones, further cementing its reputation as a thought leader in the region.

Said Zater, CEO of Contact Financial Holding

A key factor in Contact’s success is its customer-centric approach.

Similar to the family office model that emphasizes personalized service, Contact tailors its offerings to meet each client’s specific financial needs. Whether providing consumer finance for everyday purchases or developing sophisticated financial solutions for large-scale corporate projects, Contact works closely with its clients to ensure their goals are achieved.

This dedication has earned the company a loyal customer base and recognition as a leader in nonbanking financial services.

One of Contact’s most significant contributions to the economy is its role in promoting consumer finance. As President of the Egyptian Federation for Consumer Finance, Zater is a key

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advocate for consumer finance as a tool for economic empowerment.

With Egypt’s growing population and increasing demand for financial services, consumer finance has become critical in empowering individuals to access credit and supporting small business development.

Looking ahead, Contact Financial Holding is also pursuing international expansion. Following its successful entry into Kenya’s leasing market, the company has already established a new, fully owned subsidiary in Dubai, marking its official presence in the U.A.E. With a focus on serving Egyptian expatriates in the GCC region, this expansion underscores Contact’s commitment to leveraging its expertise on a global scale and meeting the growing demand for financial services among expatriates.

As Contact Financial Holding continues to grow, its core values of innovation, responsibility, and client focus remain at the heart of its success. Under Said Zater’s leadership, the company is wellpositioned to remain a trusted partner, contributing to regional economic prosperity while preserving the financial legacies of the individuals and businesses it serves.

www.contact.eg NOVEMBER 2024

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The Rise of Plant-Based Diets 40

Edward Hamod, Founder and CEO of Switch Foods, explores the increasing global shift towards plant-based diets and explains how Switch Foods is at the forefront of the movement, providing locally crafted, nutritious produce.

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lant-based foods are taking the world by storm, offering a healthier and more sustainable way of eating.

Whether driven by personal wellbeing, ethics, or environmental responsibility, more people are making the switch. Experts predict that by 2040, only 40% of the global population will still consume meat. What was once rooted in traditional cultures is now a global movement, demonstrating that a plantforward diet is not only possible but also powerful.

For those accustomed to a meat-centric diet, transitioning to plant-based options might seem daunting. However, with today’s advancements in plantbased meats, it has never been easier. Switch products are designed to deliver bold flavors and satisfying textures that even the most devoted meat lovers can appreciate. From juicy plant-based burgers to local favorites like Kabab and Kafta, the choices are abundant. You can now find these alternatives in supermarkets and restaurants, making it simple to enjoy healthier, more sustainable meals without sacrificing taste or convenience.

Is a plant-based diet the right choice for you? The answer is yes.

At Switch, we believe, like most health and wellness authorities globally, that the need to reduce conventional meat intake is not only an option but a necessity.

Unlike meat, Switch plant-based

Edward Hamod, Founder and CEO of Switch Foods Edward Hamod, Founder and CEO alternatives are cholesterol-free, of Switch Foods low in fat, and packed with essential nutrients. Studies indicate that individuals on plant-based diets experience reduced cholesterol levels, improved heart health, and lower risks of chronic diseases.

Additionally, Switch products are free from hormones and antibiotics commonly found in conventional meats, and we are transparent about our ingredients, ensuring customers know exactly what is in their food.

A standout ingredient in today’s plant-based revolution is pea protein. It is a nutritional powerhouse that is incredibly clean and versatile.

Pea protein is rich in essential amino acids, easy to digest, and free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), allergens, lactose, and

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gluten—making it an excellent option for those with dietary restrictions.

Plant-based foods also benefit the planet. Studies show that producing plant-based meat uses up to 97% less land, 90% less water, and 30-50% less energy compared to traditional meat. This results in a carbon footprint up to 40 times smaller.

Even small dietary changes can help conserve precious resources and reduce pollution, one meal at a time.

Despite the rising popularity of plant-based foods, some still hesitate, unsure if the available options measure up to meat.

The truth is, today’s plant-based products can offer the same great taste and nutritional value as traditional meats.

At Switch Foods, we believe everyone deserves access to healthier, sustainable options that fit their lifestyle. We are committed to offering locally crafted, plantbased products that cater to the unique tastes of our region. Through partnerships with top retailers, hotels, and restaurants, along with clear labeling, we make plant-based eating easier and more accessible than ever.

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30 UNDER 30 • SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Taking the Stage Lebanese DJ Chloe Kteily mixes Arabic music with new beats to create a modern sound that opens up traditional Arabic music to a younger audience.

In a world where male DJs still take the lead, she’s showing what the next generation of female artists can do.

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BY LAYAN ABO SHKIER

eing a DJ isn’t a typical career path, and for many, the nuances of the job remain a mystery. Unlike more traditional professions, DJing blends technical skill, creativity, and the ability to read a room—all while working in high-pressure, live settings. Few understand the countless hours of practice behind the decks or the strategic thinking required to build a personal brand in such a competitive industry. For Lebanese DJ, Chloe Kteily, this journey has been anything but ordinary, from her beginnings as a classical musician in Lebanon to becoming a professional DJ and music producer.

As a young female DJ, Kteily has already faced some challenges in breaking into the industry, but now she’s sharing the stage next to some of the region’s most famous names. In February 2024, Kteily performed in front of over 40,000 people at the Al Manara Arena in Cairo where she opened for the Egyptian singing legend Amr Diab. “It was an unforgettable experience,” Kteily recalls. “It was a huge responsibility. It was one of the biggest moments of my career.”

As of October 2024, Kteily had 537,000 followers on Instagram and 95,000 on Facebook. This year, she was also voted one of the top female DJs in the world

by DjaneTop.com, hitting #3 in the Middle East and #1 in Lebanon. She has played at private and public events in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, and in 2023, she began a tour of Canada, playing across numerous cities.

While always following a love for music, Kteily’s training began in much more traditional arts. As a child, she studied at the National School of Music in Lebanon, where she honed her skills in piano and oud, while also training her voice. She was 14 when she first discovered the world of DJing. A chance encounter with a DJ friend opened her eyes to a new realm of musical performance. “It was the first time in my entire life I

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heard the word DJ,” she recalls. “I never knew at that time that there was an actual DJ performing live.”

Watching her friend perform, Kteily experienced an immediate spark, realizing that this was more than just entertainment—it was an art form she wanted to master. “My heart skipped a beat,” she says. “I decided I wanted to learn what he was doing. I didn’t know that I was going to become a DJ, but I knew there was something special about it.”

Despite her passion, Kteily’s path to becoming a DJ was not straightforward. She recalls the challenges of balancing her love for music with the expectations of pursuing a more traditional career. At university, she studied public relations and advertising, and later earned a master’s degree in corporate communications.

“The real change happened when I studied at university,” she reflects. “I felt that learning about communication helped me promote myself and know how to expose myself.”

Kteily’s early years at university were filled with countless hours of practice at home, learning to mix tracks and perfecting her technique. She spent nearly four years refining her craft before performing professionally. “It wasn’t easy,” she admits. “I was in school and had to practice every day after classes, learning how to mix and improve my skills.”

Her transition to becoming a full-time DJ came when she was 21, after years of practice and learning the intricacies of the business. It was the age when she became legally allowed into clubs. By this time, she had gained enough confidence and recognition to start performing at larger venues. “When I decided to become a full-time DJ, I knew I had the capacity and opportunities,” she says.

Kteily’s role as a female DJ in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon’s vibrant nightlife scene, has come with its own set of challenges. While there aren’t many statistics that show the ratio of female to male

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Lebanese DJ Chloe Kteily.

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DJs in the Middle East, and audiences while retaining its despite Lebanon being known cultural essence. “I thought, why for its nightlife, Kteily found that not play Arabic music?” she recalls. female DJs in the region often face “It was hard at first, but once I gender bias and discrimination. started, people loved it. Now, I’m “Being a female DJ in the Middle known as a DJ who plays Arabic East was surprisingly very hard,” music.” she says. “Everyone thinks that Her push to popularize Arabic you’re not good enough. Even music comes at a time when the now, some people think that a guy global music industry is seeing would do it better.” increasing diversity in the genres Gender bias in the DJ industry that reach international stages. is not unique to the Middle East.

In December 2023, Anghami, a According to a study by The music streaming platform in the female:pressure FACTS report, MENA region, revealed that users which quantifies the gender streamed music for 23.15 billion distribution of artists performing minutes in 2023. Egyptian Pop at electronic music festivals was the top genre gathering over worldwide, the proportion of female acts accounted 2.2 billion streams, while Arabic Indie gained more for 30% in 2023. Despite these statistics, Kteily has popularity with a total of 448 million streams. “At managed to build a successful career by proving her Anghami, we've witnessed the powerful impact that skillset time and again. “It’s not just about proving artists like DJ Chloe Kteily are having by seamlessly yourself once. You have to prove yourself every time,” blending traditional Arabic music with modern, she says. “Even after showing what you can do, some electronic sounds. This cross-pollination resonates still believe a woman shouldn’t be paid the same as a deeply with listeners,” says Salam Kmeid, Head male DJ or treated the same way.” of Content Marketing at Anghami. “Through our Kteily says that one of her defining qualities as ‘Dance Arabia’ initiative, we've seen a 329% growth a DJ is her ability to read the crowd and adapt her in followers and over a million monthly streams as we performance accordingly. She describes her time on spotlight these artists fusing the old and new to create stage as an escape, where she isn’t working but partying a fresh, vibrant sound that is authentic, innovative, alongside her audience. “When I’m on stage, I get and deeply connected to the cultural identity of the disconnected. I feel like I’m not working; I’m partying Middle East.” with people,” she explains. “Music gives me the energy For Kteily, DJing is more than just a job—it’s a to interact with them and make them happy.” passion that fuels her. “Music gives me energy,” Another uniqueness about Kteily’s repertoire she says. “I always want to turn a night into an extends beyond DJing into music production. She unforgettable memory for the audience.” She blends pre-recorded songs with her own remixes, explains that her ability to create memorable adding a personal touch to her performances. As a moments during her sets, even when playing DJ and producer, Kteily doesn’t just play music—she less energetic or sad songs, shows her deep creates it. “I produce my own music. I can make understanding of music and the emotional journey remixes, and when I play them, it’s like my signature she aims to take her audience on. on the track,” she says.

Looking ahead, Kteily remains focused on her One of Kteily’s proudest achievements is her ability long-term goals. “Music doesn’t have an expiration to mix Arabic music into her sets. In a region where date,” she says. “As long as people support me and Arabic music holds deep cultural significance, love what I do, I’ll keep going.” Ultimately, Kteily saw an opportunity to modernize Kteily’s mission is to continue spreading Arabic Stay connected traditional Arabic songs by remixing them with music across the globe, introducing more with our latest business news. new beats. She mixes songs by Hussain Al Jasmi, people to the rich cultural history of the Middle Nancy Ajram, Amr Diab, and Ragheb Alama, East. “I want to promote Arabic music to the and has even combined oriental songs like 1,001 world,” she says. “It’s a part of our identity, and Nights with new house beats. This move has I think it’s important for people everywhere to made Arabic music more accessible to younger experience it.”

PRO M OTI O N Scan this QR code to open the website

Pioneering Healthcare Excellence N

ext month, Mohamed Ezz Eldin will become Head of the GCC Cluster at Novartis–a move that further cements his commitment to the company’s mission of reimagining medicine and improving and extending people’s lives. As a Novartis veteran of 25 years, Ezz has been involved with the bold mission for decades, but his new position at the global pharmaceutical giant presents opportunities to make even greater impact on the region and the industry he loves.

Already, Ezz is growing the company’s legacy in the GCC–a region that Novartis considers a strategic priority. Novartis Saudi has already been recognized as a key industry partner in patient care, clinical trials collaboration, and overall partnership in advanced therapeutics. The organization has also pioneered collaboration in Cell & Gene Therapy, working closely with the kingdom’s government entities to pioneer innovative treatments and push the boundaries of modern medicine.

“I am excited to lead the team into a future where we continue to push boundaries, innovate, and deliver life-changing medicines to help transform patients’ lives and cover their unmet treatment needs across the GCC,” says the cluster head, whose extensive career includes previous positions at Eli Lilly and GSK. As Ezz leads Novartis GCC into the future, he builds on a strong track record. Under his leadership,

Mohamed Ezz Eldin, As GCC Cluster Head at Novartis

the company’s U.A.E. and Gulf organizations embarked on several successful transformational growth journeys that continued apace when the world came to a standstill due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The seasoned professional has also been at the forefront of external initiatives to elevate healthcare standards across the region. Through Novartis’ Reimagining the Future of Healthcare podcast series, Ezz has helped raise awareness about critical healthcare issues such as cardiovascular disease, oncology, and future healthcare technologies.

In another key initiative, the Unblocked Movement, Ezz was involved in promoting healthy living

The expressed inOthis F O Rthoughts BESMIDD L E E A S T.C M advertorial are those of the client.

and helping to tackle the burden of cardiovascular disease, which counts as one of the leading global healthcare burdens.

Meanwhile, through Novartis Gulf’s Women in Pink initiative, he has helped champion breast cancer awareness and education.

By actively engaging in impactful initiatives, Ezz takes a hands-on approach to leadership, inspiring others to create positive change. His leadership style is also rooted in the belief that a culture of diverse and motivated teams is a key pillar of strong and sustainable performance, reflecting Novartis’ global stance. The multinational’s empowering culture has in fact earned it numerous accolades, including recognition as a ‘Great Place to Work’ and an award from his H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the U.A.E., for being a parentfriendly employer.

With awards to its name and a mission to reimagine medicine, Novartis is making a tangible difference to lives in the GCC– meaningful work that Mohamed Ezz Eldin is carrying into the future: “I’m looking forward to building on our achievements and continuing to drive our commitment to accelerating access to our innovative treatments.”

https://www.novartis.com/ NOVEMBER 2024

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As GCC Cluster Head at Novartis, Mohamed Ezz Eldin is driving the multinational’s mission to reimagine medicine and improve lives across the region.

30 UNDER 30

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he up-and-coming trailblazers on our 30 Under 30 list are driving significant changes in MENA. They may be young, but the impact they’re having is already substantial. From sports stars being celebrated on podiums to scientists being acclaimed for discovering new therapies and technologies, our Under 30 community showcases a generation of strivers and disruptors determined to make their mark on the world.

Our 2024 list features 120 entries and 153 individuals representing 24 nationalities. Egyptians feature the most, with 48 individuals, followed by 20 Lebanese, 12 Tunisians, 10 Saudis, nine Jordanians, and seven Syrians.

These achievers are based across 19 countries. The U.A.E. is home to 40 individuals, 35 are based in Egypt, 12 in Saudi Arabia, 10 in Tunisia, and eight in Lebanon. The average age of all individuals on the list is 26 years old, with the youngest being just 17.

While each category has 30 entries, the commerce and finance category boasts the highest number of individuals with 45, followed by social impact with 42, sports & entertainment with 34, and science and technology with 32.

Our Judges

Sherif Beshara

Group CEO of Mohamed & Obaid Almulla Group and American Hospital Dubai.

Moon Baz

Fahad AlOthman

Chairman of the Board of Trustees at The American University of the Middle East (AUM) and Founder of Humansoft Holding

Hussein Freijeh

Head of Global Partnerships, Africa, Middle East, and Türkiye at Meta

Vice President of Snap Inc.- MENA

Anthony Nakache Managing Director of Google MENA

Mirna Arif

General Manager of Microsoft Egypt

Ayman Mokhtar

Regional President— MENA & Eurasia at Viatris

Mohamed Nasr

Managing Director & CEO of Telecom Egypt

Noor Sweid

Founder & Managing Partner at Global Ventures

Emon Shakoor

CEO & Founder of Blossom Accelerator

To nominate yourself or someone else for our lists, email: info@forbesmiddleeast.com

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NOVEMBER 2024

Rahaf Elobaid

Mohammad Dkaidik

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30 UNDER 30

Ahmed ElGendy

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Mahmoud Gharghar

Sara Alkhoori

Methodology To find the region’s most promising young talent, we scanned the Middle East markets for outstanding young achievers and collected online nominations, whereby applicants could put themselves or someone else forward for consideration.

From hundreds of applications, the Forbes Middle East research and editorial teams evaluated all candidates, conducting several rounds of assessments to shortlist around 200 candidates. We then turned to

Abbas Sajwani

our external judges, all experts in their respective fields. They conducted their own research, deliberated the criteria, and shared their insights on who they thought should make the final cut.

In making our judgments, we took into account qualitative information, such as the impact that candidates have had on their industry, market, or society and their future potential. We also looked at quantifiable data such as funds raised, awards won, revenues achieved, the value of deals, the number of people impacted, the number of customers, and the number of followers on social media.

Mohamed Refai

• Age eligibility: To be eligible for the

2024 list, the applicant had to have been under 30 years old on December 31, 2023.

This means that anyone born in 1994 or later was eligible. All ages given in the list are as of December 31, 2023.

• Geographic focus: Candidates could

be from anywhere but had to have their business or initiatives based and dedicated to MENA residents.

• Entries: If one business had two

cofounders or more under 30, they were counted as one entry.

*The 30 Under 30 listees are presented in alphabetical order.

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• Ahmed ElGendy 23

ElGendy was the first African to win an Olympic medal in the modern pentathlon, after winning a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He did it again with a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the men’s individual category, achieving a world record. ElGendy is currently ranked first in the world in the senior ranking of his category as of October 22, 2024, according to the UIPM. He is also a two-time 2018 Youth Olympic champion (for the individual relay and mixed relay).

• Modern Pentathlete Nationality: Egyptian Residence: Egypt

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• Abdulaziz

Alhumaid, Abdullah Aljassim 27 29 • Cofounders of GrintaHub Nationality: Saudi, Syrian Residence: Saudi Arabia

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Alhumaid and Aljassim established GrintaHub, a fan-to-fan ticketing exchange and resale platform, in 2021. It served over a million clients as of August 2024. The Saudibased company has sold two million tickets. GrintaHub has closed an undisclosed funding round from eight angel investors. It previously signed an official resale partnership for Formula 1 tickets in Saudi Arabia and numerous entertainment events and served as an official sponsor of the Jeddah Season. The duo previously cofounded a sports marketing company Cfcsaudi, which they exited later.

• Akhmed

Tazhudinov 20 • Wrestler Nationality: Bahraini

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Residence: Bahrain Russian-born Tazhudinov has represented Bahrain since 2022 and won the gold medal in the men’s freestyle 97kg wrestling category at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He ranked first in the men’s freestyle seniors 97kg global rankings as of October 2024, according to the United World Wrestling. Tazhudinov also won gold medals at the 2022 Asian Games and the 2023 World Championships.

• Alyah Abo Alola,

Abdulrahman Osama 28

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• Cofounders of Armed Academy & The Racquet Space Nationality: Saudi Residence: Saudi Arabia Abo Alola founded Armed Academy in 2016 before Osama and their other cofounder F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

Cedric Zovighian, Marc Gharios, Ralph Gharios

Musaed Abdulrahman (now 31 years old) joined the company.

The Armed Academy started a basketball team, competing in the first edition of the Saudi women’s basketball league and winning the title against Saudi pro teams before being acquired by the Al-Ahli Saudi Club in February 2023. The Armed Academy has graduated over 800 trainees, of which over 20 are professional players.

After the acquisition, they started The Racquet Space, which focuses on tennis, in December 2023 and raised $800,000 in funding. Abo 17

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Alola is a former professional basketball player for the Al-Ahli Club and the AlUla Club.

• Cedric Zovighian,

Marc Gharios, Ralph Gharios 23 24 25 • Cofounders of Tick’it Nationality: Lebanese Residence: U.A.E. and Lebanon Zovighian and the Gharios brothers cofounded Tick’it in 2021, a platform for discovering music and entertainment events, buying tickets, and 24

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booking tables. It also provides event planners with insights, management tools, and marketing solutions.

The company claims to have captured 60% of the music event listing space in Lebanon in its first year, having attracted over 60,000 B2C users and 180 event planners. Tick’it processed $1.2 million in ticket sales between January 2024 and September 2024. It has partnered with payment providers, money transfer agencies, and cash solution providers and offers over 3,000 physical points of sale across Lebanon.

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• Chloe Kteily 27 • DJ Nationality: Lebanese Residence: Lebanon

• Djamel Sedjati 24 • Runner Nationality: Algerian Residence: Algeria Sedjati ranked second in the men’s 800 meters category and 13th in the men’s overall ranking worldwide, as of October 22, 2024, according to the World Athletics. He won a bronze in the men’s 800-meter category at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In 2022, Sedjati won a silver medal in the same category at the World Athletics Championships, and a gold medal at Mediterranean Games.

• Eisa Alhabib 29 • Influencer & Founder of Majarah Creative Marketing Services Nationality: Kuwaiti Residence: U.A.E. Alhabib was the creator and host of ishra7li, which was launched in early 2021 to highlight the diversity of the Arab world through engaging stories about cultures, traditions, and lesser-known facts. The show has amassed over a billion views across various social media platforms.

Today, Alhabib has over a million Instagram followers and 1.5 million YouTube subscribers.

He has collaborated with government entities to produce educational and awareness campaigns, including the World Government Summit, COP28, F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

Eisa Alhabib

Expo 2020, the Qatar World Cup, and RTA. He won the JCS International Young Creatives Award at the International Emmy Awards in 2017 for his short film Domestic Cycle.

• EZOW 25 • Artist Nationality: Emirati Residence: U.A.E. EZOW is one of the first Emirati artists in hip-hop to create music in English. He performed at the Coca-Cola Arena for around 17,000 people 17

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alongside Chris Brown and Sean Kingston in December 2023.

In 2020, he was appointed as an IIMSAM Youth Goodwill Ambassador, supporting its mandate and the United Nations Decade of Action 2020-2030 sustainable development goals. He served as the brand ambassador for AMIRI, a fashion brand established by Mike Amiri in 2014.

• Fares Ferjani 26 • Fencer Nationality: Tunisian Residence: U.S. 24

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Ferjani made his senior Olympic debut at Rio 2016 finishing 25th in individual sabre before ranking 22nd in Tokyo 2020 and winning a silver medal in Men’s Sabre Individual at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

He previously won two medals at the 2019 African Games, including a gold in individual sabre and a silver in team sabre. He ranked third in the men’s sabre individual senior rankings in the 2024/2025 season, according to the International Fencing Federation.

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Kteily has taken the stage at significant concerts across MENA. In 2024, she was the opening act for renowned artists such as Amr Diab and Tamer Hosny. She was selected as the official DJ for Miss Lebanon 2024, where she joined Lebanese singer Elissa to support a women empowerment campaign.

• Kaylia Nemour, 17 • Artistic Gymnast Nationality: Algerian/ French Residence: France

Mohamed Elsayed

• Fatma Elyan 23 • Para Powerlifter Nationality: Egyptian Residence: Egypt Elyan won a silver medal in the women’s up to 67kg category at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

She also achieved fourth place in the women’s 61kg category at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

Elyan attained second place in the women’s 61kg category at the 2023 World Championships in Dubai and fourth place in 2021 in Tbilisi. She ranked second in the official World Para Powerlifting Rankings 2024 by the IPC in the women’s up to 67kg category.

Olympian, won a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the men’s -80kg category. He also won bronze in the men’s -74kg category at the 2022 World Championships and won the gold medal in the men’s -80kg category at the 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024 African Games in Ghana. He ranked first in the men’s -80kg category in the senior divisions of the Olympic and the World Kyorugi rankings as of October 2024, according to the World Taekwondo.

• Gor Minasyan 29 • Weightlifter Nationality: Bahraini

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Residence: Bahrain

• Firas Kattoussi 28 • Taekwondo Player Nationality: Tunisian Residence: Tunisia Kattoussi, a first-time F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

Minasyan won the bronze medal in the men’s +102kg weightlifting category at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

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overall championship in 2022 and 2023, as well as the Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023.

• Imane Khelif 24 • Boxer Nationality: Algerian Residence: Algeria Khelif clinched a gold medal in the women’s 66kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

She was also the first female Algerian boxer to win a world championship medal after attaining a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships. She competed at Tokyo 2020, where she became the first female boxer to represent Algeria at the Olympics. She has won gold at the 2022 Mediterranean Games, the 2022 African Championships, and the 2023 Arab Games. In December 2023, Khelif was also appointed as a UNICEF ambassador to Algeria for two years (2024-25).

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• Mohamed Elsayed 20 • Fencer Nationality: Egyptian Residence: U.S. and Egypt Elsayed is currently ranked fourth in the world men’s épée individual senior rankings, according to the International Fencing Federation. He finished fourth in the épée at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and made his Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he finished eighth in the men’s épée.

He won two gold medals at the African Senior Fencing Championships in 2022 and 2024 in Morocco, a silver in 2023 in Egypt, and a bronze medal in the men’s individual épée fencing at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Elsayed also clinched a gold medal in team épée at the 2023 Junior and Cadet World Fencing Championships in Bulgaria.

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Kaylia’s career in gymnastics began in France at four years old. In 2022, a knee injury and disagreements with the French Gymnastics Federation kept her out of all championships apart from the Arab Championships in October 2022, where she made her senior competitive debut and won two golds and a silver medal. In 2023, she won gold at the African Championships, qualifying for the 2023 World Championships in Belgium, where she won silver on the uneven bars category, becoming the first African gymnast to claim a world championship medal. She bagged a gold medal on uneven bars in the Paris 2024 Olympics, a first for Algeria and any African gymnast at the Olympic Games, and topped the global ranking in her category.

then followed it with gold medals at the 2023 African Taekwondo Championships.

He also won a bronze in the men’s -48kg weight category at the 2018 Youth Olympics.

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• Marketing Global Innovation Manager at L’Oréal Nationality: Jordanian Residence: France Dkaidik began his career as a Brand Manager for Beesline in Jordan before joining the L’Oréal Group in Paris, where he took charge of La Roche-Posay in Travel Retail EMEA. He orchestrated product launches and campaigns for travelers, culminating in a major skin cancer prevention campaign that reached over three million passengers across European and Middle Eastern airports. He currently works with Vichy Laboratories, a L’Oréal brand, with a focus on sustainability. He is also a global ambassador for One Young World and a committee board member of the L’Oréal alumni network.

• Najlah Imad 19 • Para Table Tennis Player

• Mohamed

Elmenyawy 25 • Para Powerlifter Nationality: Egyptian Residence: Egypt Elmenyawy won a gold medal in the men’s up to 59kg para powerlifting at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Previously, he secured the third position in the 2023 World Championships in Dubai and finished eighth in F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

the 2021 World Championships in Georgia. He ranked second in his category in the official World Para Powerlifting Rankings 2024 by the IPC.

• Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi 21

• Taekwondo Player Nationality: Tunisian Residence: Tunisia Jendoubi, a bronze medalist 17

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at the Paris 2024 Olympics, ranked third in the senior division of the Olympic and the World Kyorugi Rankings in the men’s -58kg category, as of October 2024, according to World Taekwondo. He won a silver medal in the same category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, becoming the first Tunisian to win an Olympic silver medal in taekwondo.

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Nationality: Iraqi Residence: Iraq Imad started participating in Para table tennis in 2015 and became a member of a national league in 2018. She won a gold medal in the WS6 women’s singles category at the Paris 2024 Paralympics to become Iraq’s first female Paralympic gold medalist. Imad also ranked seventh in the class 6 singles category at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. She won a gold medal in the class 6 singles category at the 2022 Asian Para Games in China.

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Mohammad Dkaidik

Nora Zeid

• Rayan Hayek 19 • Host of Baynetna Nationality: Lebanese Residence: Lebanon Hayek hosts Arab celebrities on his ‘Baynetna’ show on YouTube, which has been running since 2023, with over 50 episodes. He is currently planning a daily show where he will focus on human stories and will simultaneously expand Baynetna beyond the Middle East to Europe, with a French version in the works. Hayek has more than 3.1 million followers on Instagram.

• Saleh El Nawawy 28 • Comedian and Content Creator Nationality: Egyptian Residence: U.A.E.

• Nora Zeid

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Residence: U.A.E. Zeid held her first solo exhibit entitled ‘Cairo Illustrated: Stories from Heliopolis’ at Taskheel in Dubai in 2021, under its Critical Practice Program.

Her comics such as ‘East of Home’ and ‘In A Moment’ have been published in Sharjah Art Foundation’s yearly anthology ‘Corniche’. Some of her notable clients include Google, Bloomberg Markets, Wegz, Cadillac Arabia, Diwan Publishing, and VICE Arabia.

She is currently working on her first short graphic novel with the Egyptian Heritage Rescue F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

Foundation, which is being funded by the British Council and will be released by the end of the year.

• Omar Marmoush 24 • Footballer Nationality: Egyptian/ Canadian

• Osama Chabbi 28

Residence: Germany

• Fashion Commentator and Stylist

Marmoush started his career with Wadi Degla SC in Egypt.

In August 2017, he joined Wolfsburg‘s reserve side in Germany. He made his professional European debut with the club, VfL Wolfsburg, in 2020. In July 2023, he moved to Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer with a

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contract lasting until 2027.

His market value was $43.4 million as of October 2024, according to Transfermarkt.

Marmoush scored nine goals in seven matches in the 20242025 season, becoming the Bundesliga’s top scorer, as of October 23, 2024.

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Nationality: Tunisian/ French Residence: U.A.E. Chabbi is a stylist and fashion commentator. Based in Dubai since 2018, he has helped style the local campaigns of brands such as Bvlgari, Prada, and

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El Nawawy is a filmmaker and content creator known for his stand-up comedy shows and social media sketches. His goal through his sketches is to present Arab life in a comedic and sarcastic way that is acceptable for the culture and opens it up to a wider global audience. He regularly collaborates with other content creators and in August 2024 he performed three sold-out standup shows at Roxy Cinemas, Dubai Hills. In September 2024, he announced the launch of a new show, El Nawawy Cafe, on Aljazeera 360, a new regional streaming platform and video-on-demand service.

As of November 2024, he had 679,000 followers on Instagram and over 483,000 followers on TikTok. NOVEMBER 2024

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FARFETCH. He has also worked with Nike, Amina Muaddi, and JACQUEMUS. Chabbi is a commentator on events for brands such as Louis Vuitton, CHANEL, and Jean Paul Gaultier. He has interviewed several renowned designers like Haider Ackermann, Glenn Martens, Kris Van Assche, and Michèle Lamy under his label “Reviewed by Osa.”

Wessam Qutob

• Salwa Eid Naser 25 • Sprinter Nationality: Bahraini Residence: Bahrain Naser clinched the silver medal in the women’s 400 meters at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She ranked third in the world in the women’s 400meter category as of October 15, 2024, according to World F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

Athletics. The Nigerian-born sprinter made her debut for Bahrain at the Arab Junior Championships in 2014.

She is a three-time world championship medalist, with a silver and bronze in 2017 and a gold in 2019.

She won five medals at the 2019 Asian Championships and four gold and two silver medals at the Asian Games.

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• Wessam Qutob 28 • Content Creator Nationality: Palestinian Residence: U.A.E. Qutob is a social media influencer with over 13 million followers, including 4.9 million on Instagram, 5.9 million on TikTok, and 2.6 million subscribers on YouTube. He won the Favorite Content Creator award presented by Nickelodeon 23

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Kids’ Choice Awards Abu Dhabi in 2023. He is also a rapper and songwriter. His song ‘Rihleh Fi Rasi’ released in 2022 accumulated over 6.5 million streams on YouTube. As of October 2024, Qutob had reached over 149.8 million views on YouTube. He signed a deal with EMPIRE Distribution. He was selected as a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 ambassador and he collaborated with Samsung from 2021 to 2024.

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Wael Arakji

• Winfred Yavi 24 • Runner Nationality: Bahraini Residence: Kenya Yavi won the women’s 3,000-meter Steeplechase at the Paris 2024 Olympics, breaking the Olympic record that had been set in 2008. She ranked first in the women’s 3,000meter category, as of October 15, 2024, according to World Athletics.

Yavi won a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships, Budapest 2023, becoming the first athlete from Bahrain to win a steeplechase medal at the world championships. Kenyanborn Yavi started playing for Bahrain in August 2016. She is also a three-time Asian Games gold medalist.

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• Wael Arakji 29 • Basketball Player Nationality: Lebanese Residence: Lebanon Lebanese basketball player Arakji contributed to his team’s Al Riyadi Club’s Beirut victory in the first-ever Basketball Champions League Asia, helping them win a spot at the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2024. He was named most valuable player twice in FIBA Asia Cup 2022 and BCL Asia 2024.

Arakji has been the most valuable player in multiple tournaments, including the Dubai International Championship, Lebanese Basketball League, WASL West Asia Zone, and WASL Final 8. He is also a brand ambassador for Nike and Red Bull in the MEA region. In October 2024, Arakji signed to join Qatar’s Al Arabi Sports Club.

• Zaid Kareem 22 • Taekwondo Player Nationality: Jordanian

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Residence: Jordan Kareem clinched a silver medal in the men’s -68kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He also won a silver medal in the men’s -68kg category at the Asian Games in 2023. In the 2018 Youth Olympic Games Kareem won a bronze medal in the -55kg category, marking him as Jordan’s third YOG medalist.

He ranked second in the men’s -68kg category in the senior divisions of the Olympic and World Kyorugi Rankings as of October 2024, according to the World Taekwondo.

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30 UNDER 30 • SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

First Team

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Abdullah Aljassim and Abdulaziz Alhumaid, cofounders of Saudi-based ticket exchange and resale platform GrintaHub, have ventured into an untapped sector.

Now, they aim to double their customer base, bolstered by the expanding events industry in Saudi Arabia.

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audi Arabia has recently gone all in with hosting big events, particularly in the sports arena. In March 2024, Saudi Arabia hosted the Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for the fourth time in a row. In 2023, the kingdom’s events included the World Combat Games 2023 and the IWF World Weightlifting Championships 2023. A promising future awaits the sector, with the GCC’s event management market poising for 9.1% CAGR growth from a projected value of $78.3 billion in

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2024 to $120.7 billion by 2029, according to Mordor Intelligence.

The flourishing events industry in Saudi Arabia extends beyond sports to culture and the arts, illustrating a new chapter for the traditionally oilbased economy. In 2016, the kingdom launched its General Entertainment Authority, focusing on regulating and developing the entertainment sector, diversifying entertainment options, and supporting Saudi Arabia’s more than $1 trillion economy.

Capitalizing on these opportunities, two friends and

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social media in 2010, bonding over a shared love of Chelsea Football Club. They met in person in 2012 when they decided to attend a match together.

“Our conversations revolved around topics we had previously discussed online, focusing on football, fan culture in Saudi Arabia, and the challenges of supporting a team based far away in Europe,” remembers Aljassim. In 2013, inspired by the success stories of the tech companies of Silicon Valley, they were part of a team that launched CFC Saudi, a sports marketing company. “We wanted to start a sportsrelated company and brainstormed ideas, and that’s how we started CFC Saudi with another group of friends,” adds Alhumaid.

At that time, the two friends were both still studying. Alhumaid obtained a bachelor’s degree in computer software engineering from King Saud University in 2020 and worked as a research and development engineer at Nokia for seven months until July 2021 and as a technology consultant at IBM from November 2021 to June 2023. Aljassim served as CEO of CFC Saudi until they exited the company in 2018 and received a bachelor’s degree in medicine from Almaarefa University in 2019.

“It’s our national duty to make this event the most successful World Cup ever, and we aim to contribute to that success.”

The idea for Grintahub first came to the cofounders in 2015, when they wanted to attend a sold-out football match in the U.K. and struggled to find alternative ways to access tickets. They began conducting studies for the new venture in 2019. A year later, Aljassim and Alhumaid made full use of the pandemic lockdown to build the technology needed for their platform. They created their minimum viable product with enough features to attract early adopter customers and validate their idea and by mid-2021, they had officially launched the GrintaHub platform, initially funding it themselves.

Today, the cofounders say that GrintaHub has a million customers, and they plan to double this figure by the end of 2025, supported by the growth of the events industry in Saudi Arabia. It currently operates in 96 cities worldwide, with a particular focus on Europe and the Middle East, and sells tickets to individuals from 57 different nationalities in Saudi

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football fans Abdullah Aljassim, cofounder and CEO of GrintaHub, and Abdulaziz Alhumaid, cofounder and CTO of GrintaHub, launched the Saudi-based ticket exchange and resale platform in 2021. “People were eager to travel and spend on entertainment and sports right after the pandemic. It was the ideal moment to launch our operations,” says Aljassim. “We support event organizers in getting the maximum audience for their events, reducing no-shows, preventing ticket fraud, empowering buyers with flexible resale options, and making people’s days.”

The company’s business model allows individuals to buy and sell event tickets to each other directly.

The platform also partners with sports clubs to help fans who have purchased season tickets sell access to matches they can’t attend. This benefits both parties: fans can recoup some of their costs, and clubs can fill empty seats.

Safety and efficiency are major considerations.

Aljassim recounts a pivotal moment at the start of their journey when someone shared an experience from a sports match where a group of people had unknowingly bought fake tickets from unreliable sources and ended up losing their money. The cofounders were determined to offer fans something secure. “We’ve built our technology in-house to ensure maximum customization and control. Since our launch, we’ve significantly advanced our platform’s complexity, performance, and user experience,” explains Alhumaid. The CTO and his team have developed a robust know-your-customer system that examines individuals’ online behaviors, ensuring authenticity and minimizing risks to less than 1%. In addition to this, ticket funds are transferred to sellers only upon the customer’s attendance at the event, helping prevent fraud.

“Within the Middle East, there is a growing concern about cyber fraud, with the scale, severity, and sophistication of these attacks rising significantly in recent years,” says Ali Khan, Partner at Deloitte Middle East. “The types of cyber fraud in the Middle East are wide-ranging, with the most common being phishing, domain spoofing, identity theft, and investment scams.” Khan, who also leads Deloitte’s cyber detect and respond services, recommends that individuals make sure they buy tickets from reputable, established websites, use trusted payment methods, read reviews and feedback, and avoid clicking on unknown links or downloading attachments from unknown emails.

GrintaHub isn’t Aljassim and Alhumaid’s first venture. The pair first became acquainted through

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Saudi Pro League in Numbers Total Market Cap: $1.3 billion

Most valuable player: Moussa Diaby at $59.9 Million Most valuable team: Al-Hilal at $265.1 Million.

Al-Hilal clinched their record-breaking 19th title last season.

18 Teams 507 Players 169 Foreign players constituting 33.3% The season runs from August 22, 2024, to May 26, 2025 Source: Transfermarkt.

Data as of October 31, 2024

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as a regional and global sports and entertainment hub is driving substantial economic benefits. “Direct revenue streams, such as ticket sales and increased hospitality spending, are complemented by significant positive indirect impacts, creating various multipliers for the overall economy,” she adds. “This economic growth is complemented by socioeconomic benefits, including increasing inclusivity, encouraging participation in physical activity, and associated wellbeing benefits.”

GrintaHub plays a key role in promoting Saudi tourism and achieving the goals of Vision 2030, according to Aljassim, noting that the Ministry of Tourism supported the company in participating in exhibitions in the U.A.E., and Spain. In addition, the team has been backed by several investors, concluding an undisclosed pre-seed funding round in Q4 2021.

Looking ahead, some major events are signaling a busy season for Grintahub.

Saudi Arabia will be hosting the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and the World Expo 2030. It’s also submitted an official bid for FIFA World Cup 2034. In addition to this, the Saudi Pro League (SPL) is now valued at $1.3 billion by Transfermarkt and has been rapidly gaining international attention while attracting high-profile international players. In 2023, Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr F.C., French national Karim Benzema became a player for Al-Ittihad Club, and Brazilian Neymar now plays for Al-Hilal. The most valuable player currently at SPL is Al-Ittihad Club’s French player Moussa Diaby, who was worth $59.9 million as of October 2024.

Aljassim and Alhumaid are ready for the challenge. Unsurprisingly, the fanatical football fans are particularly excited about the FIFA 2034 World Cup. “We’ve already started planning and can’t wait to be part of this amazing experience,” says Aljassim. “It’s our national duty to make this event the most successful World Cup ever, and we aim to contribute to that success.”

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Arabia alone. “We aim to become one of the top ticket resale companies in Europe and globally,” says Aljassim.

In just three years, the company has also secured some key partnerships. In 2022, it became an official reseller for the Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. In the same year, when the Saudi national team defeated Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Qatar, it created a frenzy. “People became eager to attend the World Cup matches, and our company became a go-to option for Saudi fans. We were the only Saudi company that could guarantee the tickets. We even had stories of foreigners in Qatar buying tickets from us after being referred by other fans,” Aljassim recalls.

Despite sticking to a supply-demand approach, about 70% of the tickets on GrintaHub are sold at below-fee value. As of October 2024, GrintaHub had sold two million tickets.

In addition to the fans’ support from the beginning, Aljassim believes they were lucky to have governmental support, particularly from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Ministry of Tourism, and Ministry of Sports. GrintaHub participated in Saudi Arabia’s Biban24 Forum in November 2024 under the potential unicorn section, which empowers the kingdom’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Still, an entrepreneur’s journey is often paved with challenges. “We encountered numerous hurdles, including proving the viability of our business model as a first mover in the Saudi ticketing industry,” says Aljassim, who has been a member of the OQAL Angel Investors Network since July 2024. “Additionally, securing funding and attracting top talent were significant challenges.” The CEO attributes the company’s success to a combination of three factors: the team’s hard work, a supportive environment in Saudi Arabia, and fortuitous timing.

Dunia Joulani, Partner at Deloitte Middle East, leading the travel, hospitality, and leisure team, explains that Saudi Arabia’s focus on positioning the kingdom

PRO M OTI O N Scan this QR code to open the website

Vision of the Future

Dubai Healthcare City has secured a $45 million investment through a joint venture between Ultralasik Eye Center and AMICO Group.

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are also in place for expansion into other specialties including dermatology, ENT, and aesthetics.

Expansion in the United Arab Emirates is an exciting move for Ultralasik. Dubai has established itself as a leading global destination for world-class healthcare, and Ultralasik Eye Center intends to contribute to its continuing growth by bringing innovative eye care solutions to more patients in the emirate and beyond.

For AMICO Group, this is also a pivotal moment. The joint venture not only reinforces its leadership on the U.A.E.’s healthcare landscape, but also highlights an enduring commitment to innovation and excellence throughout the region.

Construction on the new commercial building is slated to begin in Q4 2024, with completion expected by the end of 2027. The project will create hundreds of new jobs in the medical and professional services sectors, further cementing Dubai’s status as a magnet for top global talent.

In addition to the commercial facilities, the building will feature

The expressed inOthis F O Rthoughts BESMIDD L E E A S T.C M advertorial are those of the client.

retail spaces available for lease to local and international investors. This will create a vibrant commercial hub within Dubai Healthcare City, offering convenience and amenities to the thousands of patients, visitors, and medical professionals who frequent the free zone on a daily basis.

The multi-million-dollar project is a testament to Dubai’s continued success in attracting major healthcare investments that are raising the bar for medical excellence, not just in the U.A.E. but across the entire Middle East region.

As the U.A.E.’s healthcare ecosystem continues to evolve, the joint project between AMICO Group and Ultralasik Eye Center is one of the many groundbreaking collaborations positioning Dubai as a global leader in innovative, patient-centric care.

https://www.ultralasik.ae/ https://www.amicogroup.com/ NOVEMBER 2024

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ubai’s position as a global hub for healthcare continues to be bolstered by major new investments in the sector. The latest example is a landmark joint venture between Ultralasik Eye Center and AMICO Group to develop a cuttingedge $45 million commercial building in Dubai Healthcare City.

The new four-story, 110,000 square-meter building complex will serve as the U.A.E. office for AMICO Group and will also house a state-of-the-art Ultralasik hospital.

AMICO Group, headed by Executive Chairman, Mihran Hazarian, has been a prominent player in MENA’s healthcare sector since 1984, delivering cutting-edge medical technologies, sophisticated surgical support, and world-class medical education across the region. For its part, Ultralasik Eye Center is a renowned provider of laser vision correction. The center was founded by consultant ophthalmologist, Dr. Ali Fadlallah, who serves as the center’s medical director and chief executive for the three branches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.

This collaborative project underscores Dubai’s appeal among leading healthcare providers seeking to capitalize on the emirate’s rapidly growing population and status as a medical tourism destination.

The new building’s prime location in Dubai Healthcare City, the region’s largest healthcare free zone, will provide Ultralasik Eye Center, a JCI accredited institution, with unparalleled access to a diverse patient base. The hospital will occupy two floors of the building and feature the latest ophthalmic technologies and procedures. Plans

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• Abbas Sajwani 24 • Founder & CEO of AHS Properties Nationality: Emirati Residence: U.A.E. Sajwani founded AHS Group in 2017, which today employs over 2,000 people. Under the AHS Group umbrella, he established AHS Properties as one of its flagship entities. AHS Properties is an ultra-luxury real estate developer based in Dubai. In 2024, the company’s gross development value reached $2.75 billion. With the company’s current pipeline, it is expected to reach $5 billion by 2025.

• Abdullah Saleem, Jamal Dashti 29 29 • Cofounders of Mushtari Nationality: Kuwaiti Residence: Kuwait Saleem and Dashti cofounded Mushtari to help business owners to acquire and exit companies. The platform has helped sell more than 195 businesses in three years. It received over 700 requests last year from entrepreneurs seeking to exit, of which 90% were from Kuwait. In 2024, the company closed its first funding round at a $2 million valuation from Rasameel Investment Company. It generates revenues through listing fees, fees upon successful deals, and commissions on other supported services like marketing and accounting, hiring, sponsorships, and collaboration. It will soon launch a subscription model.

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• Aditya Parmar 29 • Head of Investments at Burman Family Office Nationality: Indian Residence: U.A.E. Parmar has been the head of investments for the Burman Family Office since September 2020. He has managed investing in equities in the U.S., India, and the Middle East, along with bonds and corporate debt, private equity, and venture capital.

The family’s personal wealth fund participated in local and international IPOs and invested in startups, including leading the pre-seed round for Centricity at a valuation of $20 million in 2022, which recently raised a round at a valuation of $125 million from Lightspeed Venture Partners. Additional endeavors include investing in BECO Capital and Saudi Tweeq.

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• Ahmed Mamdouh, Ahmed Amir 29 29 • Cofounders of Mrkoon Nationality: Egyptians

PHOTOGRAPH BY MUSTAPHA AZAB FOR FORBES MIDDLE EAST

Residence: Egypt Mamdouh and Amir cofounded Mrkoon with Mohamed Shalabi (above 30) in January 2024.

The online platform specializes in selling scrap and surplus inventory for construction companies and factories through online auctions.

It connects construction companies and factories with over 3,500 professional scrap traders, enabling them to facilitate trade and auction scrap materials.

Mrkoon’s gross merchandise value reached $965,000 as of October 2024. In just three months, they reintroduced about 30 tons of recycled iron into the production cycle, saving approximately 600,000 megajoules. It currently serves over 15 clients, including Mansour Group, Pachin, ELARABY Group, Hassan Allam Holding, and M squared. It has raised funding from Ayman Abbas’s A Ventures Group.

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Aditya Parmar

• Alisher Akbarov,

credit for up to 90 days to their buyers and get paid upfront.

It has 80 active suppliers and 400 SME buyers. It has facilitated more than 5,000 transactions with annualized revenues of $1 million. It has loaned $5 million to date with notable SME users, including Tafaseel, Musafir, Meydan Free Zone, Bugyz, and Park Lane Motors.

Amal Abdullaev 26

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• Cofounders of Comfi Nationality: Uzbekistani Residence: U.A.E. Akbarov and Abdullaev cofounded Comfi with Sanjar Samiev and Alexander Mushta (both over 30), a B2B platform offering payment solutions/credit for SMEs. The company has secured $5 million in debt funding from a private Abu Dhabi family office and raised $350,000 from Sanabil Investments and 500 Global. The company’s embedded finance supplychain businesses can extend 17

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• Daniel Ahmed 29 • Cofounder & COO at Fasset Nationality: British Residence: U.A.E. Ahmed cofounded Fasset with Mohammad Hossain (above 30). Fasset is a digital asset 23

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exchange for individuals and businesses. In 2023, it launched in Indonesia and partnered with Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison. It relocated its headquarters to the U.A.E. in December 2023 and is currently dually headquartered out of Indonesia and the U.A.E. It has partnered with Mastercard to offer a crypto card to users in the region. Fasset has over 100,000 users. Its 2024 transaction volumes had exceeded $50 million as of October. It has raised $26.7 million from investors including Liberty City Ventures, Investcorp, and Gobi Partners.

Fasset has now received its Bahrain license and is building a team in Saudi Arabia.

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and 29,330 between January and September 2024. They broadened the delivery reach from a single zone to cover all of Cairo and Giza, while the team grew from 35 employees to over 55. It currently serves 6,500-7,000 customers every month.

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• Habiba Hany 28 • Founder & CEO of CULT Egypt Nationality: Egyptian Residence: Egypt Hany launched CULT Egypt in September 2021 to offer coffee, ceremonial-grade matcha, in-house ingredients, and bagels. Starting from a single coffee shop, today it has over 10 branches in Egypt across Cairo, the North Coast, and El Gouna. It processed an average of 10,000 orders per month in 2023, and 490,000 orders between January 2023 and September 2024. The company has a partnership with Misr El Kheir Foundation, through which it donates 10% of its Ramadan sales each year to the Al Gharemat cause, which supports women who are in debt and need assistance to regain their financial independence.

Fatma Youssef, Abdelrahman Youssef

• Founder & CEO of ēlancē

• Fatma Mostafa 29

• CEO & Founder of Tipz

• Jewelry Designer

Nationality: Russian/ Syrian

Nationality: Egyptian

Residence: U.A.E.

Residence: Egypt

Al Aaradzh founded Tipz in the U.A.E. in 2022 to provide QR code payment solutions for the F&B sector. Its POS system offers QR menus, ordering, payments, and e-commerce.

It allows users to pay for their orders directly from their mobile phones and leave tips. It had processed over 45,000 orders worth a total of $3.7 million between January and September 2024. The company’s clients include DUO Gastrobar, Amanos Restaurant & Cafe, and Babushka.

Mostafa’s pieces have been worn by celebrities, including Bella Hadid, Karolina Kurkova, Naomi Ackie, and Shenseea. Since 2023, she has sold through her website and in retail stores in London, Lagos, and Dubai. Her work was exhibited in the Brooklyn Museum as part of the Africa Fashion Exhibition 2023 and the Mison Pyramids showcase in Paris Fashion Week 2023, among others. Her brand collaborated with the Italian brand MAX&Co., part of the 17

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Max Mara Fashion Group, for its spring-summer collection 2024.

• Fatma Youssef,

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• Cofounders of Fati’s Nationality: Egyptians Residence: Egypt The two brothers cofounded the cloud-based bakery, Fati’s, in November 2021, specializing in making donuts. Starting from a home stove, Fati’s expanded into a two-floor production facility capable of producing thousands of pieces daily. It processed 8,593 orders in 2023 24

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Nationality: Egyptian Residence: Egypt and U.A.E. Mazen founded ēlancē in 2017 to provide customized furniture, fittings, and fixtures products for both indoor and outdoor environments. It has design studios and showrooms in the U.A.E. and Egypt. ēlancē also operates an e-commerce store that serves the GCC with a gross merchandise value of $577,000 in 2023. It serves B2C and B2B clients, including real estate developers, architecture firms, general contractors, and design consultants. As of October 2024, it had served around 3,000 B2C clients. It recently partnered with Holo and Kvadrat.

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• Denis Al Aaradzh 29

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• Hadi Mazen 26

Bank of Egypt to launch its prepaid card in early 2024.

Octo has 6,000 users and has raised a seven-figure investment from regional investors.

Gharghar 26 • CEO of Ghrghar Group Nationality: Libyan Residence: U.A.E. Under the Ghrghar Group of Companies, Ghrghar is the CEO of sixteen business interests across three continents. The group works across sectors such as real estate, manufacturing, hospitality, and motor.

Ghrghar is the initiator of the Ghrghar Fund, which includes mentoring Libyan Youth Startups and providing private equity funding up to $2 million. He is also a board member of the Ghrghar Family Office.

• Maimuna Rashid, Aqsa Khalifa 26 25 • Cofounders of Pupilar Nationality: Bangladeshi, Indian Residence: U.A.E.

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Mahmoud Gharghar

• Jad Hamadeh 29 • Founder & CEO of HD Smart Glass Nationality: Lebanese Residence: U.A.E. Hamadeh founded HD Smart Glass in 2021. It’s an enhanced innovative retrofit technology solution that turns standard glass into HD smart film glass, allowing owners to change the appearance of their glass from clear to opaque and vice versa.

It currently exists and operates in nine countries including F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

the U.S., Canada, Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, and Lebanon. The company has worked with top chain hotels such as Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, Paramount Hotel Dubai, Ajman Hotel, and The RitzCarlton Abu Dhabi.

• Karl Marco, Youssef Katamish 28 28

• Cofounders of Octo Nationality: Egyptian Residence: Egypt 17

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Marco launched the independent digital wallet Raseedy in Egypt after securing a non-telco and nonbank mobile wallet license from the Central Bank of Egypt in 2020. Raseedy was acquired by MNT-Halan in early 2021 for a seven-figure USD value. Post-acquisition, Marco exited and the company was rebranded to Halan Cash. Marco then cofounded Octo with Katamish to provide digital banking services. It received approval from the Central

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Rashid and Khalifa cofounded Pupilar in 2019 as a youth hiring and networking platform. It is currently operating in the U.A.E. with more than 3,000 active members and seven industryfocused career clubs. The company has organized 100 events, including career fairs, get-hired membership events, and community club events. It has facilitated over 200 job opportunities.

Pupilar is incubated by players including AREA 2071, an initiative by Dubai Future Foundation, in5 Dubai (by TECOM Group), and EWA Accelerator x Ministry of Economy. It organized the Green Skills Career Fair for youth at Expo City in partnership with COP28.

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• Mahmoud

• Mohamad Jad El Fakhani 27

• Founder & CEO of Beycom LLC Nationality: Lebanese Residence: U.A.E. and Lebanon El Fakhani, known as “Wolfofbey” on social media, is the founder and CEO of Beycom LLC, a company that launches, acquires, and invests in online e-commerce businesses.

Its subsidiaries include the e-commerce training program Wolfofbey and the digital marketing agency Whiteberry Media. Wolfofbey offers training sessions and mentorship programs, with 3,150 successfully launched businesses to date. Wolfofbey has an ambassador partnership with Shopify. Since its launch in October 2023, Whiteberry Media specializes in content creation and has served over 350 clients. Beycom’s affiliated e-commerce stores include Ibtisamati, Bisou, and Stakked.

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• Cofounders of UltraTeb Nationality: Egyptian

Mohamad Jad El Fakhani

• Malek Gedeon, Tara Gedeon 29 29

• Cofounders of Gedeon Group Nationality: Lebanese Residence: U.A.E. The Gedeon siblings cofounded the Gedeon Group in 2019 along with their brother Michel (above 30) in the U.A.E. continuing their family heritage that began in 1949 when their grandfather founded Gedeon & Co. SARL in Lebanon as a fashion agency representing prestigious brands such as Armani and Givenchy. The company serves as a distributor and master franchise for fashion brands F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

such as adidas, PUMA, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger, overseeing operations in over 30 countries across the Middle East and Africa. Headquartered in Dubai, it manages over 200 stores and has more than 100 B2B clients, such as Al Tayer Group, Chalhoub Group, and Al Musbah Group.

• Marcus Munjoma, Ramy Morsy 22 25

• Cofounders of BaytTravel Nationality: British, American Residence: Qatar Munjoma and Morsy cofounded BaytTravel, a luxurious vacation home 17

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rental online marketplace in Qatar. Launched in 2022, it facilitates connections between locals, expats, and travelers. It processed transactions of $180,000 in 2023 and $250,000 between January and August 2024.

It has also expanded its services, operating and listing accommodations in Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.

BaytTravel has partnered with institutions, companies, and hotels in Qatar such as Qatar Tourism, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Qatar Financial Center, and the St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island.

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The Dabees siblings along with Mohamed Hany (now 31) cofounded UltraTeb to connect vendors directly with hospitals, eliminating the need for intermediaries. It also provides financing options, advanced inventory management, and predictive analytics. The company’s services are used by over 50 hospitals and 70 vendors, managing more than 2,500 stock-keeping units. It generated cumulative sales of $350,000 between October 2022 and October 2024.

UltraTeb has secured a $4 million financing allocation from Crédit Agricole to finance its customers. It operates in Egypt and is currently expanding to Nigeria.

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Residence: Egypt

around 60,000 active users, opened 57,902 bank accounts, and issued 11,000 cards. The company has raised over $2 million in funding from Launch Africa Ventures, Rally Cap VC, and Musha Ventures, among others.

Ahmed Al Ojaili, Ghadeer Al Dhuhli 24 25 26

• Cofounders of Bon Nationality: Omani Residence: Oman Bon is a B2B platform that connects hospitality businesses in Oman with suppliers. It has more than 55 suppliers and over 450 clients, including Oman Airports, Omantel, MUSCAFÈ, SANDHILLS, and SWA Cafe.

Bon has raised funding from investors across Oman and GCC such as Omantel, the Oman Technology Fund, and angel investors from Oman and Saudi Arabia. The company is planning to rebrand in December 2024.

Muhammad BinGhatti

• Mohamed Maged, Moaz El-Megharbel 27

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• Cofounders of mtor Nationality: Egyptians

IMAGE FROM SOURCE

Residence: Egypt mtor is an online B2B marketplace that empowers local car mechanics with access to high-quality parts, financing options, and training on new technologies.

Since its inception in 2022, mtor has empowered over 3,500 mechanics in Egypt and processed over 100,000 orders. It has also formed 60 partnerships with the importers and distributors of brands such as Bosch Auto Parts, Valeo, Mobil, Shell, Hyundai MOBIS and DENSO. It has raised more than $3 million from investors, including Algebra Ventures, Dutch Founders Fund F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

• Sherif Bichara 27 (DFF), LoftyInc Capital, Aditum Ventures, Plus VC, Sunny Side Venture Partners, as well as strategic investors.

Binghatti Creek in Dubai, with 21 floors and 400 residential units.

• Muhammad

Kallel 27 29

• Nebras Jemel, Anis

BinGhatti 29

• Cofounders of Flouci

• Cofounder & Chairman of BINGHATTI

Nationality: Tunisians

Nationality: Emirati

Jemel and Kallel cofounded Flouci in 2020, allowing users to open free bank accounts with an IBAN, access savings accounts, and obtain both virtual and physical TNDdenominated cards. The platform also includes a mobile wallet with cardless ATM cashout capabilities, a network of corner stores for in-person cash transactions, and allows users to pay bills and recharge their phones. It operates in Tunisia and plans to go live in Algeria and Morocco by the end of Q1 2025. As of October 2024, it had

Residence: Tunisia

Residence: U.A.E. BINGHATTI’s current portfolio has a value of over $10.9 billion. It has partnerships with global brands, including the automotive brands BUGATTI and Mercedes-Benz as well as Jewelry and Watchmaker JACOB & CO. Its projects include Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co Residences, Binghatti Crescent, and Binghatti Nova.

In March 2023, the company completed the $109 million luxury residential tower 17

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• Cofounder of FlapKap Nationality: Egyptian Residence: Egypt Bichara cofounded FlapKap in Egypt in January 2022 with Ahmad Coucha, Khaled Nassef, and Kunal Harisinghani (all over 30). It provides SMEs with credit decisions within 48 hours, helping them with their cash conversion cycle through the proprietary credit model and onboarding process. Today, the company has a presence in the U.A.E. and Egypt. It has raised more than $37 million in equity and debt funding from investors, including BECO Capital, Pact VC, A15, Nclude, and QED Investors. Bichara was previously on the investment team of Helios Investment Partners, a private equity firm that invests in Africa, where he worked on deals across Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, and Morocco.

NOVEMBER 2024

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• Qais Al Jedyani,

• Talal Attieh 27 • Cofounder & General Partner of Steel Atlas Nationality: Saudi Residence: Saudi Arabia Steel Atlas is a $10 million early-stage venture capital fund that focuses on industrial technology. Steel Atlas has raised funding from investors in the Gulf, Europe, and the U.S., having deployed $5 million in five technology companies: GenLogs, Transmutex, Hedral, Valar Atomics, and Group1.ai. It will complete the deployment of its $10 million fund by Q2 2025. Attieh and his cofounder Cameron Porter (now above 30) will close their $50 million Fund 2 by the end of the year and begin deployment in Q2 2025.

• Yara Ghouth 26 • Cofounder & Commercial Director of Nqoodlet & Founder of Naseej Market Nationality: Saudi Residence: Saudi Arabia Nqoodlet, cofounded by Gouth and Mohamed Milyani (over 30), is a Saudi startup specializing in expense management and card issuance for SMEs. It serves over 400 companies and processed total transactions of over $16 million as of October 2024. The company has partnerships with Zid, EdfaPay, Classera, OptimizeApp, and Qanoniah, among others. It raised $1.2 million in a pre-seed round and is closing a seed funding round of $3.5 million led by Waad Investment. Ghouth also led the development of Startup Saudi, an initiative designed to nurture and grow the kingdom’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting innovation, startups, and investments.

She also founded Naseej Market, a holistic ecosystem to empower creative SMEs in Saudi Arabia.

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Yara AlNamlah

• Yara AlNamlah 24

major brands, including Dior, Hermès, CHANEL, LOEWE, Fendi, Chopard, Prada, Audemars Piguet, Rolls-Royce, and Chaumet.

In 2024, Yara founded When Minds Meet, a holding company with six affiliated companies: Yara Advertising and Publicity Establishment, Treat Salon,

• Founder & CEO of When Minds Meet (WMM Holding) Nationality: Saudi Residence: Saudi Arabia Yara began her career as a social media influencer in 2016. She has since forged partnerships with 17

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SoMatcha, Tinka, Treat Products, and Moonglaze.

Treat Luxury Spa is scheduled to be launched before the end of 2024.

SoMatcha has collaborated with companies such as Vacheron Constantin, FENDI x SKIMS, MARIA TASH, New Balance, SIMIHAZE BEAUTY, Sephora, and Level Shoes.

NOVEMBER 2024

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• Yasmina Hayek 27

• Executive Head Chef at Em Sherif Holding Nationality: Lebanese Residence: Lebanon

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Hayek leads menu creation and execution, culinary and creative direction, training, and international expansion for her family’s Em Sherif restaurant group across MENA, Europe, and South America. It serves over 10,000 customers daily.

The group operates 24 outlets, four directly owned in Lebanon and 20 franchises. The group’s sub-brands include Em Sherif Restaurant, Em Sherif Café, Em Sherif Sea Café, and Em Sherif Deli.

She recently launched Em Sherif in Monaco’s Hotel de Paris, and Em Sherif Deli, a casual eatery in Beirut, with plans to expand the latter to Kuwait, the U.A.E., and other countries.

• Youssef Zoheiry, Ashraf Ezz, Nadine Ayman 26

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• Cofounders of Jellavu Nationality: Egyptians

PHOTOGRAPH BY MUSTAPHA AZAB FOR FORBES MIDDLE EAST

Residence: Egypt Zoheiry, Ezz, and Ayman cofounded Jellavu in 2022 to sell women’s clothing that is designed, sourced, and manufactured in Egypt. The company has eight physical stores in five Egyptian cities of which six stores are already open and two are under construction. They’re currently in discussions with Majid Al Futtaim to expand into its regional malls in the U.A.E. The company has sold around 220,000 pieces since 2022 through its online platform and physical stores.

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Yasmeen Jawaharali

• Yasmeen

Jawaharali 28 • Cofounder & COO of E Daddy Electric Vehicle Manufacturing LLC Nationality: Indian Residence: U.A.E. Jawaharali cofounded E Daddy 17

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with Mansoor Ali Khan (over 30), which specializes in producing electric vehicles for sectors such as last-mile delivery, public transportation, and urban mobility across the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, and Oman. In August 2024, E Daddy raised $15 million in a funding round led by investors such as Kabeer 23

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Khader and Kabeen Khader, the founders of Euroblast Middle East. It has established two manufacturing facilities in Dubai and is set to launch its first purely electric motorcycle in Q1 2025. Yasmeen is also the cofounder of M Auto (which was rebranded to Spiro), which specializes in manufacturing electric vehicles.

NOVEMBER 2024

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Noraldin Al-Deri, Founder and CEO of EICADD, has created a first-of-its-kind AI-powered diagnostic tool that’s setting new standards in pediatric healthcare.

Pushing the frontiers of neurodevelopmental science, his work is reshaping how the world addresses developmental challenges.

BY JAMILA GANDHI Noraldin Al-Deri, Founder and CEO of EICADD.

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n estimated 317 million children and adolescents worldwide live with health conditions that contribute to developmental disabilities, according to 2019 data from UNICEF. In regions like MENA, where specialized healthcare resources and diagnostic tools are often limited, high rates of misdiagnosis lead to delayed or inappropriate interventions that can hinder a child’s development.

“The cost of developmental misdiagnosis is not just delayed treatment; it’s the missed chance to improve a child’s future,” explains Noraldin Al-Deri, Founder and CEO of EICADD, underscoring the need for consistent, reliable diagnostic methods across all regions.

Currently, fewer than half of children globally are screened for developmental issues before the age of three, and diagnoses by the age of eight are even rarer, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Experts attribute this gap to a supply-demand imbalance. There are simply too many children in need of assessment and not enough specialists qualified to conduct the comprehensive evaluations necessary for accurate diagnosis.

To address these diagnostic

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AI’s New Role in Diagnostics

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University of Louisville introduced a new AI-powered tool capable of diagnosing autism in children as young as two with 98.5% accuracy.

The presence of AI in pediatric neurodevelopmental diagnostics is particularly promising in MENA, where healthcare resources and specialized diagnostics are often limited. A 2023 study published by Hamad bin Khalifa University highlighted that the limited availability of Arabic-language tools impedes timely diagnoses, leaving many children without early intervention. However, Arabic-language resources for neurodevelopmental diagnostics remain scarce, a barrier that Al-Deri’s EICADD centers work to overcome. “Providing accessibility to proper knowledge in Arabic is key. Parents thanked us for making information accessible and understandable in their language,” he reflects, emphasizing the importance of inclusive, culturally accessible care.

“This personalized intervention enabled the child, once unable to walk, to thrive in KG1 alongside peers in a regular school setting.”

“Cultural context is vital in pediatric healthcare, especially in the MENA region, where family values, privacy, and trust are central to care,” adds Archya Sengupta, Senior Manager for Healthcare & Life Sciences at JLL MEA. “Technology-driven solutions can be adapted by incorporating multilingual support in Arabic and local dialects, customizable privacy settings, and culturally relatable guidance. Such adaptations ensure that these tools resonate with families, fostering trust, engagement, and ultimately leading to improved care outcomes.” At EICADD, Al-Deri addresses this gap by offering Arabic-language resources and bilingual specialists, ensuring that families receive the support and information they need in a language they understand.

In the face of such regional gaps, AI’s role in improving healthcare accessibility in pediatric neurodevelopment has gained recognition. However, the technology is not without its challenges. Research shows that AI-based tools in healthcare face potential pitfalls such as data privacy issues, algorithmic bias, and the need for representative datasets. Al-Deri acknowledges these challenges and works to address them by training his models on diverse datasets and

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challenges, Al-Deri founded EICADD centers (Early Intervention Centers for Autism and Developmental Disorders) in 2022 at the age of 26. Starting in Jordan and the U.A.E., the centers are MENA’s first AI-powered facilities dedicated to neurodevelopmental diagnostics. At EICADD, families receive early and accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans informed by precision health analysis. “Our approach combines diagnosis, precision health analysis, and rehabilitation; we focus on a 360-degree view of the child,” Al-Deri explains, adding the goal is to equip families with actionable insights and the best possible support to improve their child’s developmental trajectory. By identifying specific genetic markers and physiological traits, EICADD’s approach goes beyond traditional symptom management to address the root causes of neurodevelopmental disorders.

The core innovation of EICADD centers is the Infant Intellectual Auto Classifier, an AI-based diagnostic tool developed by Al-Deri during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Collaborating with experts from institutions such as Harvard, he created a system capable of assessing neurodevelopmental disorders in children as young as four months, with a diagnostic accuracy rate of 99.5%. Unlike traditional methods, which can be highly subjective and inconsistent, the AI tool gathers data-driven insights by collecting physiological and behavioral data, such as heart rate, eye movement, and facial expressions, as the child watches a specially designed animated video.

The tool’s AI algorithms analyze these responses, delivering an objective diagnosis without requiring interaction from the child—a feature that makes it suitable for non-verbal children and those with sensory sensitivities. “This precision tool not only shortens the diagnostic process, which usually takes months or even years but also removes the common frustrations associated with conventional assessment methods,” adds Al-Deri, a scientist by trade. The Infant Intellectual Auto Classifier provides results in just 6.5 minutes, capturing comprehensive data without relying on direct child participation. This efficiency and ease have attracted the attention of parents and healthcare providers alike, making it possible to identify issues early and commence interventions promptly.

In October, using precision health analysis, EICADD treated a rare genetic condition in a child with kat6b, resulting in a 90% improvement in motor skills within 18 months. “This personalized intervention enabled the child, once unable to walk, to thrive in KG1 alongside peers in a regular school setting,” says Al-Deri.

In comparison, in February 2024, a team at the

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collaborating with AI ethics experts to ensure data testament to the power of accurate diagnosis and early security and prevent biases. Beyond the technological intervention.” complexities, Al-Deri also faced challenges in Beyond EICADD, Al-Deri founded Alnakhla scaling his innovations while navigating regulatory Organization for the Well-being of Children, frameworks, a recurring obstacle in the healthcare AI Women, and Youth, a nonprofit focused on providing sector. Advisor to Al-Deri and founder of Neurazon, support for families affected by neurodevelopmental Philip Roman, reflects on these hurdles in the disorders. Through this, he advocates for greater context of Al-Deri’s work: “These challenges existed healthcare accessibility and helps train future but through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge professionals in early intervention techniques. "While technologies, Noraldin not only built proprietary top hospitals in the MENA region are advancing in datasets but also pioneered AI systems that comply AI adoption, readiness among smaller clinics varies,” with global regulatory frameworks,” explains Roman. says JLL’s Sengupta. “Effective implementation of AI Recognizing the stakes involved in AI-powered in pediatric diagnostics will require targeted training, diagnostics, the researcher-turned-entrepreneur robust data infrastructure, and public-private collaborated with teams specializing in both partnerships to ensure these tools are both accessible pediatric care and AI to ensure that the system was and impactful across the region.” not only accurate but also adaptable to meet a wide range of patient needs. “When you diagnose a child “This work feels like my with autism or developmental delays, it requires path, my contribution to the training and time, which not everyone has. AI can be as accurate as a human, but with more consistency,” next generation. Solving Al-Deri notes. these issues and preventing Born to a family of academics in Jordan, Al-Deri’s journey into neurodevelopmental science was misdiagnosis—that’s the goal.” shaped by his own experience with incorrect diagnoses. Misdiagnosed with learning difficulties Al-Deri’s vision for the future is ambitious yet in middle school, he was nearly placed on a grounded in practical goals. He plans to expand path that did not align with his true intellectual EICADD centers to additional countries in MENA, capabilities. This experience left a lasting impact, starting with Qatar in the short term, and he motivating Al-Deri to dedicate his career to is exploring partnerships to make his AI tools preventing other children from enduring the available globally. He is also actively developing new setbacks of misdiagnosis. After completing high AI-driven tools to complement existing EICADD school at just 15, Al-Deri completed his education offerings. His latest focus is a protocol-driven in biochemistry and molecular biology with a focus system for white matter development, designed on neurodevelopmental disorders at Concordia to measure and improve neural connectivity in University, from which he graduated at 19. His children with neurodevelopmental issues. “The studies continued at Concordia, where he completed program emphasizes non-medicinal, homeopathic a master›s and a doctorate in the same field and is treatments, providing a natural alternative to currently pursuing his second doctorate. conventional therapies,” the researcher reveals.

The success of the AI tool has been transformative Additionally, he is exploring AI-powered for thousands of families, according to EICADD. In neurofeedback for children with ADHD, which just over a year, the centers have served more than leverages magnetic resonance and biofeedback 10,000 children across Jordan, the U.A.E., Qatar, to manage symptoms without pharmaceutical and Canada. Each success story underscores the intervention. life-changing potential of accurate diagnosis and Ultimately, Al-Deri envisions a world where personalized care. “For instance, Abdullah, every child has access to timely diagnosis Stay a three-year-old boy initially diagnosed with and treatment, regardless of location or connected with our latest autism and deemed beyond help,” shares background. “Finding my purpose has given business news.

Al-Deri. “He was reassessed at EICADD and me a sense of relief,” he reflects. “This work found to have an enzyme deficiency rather than feels like my path, my contribution to the next ASD. With a targeted treatment plan, Abdullah generation. Solving these issues and preventing began walking and talking within a year—a misdiagnosis—that’s the goal.”

F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

NOVEMBER 2024

PRO M OTI O N Scan this QR code to open the website

Pioneering Luxury Hospitality Hassan Sharbatly, CEO of Al Nahla Hospitality, is making an impact on KSA’s hospitality landscape while continuing his family’s entrepreneurial legacy.

Hassan Sharbatly, CEO of Al Nahla Hospitality

The Sharbatly family boasts a rich entrepreneurial history, with Al Nahla Group counting as a leading family business in the Middle East.

The group holds significant assets across various industries, including real estate and finance, and played an instrumental role in establishing Riyad Bank, the largest private bank in Saudi Arabia, of which Al Nahla Group is the largest shareholder.

Hassan Sharbatly’s strategic utilization of family investments in the Jeddah Tower, set for completion by 2028 and anticipated to become the world’s tallest skyscraper, has further solidified his position in the hospitality sector. This astute maneuver positioned the family for prominence at the budding global landmark and played a pivotal role in his appointment by the

The expressed inOthis F O Rthoughts BESMIDD L E E A S T.C M advertorial are those of the client.

Ministry of Investment as a member of the official Saudi Investment delegation team, as well as a member of The National Tourism Board of Saudi Arabia.

In 2020, Sharbatly also founded Digitect, a 360° marketing solutions firm, in response to the global pandemic, showcasing his ability to identify opportunities amid challenges. As Chairman, he oversees governance and provides strategic guidance as Digitect prepares to go public through an IPO by the end of the year.

Beyond his professional achievements, Sharbatly is deeply committed to societal progress through the Hassan Abbas Sharbatly Foundation for Community Service, emphasizing the importance of giving back and empowering youth.

Sharbatly’s vision aligns with Vision 2030, focusing on innovation and sustainability. He encourages Saudi youth to aim high, embrace challenges as opportunities, and stay steadfast in pursuing their goals. As he continues to lead Nahla Hospitality, Hassan Sharbatly’s influence on the industry is undeniable, making him a notable figure in the kingdom’s transformation.

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assan Sharbatly is one of Saudi Arabia’s leading entrepreneurs, transforming the kingdom’s hospitality sector through his leadership of Nahla Hospitality, a subsidiary of the Al Nahla Group.

Born into a distinguished lineage of entrepreneurs, he draws from his family’s legacy to steer his companies toward achieving Vision 2030’s ambitious goals.

As CEO of Nahla Hospitality, the entrepreneur focuses on creating distinctive experiences and optimizing real estate assets.

Looking ahead to 2028, he aspires to undertake strategic investments in the tourism sector, including upscale hotels acquired from the Accor Group, such as Fairmont, SLS, SO, and 25Hours. His vision also includes partnering with the IHG Group on various projects, including Intercontinental, Six Senses Resorts and Spa, and Voco hotels. These strategic moves aim to diversify the portfolio, strengthen customer relationships, and contribute to the kingdom’s economic growth.

Sharbatly’s influence extends to transformative projects like the Golden Triangle Project on Tahlia, which enhance Jeddah’s luxury hospitality landscape. Under his leadership, significant developments now feature versatile spaces and introduce renowned brands, including the kingdom’s first flagship Ferrari showroom. He has also enriched the local dining scene by bringing in prestigious restaurant brands from the French Moma Group, such as Manko, Noto, Café Lapérouse, and Mimosa, setting new standards for hospitality.

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• Abdel Rahman

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• Cofounder & CEO of Ivvest Nationality: Jordanian Residence: Saudi Arabia Alzubaidi cofounded the indoor farming solutions company “Ivvest” in 2020.

Its solutions include “The Capsule,” which is a vertical farming unit that follows an Indoor Farming as a Service (IFaaS) model, generating yields of 200 plants per square meter. Ivvest installed two capsules in Saudi Arabia in 2024. It is working with two distributors in Riyadh and has R&D installations in Amman. It has 12 capsules in the pipeline with an estimated value of $600,000. Its propitiatory vertical farming system, ivvi Grow, is patent pending.

Ivvest has raised a pre-seed round of $100,000 from Oasis500.

• Ahmed Nassar 28 • Cofounder & CTO of Labtronic, Founder & CEO of AQMAAR Nationality: Egyptian

Ahmed Farouk

• Ahmed Farouk 26 • Cofounder & Head of Business Development at Invictux Nationality: Egyptian Residence: Egypt Farouk cofounded the cybersecurity startup Invictux in 2023 with a focus on Operational Technology F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

and Industrial Control Systems cybersecurity services. It protects the systems that manage industrial operations, critical infrastructure, and utilities, including power grids, water treatment facilities, manufacturing plants, and transportation systems. It has offices in Egypt, the U.A.E., India, and Saudi Arabia, 17

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and is currently expanding into other GCC countries such as Qatar and Oman. It operates two cyber services excellence centers located in Egypt and India. Invictux has worked with 13 clients across MENA, including Saudi Aramco’s Cyberani and ACWA Power in Saudi Arabia.

It has raised $2 million from angel investors.

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Nassar and Mustafa Eliwa (now 31 years old) established Labtronic in 2020 to build Lab equipment for engineering colleges and vocational schools. Its projects’ value in 2024 exceeded $650,000, including all engineering labs at Elsewedy University of Technology and Elsewedy Vocational schools, heat transfer and fluid labs in Zewail City, automotive labs at Mansoura University, fluid labs at Ain Shams University and a renewable energy lab at Aswan University.

Labtronic began as a 25-square-meter room on the Zewail City campus. Today, it operates a 1,500-squaremeter factory and employs 30 people. In 2024, Nassar started a startup, AQMAAR, for space mission technologies.

NOVEMBER 2024

PHOTOGRAPH BY MUSTAPHA AZAB FOR FORBES MIDDLE EAST

Residence: Egypt

Daneshvar 22 • Cofounder of Pioneera Biosciences

• Asmaa Jrad 29 • Postdoctoral Associate at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Nationality: Lebanese

Nationality: Iranian

Residence: U.A.E.

Residence: U.A.E.

Jrad is developing water filtration systems that use advanced covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) as

Daneshvar cofounded Pioneera Biosciences in 2023, focusing on advanced cell and gene therapies. It offers three therapies: the CAR-T for Multiple Myeloma, the Allogenic Adoptive T Cell for preventing CMV infection in post-transplantation patients, and the Allogenic CAR-NK, which is based on mRNA-LNP and indicated for CD19-positive B-Cell malignancies. The Allogenic T Cell Therapy for transplantation patients is advancing through Phase 2 clinical trials, while the CAR-T and Allogenic CAR-NK cell therapies are poised to enter Phase 1 trials.

The company has secured Investigational New Drug status with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. It has filed provisional patents and is in the process of filling PCT applications.

molecularly designed active layers within conventional filters. The COF filter will feature active layers of COFs to remove emerging contaminants. It could be incorporated in water bottles, under the sink, or into shower heads. Jrad has partnered with an industrial entity in the U.A.E. to commercialize

her technology. She has a provisional patent for the technology on PFAS sensing and removal using a cationic covalent-organic framework. She previously worked as a postdoc at AUB and has 11 publications in scientific journals like Chem, JACS, and Nature Communications.

Asmaa Jrad

• Aziz Gamil,

Mustafa Alelayawi 27

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• Cofounders of santra Nationality: Yemeni, Iraqi

PHOTOGRAPH BY MUSTAPHA AZAB FOR FORBES MIDDLE EAST

Residence: U.A.E. Gamil and Alelayawi launched santra in 2023 to provide a digital marketplace, logistical support, and marketing to home-based entrepreneurs and local food brands. It offers city-to-city delivery, having established collaborations with the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development and Dubai SME. santra supports more than 500 sellers and local brands in the U.A.E. and has 50,000 registered users and over 67,000 app downloads. It has raised $1 million in a pre-seed round.

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• Alireza

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• Hamed Albalawi 29 • PhD Candidate at KAUST Nationality: Saudi Residence: Saudi Arabia Albalawi’s PhD research focuses on using 3D printing technology for coral restoration and bone tissue engineering. He has developed a standardized coral skeleton 3D printing technique called 3D CoraPrint that accelerates coral growth by providing a 3D printed structure that closely mimics the natural coral shape or geometry, using a material composed of calcium carbonate. He has also adapted and modified this material for bone tissue engineering applications and conducted post-3D printing tests with mesenchymal stem cells, revealing no cytotoxicity. Albalawi’s research is currently being used to evaluate the potential for further coral growth in the Red Sea.

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• Harsh Sajnani 28 • Founder & CEO of Kingpin Nationality: Indian

Firas Abdulwahed

• Dani Kiyasseh 28 • Machine learning scientist Nationality: Syrian/ American Residence: U.S. Kiyasseh developed an AI system that provides surgeons with feedback on their performance. This system can assess the quality of a comprehensive set of skills and explain the reasons for the assessment. He is working on drafting a provisional patent for his AI system.

Kiyasseh also founded Arabs in Machine Learning, a nonprofit organization focused on engaging researchers in the F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

Arab world. Kiyasseh’s previous work resulted in two patent applications with him as the primary inventor for the use of AI in cardiology, which were granted, and oncology, which will be issued soon.

• Firas

Abdulwahed 29 • Founder & CEO of Sanoflow Technologies Nationality: Syrian/ Romanian Residence: U.A.E. Abdulwahed established Sanoflow in 2021. It is a

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conversational commerce platform that enables B2C businesses to sell on chat platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger.

It also provides insights into team performance, customer engagement, and sales trends. Currently, it serves 243 businesses in the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia, including Novomed, Silkor, DOCIB Pharmacies, Galadari Motor Driving Centre, Belhasa Driving Center, Canadian Medical Center, and Modern Vet. It has raised $500,000 in a pre-seed round from TinySeed, Oraseya Capital, and angel investors.

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Sajnani founded Kingpin in 2021 as a B2B SaaS solution that connects brand distributors to retailers. Today, Kingpin empowers distributors of over 200 brands, including Guess, On, Reebok, Skechers, Billabong, Jockey, and Sam Edelman, giving them access to over 4,000 retailers across 75 countries. It has raised $3.5 million from investors, including COTU Ventures, Outliers Venture Capital, mu ventures, Infinity Ventures, Hub71, and angel investors.

In 2016, Sajnani launched his first company Si Fashion, a fashion distribution business, to diversify his family’s portfolio beyond textiles, manufacturing, and retail.

That business grew to over $10 million in wholesale sales in four years.

NOVEMBER 2024

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Residence: U.A.E.

• Haytham Dbouk 29 • Founder & CEO of Innovating Green Technology (IGT) Nationality: Lebanese Residence: Cyprus Dbouk is the founder and CEO of Innovating Green Technology (IGT), which develops green energy systems. Over the past five years, IGT led more than 350 different implementations in Lebanon, Egypt, and Switzerland in the fields of water, energy, and food. The company secured a WE4F grant in early 2022 to provide solar-powered autonomous wastewater treatment and irrigation reuse schemes in Fayoum, Egypt. IGT has also built solar-powered hybrid solar electric cars in Lebanon to encounter the oil and gas shortage in the country. Dbouk was granted patents in 2017 and 2022.

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• John Rachwan 27 • Cofounder & CTO of Pruna AI Nationality: Lebanese

PHOTOGRAPH BY MUSTAPHA AZAB FOR FORBES MIDDLE EAST

Residence: Germany Rachwan cofounded Pruna AI in November 2023. The AI tool employs compression techniques to develop AI models that are smaller, faster, and environmentally friendly.

It has two clients, including Virtual Staging AI and Scenario as well as pilot clients such as Volkswagen, Samsung, and Gladia. As of September 2024, Pruna AI secured around $6.4 million in seed funding, led by EQT Ventures and supported by daphni, Motier Ventures, and Kima Ventures, as well as angel investors.

• Kamil Elkhoury 29 • Postdoctoral Associate at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Nationality: Lebanese Residence: U.A.E. Elkhoury’s research focuses on organ engineering and F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

Kamil Elkhoury

bioprinting, tackling the critical scarcity of transplantable organs in modern medicine.

Using bioprinting technology, Elkhoury constructs complex living tissue that closely mimics natural organs. This precision in tissue architecture is crucial for ensuring functionality and biocompatibility, ultimately addressing the urgent need for viable transplantable organs.

His doctoral research on 3D bioprinting of nanocomposite polymers for tissue engineering applications earned him a Best Thesis Award and the European Doctorate Label. He is in the

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process of filing a provisional patent in the U.S. and a PCT application through NYU’s patent office.

• Kevin Hani 25 • Cofounder & CPO of ELEVEN22 Nationality: Lebanese Residence: U.A.E. Hani cofounded ELEVEN22 in 2023 to create hyperrealistic digital twins and immersive BIM visualizations.

It enables buyers to explore

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virtual representations of real estate developments in comprehensive detail, eliminating the necessity for in-person visits. Its clients include Miami’s GL Homes, Rivercity in Congo, Olayan, and Alandalus Mall in Saudi Arabia, and Australia’s Toga. He is also developing BINA, a mobile app tailored for the GCC. Hani previously cofounded TripnTap, a travel app that allows users to find new adventures, book trips, and rent equipment in the Middle East, which was acquired by Mughamer.com in Sharjah for $953,000 in 2022.

NOVEMBER 2024

• Muhammad AbuElgheit 29

• Cofounder & CEO of TechieMatter Nationality: Egyptian Residence: Egypt and Saudi

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AbuElgheit started a tech talent acquisition and onboarding solution, TechieMatter, in June 2020. It uses a hybrid system of AI and human networks to help companies manage the entire recruitment process. It is currently present in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. and is expanding into the U.A.E. It has more than 850 registered companies, including CIB, Thmanyah, ejada, Valeo, ELARABY Group, B.TECH, and Union Coop, with more than 11,000 tech talents from 16 countries. To date, it has secured $270,000 in a preseed round from investors, including 500 Global, Flat6Labs, TAQADAM by KAUST, and enpact.

• Mohanad

Alkhodari 29 • DPhil Student at University of Oxford, Founder of HyTwin Nationality: Palestinian

Mohanad Alkhodari

• Marwa Khost 29 • Communications Manager, Google Middle East and North Africa Nationality: Syrian Residence: U.A.E. Khost leads the communications campaigns of Google’s products and tools for Arabic users, including Search, Maps, Translate, Google Street View, and Google Arts & Culture, among others, with a focus on AI-powered technologies. Her latest communications campaign was the launch of Google’s Generative AI-powered tool, Gemini in Arabic, F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

by focusing on and identifying the tool’s language capabilities and its cultural relevance.

To simplify tech in Arabic, Khost co-created a YouTube show called “Googleyat.”

She’s facilitating training for teachers as well as other members of the community on how to use Generative AI tools to fuel their productivity.

• Yousef Al-

Musaileem 29 • CEO of Tamam Nationality: Kuwaiti Residence: Saudi Arabia 17

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Al-Musaileem became acting CEO of Tamam in August 2021 and CEO a year later in August 2022. Tamam is a Shariahcompliant fintech that provides micro-financing services and loans.

Al-Musaileem was a key member of the founding team from Zain Group that established Tamam in Saudi Arabia in 2019.

As of September 2024, the company’s app had been downloaded over 3.4 million times, with more than $500 million disbursed between August 2021 and September 2024.

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Alkhodari is a Doctor of Philosophy student of Medical Sciences (AI in Cardiology) at the University of Oxford’s Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility. He developed HyTwin, an AI-based digital twin for the assessment of hypertension progression.

This tool, which is used for non-technical individuals in the clinic or at home, provides an early assessment of a patient’s condition and ensures continuous monitoring for hypertension progression or deterioration. He has a U.S. patent under review, backed

by Oxford Science Enterprises, and is launching HyTwin as a startup with his team. Alkhodari has authored and co-authored three book chapters and more than 40 scientific papers.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY MUSTAPHA AZAB FOR FORBES MIDDLE EAST

Residence: U.A.E. and U.K.

• Nada Raafat Elkharashi 28

• Cofounder & Chief Creative Officer of Electric Skin Nationality: Egyptian Residence: Qatar

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Elkharashi cofounded Electric Skin in 2021, a project that generates electricity from ambient air using innovative biomaterials. It is currently in the production phase with the first product being BioVolt, a sticker that functions as a body temperature sensor, alerting users when their temperature exceeds 38 degrees. Electric Skin has also developed a flexible self-powering battery that recharges as long as there is air. It is in advanced discussions with a pharmaceutical company to integrate the technology into its medical products. Elkharashi and her three cofounders have filed a U.S. provisional patent for the Self-Powering Biomaterial from Ambient Air Humidity technology.

• Nadin Younes 29 • Research Associate at Qatar University, and a fourth-year PhD candidate in the College of Health Sciences Nationality: Egyptian

PHOTOGRAPH BY MUSTAPHA AZAB FOR FORBES MIDDLE EAST

Residence: Qatar Younes is helping develop point-of-care diagnostic tests for detecting two infectious enteric viruses: Hepatitis E virus and Norovirus, two significant foodborne pathogens. This will result in two intellectual properties for Qatar University, with the first application submitted for the rapid Norovirus test “NorTest.”

Younes’ team is working towards its registration as a Class II medical device under the Ministry of Public Health, paving the way for market entry and commercialization. It is currently validating the HEV test with clinical samples. It has secured funding, including the National Priorities Research Program grant from the Qatar F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

Nada Raafat Elkharashi

National Research Fund and the Graduate Sponsorship Research Award.

• Noraldin Al-Deri 27 • Scientist, Founder & CEO of EICADD Nationality: Jordanian Residence: U.A.E. and Jordan Al-Deri invented an AI-powered assessment technology that provides early diagnosis for autism and developmental disorders. The invention has a provisional patent and a PCT application pending, with a current target date for international publication set for November 2024. In July 2022, Al-Deri founded EICADD centers in

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Jordan and the U.A.E. with plans to open additional centers in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. To date, it has impacted over 4,000 children across MENA, providing them with early diagnosis and personalized treatment plans that have improved their developmental outcomes. It secured a total funding of $5 million from angel investors with participation from the Qatar Foundation.

• Omar Zaghloul, Mohamed AlMoatasm 25 26

• Cofounders of AlProtein Nationality: Egyptians Residence: Egypt 24

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Zaghloul and AlMoatasm cofounded AlProtein in 2023, which uses AI to co-culture microalgae and floating plants in deserted lands in MENA to craft alternative protein solutions for vegan cheese and meat manufacturers. It is present in Cairo and Berlin and raised a six-figure amount in funding from the European Union, GIZ, UN Innovation Fund, Ayman Abbas’s A Ventures Group, and ProVeg International, along with angel investors.

The company secured contracts amounting to over $1.2 million from businesses in Egypt, Germany, the U.A.E., and the U.K. In 2024, it expanded its annual production capacity 10 times to reach 10,000 kilograms.

NOVEMBER 2024

• Sara Alkhoori 28 • Researcher at Khalifa University Nationality: Emirati Residence: U.A.E. Alkhoori, a recent PhD graduate from Khalifa University, specializes in materials science and engineering, particularly catalysis for sustainable fuel production. Her research centers on the production of biofuels from renewable sources such as palm oil, with a primary emphasis on designing catalytic materials for the deoxygenation process that converts palm oil into carbon-neutral renewable fuels. Alkhoori filed a provisional application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and co-authored 15 journal publications. She is a nominated technical advisor for synchrotron-related activities in the U.A.E. at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.

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• Suhaib Ajlouni 29 • Cofounder & CTO of Cybervize

• Rahaf Elobaid 25 • Manager - Scientific Innovation & Strategy Manager at Leader Life Sciences

modeling research facilities.

Leader Life Sciences aims to be a technology partner in national biobank projects across the GCC, allowing for advancements in biomedical research in the region.

Nationality: Sudanese Residence: U.A.E.

• Salma Younes 28

Elobaid, a biomedical scientist, spearheads the integration of technologies like 3D bioprinting, automated biobanking, laboratory automation, digital pathology, and animal research solutions across the GCC region. Leader Life Sciences has brought on board innovative technologies such as 3D bioprinting that have been implemented in drug discovery and disease

• Ph.D. candidate at Qatar University

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Nationality: Egyptian Residence: Qatar Younes’s research focuses on developing sustainable antimicrobial hydrogels, offering potential alternatives to antibiotics. She works on a 2D diphosphate nanocrystalline hydrogel 17

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project, aiming to innovate skincare by developing eco-friendly and biocompatible solutions for acne management and treatment. The hydrogel is in the advanced stages of patent filing, working with the Innovation and Intellectual Property Office at Qatar University. Younes is also in discussions with potential commercialization partners.

The hydrogel project has received an academic research grant totaling $247,253 per year for up to three years, and $27,420 in incubation funds from the SIEED Office. Her work has resulted in over 40 peerreviewed publications.

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Nationality: Jordanian Residence: Jordan and Germany Ajlouni cofounded Cybervize in September 2023 to offer a SaaS-based cybersecurity solutions tailored for midsized enterprises. The company secured $894,000 in funding from the BMBF’s StartUpSecure program, with ongoing negotiations for an additional $3 million in equity financing from other investors.

The entrepreneur previously founded MenteeGuru, a platform facilitating mentorship connections across various industries, having attracted over 1,200 mentors and 10,000 mentees worldwide. He sold 80% of MenteeGuru to a German angel investor at a valuation of $502,672.

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Rahaf Elobaid

• Wael Othman 27 • Postdoctoral Associate at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Nationality: Syrian Residence: U.A.E.

• Yousef Amoura 28 • Cofounder & CEO of Sager Nationality: Jordanian Residence: Jordan Wael Othman

• Tarek Mokhtar 26 PHOTOGRAPH BY MUSTAPHA AZAB FOR FORBES MIDDLE EAST

• Cofounder & CPO of Swypex Nationality: Egyptian Residence: Egypt Mokhtar cofounded Swypex in March 2022 and launched publicly in May 2024. It offers a financial management platform to empower businesses with control and visibility over their financial health. Its products include smart corporate cards, invoice and expense management products, and direct integrations with enterprise resource planning software, as well as an E-invoicing F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

portal, and a rewards platform. It currently operates in Egypt, with a subsidiary in the U.A.E. for the GCC expansion. It raised $4 million in a seed round led by Accel in May 2024. The platform has onboarded over 400 businesses since it went live four months ago.

• Usama Nini 28 • Cofounder of Qureos Nationality: Canadian/ Pakistani Residence: U.A.E. Nini cofounded the AI-powered platform Qureos

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in 2022 to connect employers with qualified candidates.

For businesses, its product “Iris” offers access to over seven million talents across the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Egypt. For job seekers, Qureos offers personalized job recommendations using AI-driven matching. It has over 100 registered companies. It has raised $4 million in funding from investors, including COTU Ventures, Hub71, Oraseya Capital, Sunny Side Venture Partners, Flat6Labs Abu Dhabi, Colle Capital, Alzayani Investments, and angel investors.

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Amoura founded the SaaS and Robots as a Service (RaaS) company, Sager, in 2018 to enable businesses to integrate robotic solutions. It provides reality data capture such as aerial mapping and surveying and data analysis, application-specific analysis of multiple and large datasets, extracting insights and foresight, as well as AI services tailored for specific industry needs. It has 150 clients such as Fotowatio Renewable Ventures and ACWA Power, with over 7,500 sites such as telecom towers, solar farms, wind turbines, and construction sites. It has raised $800,000 in funding and is going through a Series A funding round to raise $10 million.

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Othman invented “LaparoSense,” an improved sensory system that aims to address the absence of tactile sensation in minimally invasive surgery using sensors on the handle of laparoscopic graspers. The sensor-equipped handle is reusable and can integrate with surgical grasping end effectors, helping prevent tissue damage and improve the diagnostic process by accurately detecting tumors and inflammation.

The technology is ready for commercialization. Othman is currently working with the NYUAD patents office to file the non-provisional patent for the tactile sensation in minimally invasive surgery. He has also developed a novel soft tactile sensor based on emerging microfluidics technology.

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Ahmed Sidam, Mohammed Alsulaiman

• Ahmed Sidam,

Mohammed Alsulaiman 27 26 • Cofounders of PhysioHome Nationality: Saudi Residence: Saudi Arabia and U.A.E., Saudi Arabia The duo established PhysioHome in 2021 to treat patients suffering from physical issues. It provides personalized home care services through two main products: Ameen Care, F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

tailored for adults and elderly patients, and Tuful, which focuses on rehabilitating children with injuries and behavioral disorders. It provides services to over 10,000 patients across four cities in Saudi Arabia and has secured $1.4 million in funding from investors, including 500 Global, Sanabil Investments, SVC, OQAL, and angel investors. PhysioHome generated over $2 million in gross merchandise value in 2023. It has 100 active therapists, with 1,000 17

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therapists on its waiting list.

• Ali Hakem 27 • Founder of Shbabuna Foundation Nationality: Iraqi Residence: Iraq Hakem has been involved in social work and volunteerism since 2015 and founded the youth group Shbabuna. His foundation has organized around 1,250 initiatives and volunteer activities 23

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over the past nine years and has supported 500,000 individuals in total across Iraq. It executed projects and programs in more than 70 cities and launched 14 projects in charity, education, culture, youth, children, and women.

The foundation serves over 150,000 students annually through on-ground and online activities and programs.

Hakem has collaborated with NGOs such as UNDP Iraq, the National Democratic Institute, USAID, and The GoetheInstitut.

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• Farkad Adnan 28 • University Professor & CEO of the Arduino International Innovation Foundation Nationality: Iraqi Adnan invented an electronic device for blind people with special needs to help them interact with their surrounding environment. He also invented a scientific research project for foldable chips that are implanted in the human body to predict cancer early, along with a braincomputer interface system (BCI) technology to decode the brain’s neural signals that represent writing letters on the computer for people with special needs. Adnan has been granted two patents, one from Iraq and the second from China and he is in the process of issuing a third one in Iraq with a patent application for the BCI under review by the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Hazem Awad

• Bisan Owda 25

• Dubai Abulhoul 27

• Head of Communications and Reporting at UN WFP Palestine

• Journalist, activist, and filmmaker

• Founder & CEO of Fiker Institute

Nationality: Egyptian

Nationality: Palestinian

Nationality: Emirati

Residence: U.K.

Residence: Palestine

Residence: Palestine

Residence: U.A.E.

Zaki became the Head of Communications and Information Management at WFP Palestine in March 2022, after spending several years at WFP’s headquarters in Rome and serving on missions around the world in countries such as Ethiopia, Türkiye, and Bangladesh. She has led humanitarian campaigns for Gaza that have helped to raise $5 million through individual donations. In her role, she led the teams through the ideation, scriptwriting, and production of digital content highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, interviewing families to highlight their stories, and engaging with activists and other influential individuals to help amplify their voices.

In September 2024, the Palestinian journalist, activist, and filmmaker Bisan Owda won the Outstanding Hard News Feature Story: Short Form at the News and Documentary Emmy Awards for her ongoing project, “It’s Bisan From Gaza and I’m Still Alive,” created with AJ+. The series of videos documents Owda’s life in Gaza since the war began in October 2023. As of October 2024, Owda had over 4.8 million followers on Instagram, over 1.2 million followers on TikTok, and 36,600 subscribers on YouTube where she has been creating videos since 2021 under the name Hakawatya.

Abulhoul founded the international affairs think tank, the Fiker Institute, in September 2021. It serves as a platform to advance two-way dialogue between the Arab world and the international community to test ideas, debate constructs, and develop deeper intellectual understanding. In November 2023, she launched the institute’s politics library as part of its expansion plans, housing over 15,000 books on foreign policy, global politics, and international development.

She is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Geopolitics and a Trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation.

Awad approaches finding solutions for the reduction of harmful emissions that result from the burning of fossil fuels. During his PhD, he worked on a relatively new combustion mode called ‘flameless combustion’ that can achieve ultra-low NOx emissions. He proposed modeling equations of that combustion mode, which will contribute to more environmentally friendly gas turbines and aircraft engines.

He is working with RollsRoyce to design a hydrogenfueled aircraft. This involves testing different designs using computational fluid dynamics to find the most optimum design that will be installed on the aircraft and achieve the least amount of emissions.

• Alia Zaki 27

PHOTOGRAPH BY MUSTAPHA AZAB FOR FORBES MIDDLE EAST

• Hazem Awad 29

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• Research Associate at the University of Cambridge Nationality: Egyptian

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Residence: Iraq

she registered Medonations France, establishing its first European headquarters to enhance support for Lebanon.

Medonations saved over 20,000 lives by addressing critical healthcare needs and covered the costs of more than 110 surgeries. It has obtained $70,000 from individual contributions and companies’ sponsorships to build its free healthtech physical clinic.

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• Maya Ghazal 24 • Pilot Nationality: Syrian Residence: U.K.

Mohamed Refai

• Founding member of Youth Entrepreneurs Network (YEN) and Global Young Professionals Network (GYPN) Nationality: Egyptian Residence: Egypt YEN has been operating since 2018 and was officially registered as an NGO in late 2023, connecting stakeholders within the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

GYPN empowers and connects young professionals.

Zalat’s responsibilities include shaping the strategic direction and overseeing the operations of both organizations. YEN has over 160 members while GYPN has more than 450 members across its active hubs in the U.S., Egypt, and South Korea.

YEN’s activities have been funded by USAID while GYPN receives funding from the F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Egypt.

Zalat has accumulated over 1,200 hours of social business consultation.

for the platform in Arabic.

Galvão has been instrumental in leading Key2Enable’s expansion to Europe, the U.S., and regional countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The company raised $650,000 in funding from investors, including B37 Ventures, J&F Holdings, and Krypto Labs.

• Karla Galvão 28 • Cofounder & Head of Media and Communication at Key2Enable Assistive Technology

El Khawand 22

Key2Enable caters to children on the neurodiversity spectrum or with motor and physical disabilities, enabling them to get personalized education journeys according to their needs. It was established in 2019, with Galvão handling the marketing and overseeing the localization of the product.

The company is working with educators from the region to translate available content and create new content 19

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Residence: Egypt and U.K.

• Marina

Residence: U.A.E.

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• Founder & Host of Moghamra Nationality: Egyptian

Nationality: Brazilian

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• Mohamed Refai 26

• Founder & President of Medonations Nationality: Lebanese Residence: Lebanon El Khawand founded the Medonations NGO at the age of 18 to provide free medical assistance in Lebanon after the Beirut explosion.

In 2022, she launched Medonations’ Free HealthTech Clinic in Beirut. In 2023, 23

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Refai launched Moghamra, a podcast on startups and VCs in MENA, in June 2023. Since then, he has interviewed speakers from VCs and startups such as Swvl, MaxAB, Thndr, Nawy, Wuzzuf, Bosta, Gameball, Lendo, Tribal, Endure Capital, Dubai Future District Fund, and Shorooq Partners. Moghamra is expanding with the launch of Moghamra Studios, an independent production and media house. Its sponsors include Nawy, Wuzzuf & Forasna.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY MUSTAPHA AZAB FOR FORBES MIDDLE EAST

• Ibrahim Zalat 27

Ghazal has been an advocate for UNHCR since 2017 and became a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR in 2021, helping to fundraise for humanitarian emergencies. The Syrian refugee has spoken to governments and decision-makers around the world advocating for access to education and safe legal pathways for refugees.

She is training to become a commercial pilot and is due to get her wings in 2025. She fled Damascus to begin a new life in the U.K. at the height of the Syrian conflict in 2015 and graduated from Brunel University of London with a degree in aviation engineering and pilot studies. She received the Princess Diana Legacy Award in 2017.

Naglaa Mohamed 23 24

• Cofounders of P-Vita Nationality: Egyptians Residence: Egypt Tarek and Mohamed cofounded P-Vita in 2022 as a B2B startup specializing in recycling agricultural waste into sustainable, vegan, and natural ingredients for F&B products. It sells license agreements to F&B manufacturing and distributors who want to establish their own lines. It currently has five products. The company has received more than $200,000 as non-equity funding from UNICEF, inDrive, Greenish, and COP28. P-Vita has graduated from programs such as 500 Global, Plug and Play, Mega Green Accelerator powered by PepsiCo, and SABIC. It has 10 B2B clients and has obtained a patent for its innovative deep technology, which enables it to reduce carbon emissions and use agri-culture waste.

January 2024, Diva’Me raised $1 million in a pre-seed round.

• Najla Abdellatif 29 • Founder of Zero Waste Palestine Nationality: Palestinian/ Swedish Residence: Palestine

Zero Waste Palestine raises awareness of environmental issues and inspires households to adopt waste-free and sustainable practices in the Arab world.

Starting as a blog in 2017, Zero Waste Palestine now has over 159,000 followers on Instagram. As of October 2024, Abdellatif’s digital

content had achieved over 30 million views across various platforms, with her news coverage reaching five million views. Her audience comes from North Africa, the Levant, and the GCC. She has also delivered over 80 workshops and initiated and managed more than five projects, benefiting over 2,000 people.

Najla Abdellatif

• Nadine Audi 23 • Cofounder & CEO of Diva’Me Nationality: Palestinian/ Russian

PHOTOGRAPH BY MUSTAPHA AZAB FOR FORBES MIDDLE EAST

Residence: U.A.E. Audi cofounded Diva’Me alongside her husband Prashant Prahlad (who is over 30) in 2023 to provide reusable menstrual products.

It currently has more than 30 products, including period panties, swimwear, beachwear, and intimate skincare, and has sold 5,000 items in the GCC, India, and Russia. It is currently developing intimate care, including intimate wash, intimate antibacterial spray, and a brightening serum. It is also developing an AI-based app to track menstrual health, emotional health, and environmental impact during menstruation, which is set to be launched in the form of a wearable smartwatch. In F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

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• Mohamed Tarek,

Omar Bakri, Ali Bakri, Hamdan Karmustaji

• Omar Bakri, Ali

Bakri, Hamdan Karmustaji 26 24 26 • Cofounders of Thiqa Tutoring Nationality: Jordanian, Jordanian, Emirati Residence: U.A.E. The three entrepreneurs cofounded Thiqa Tutoring in June 2022, which provides one-on-one tutoring sessions.

Today, it has a presence in four cities. It offers three main services—one-to-one tutoring, one-to-one educational consultations, and shadow teachers—with plans to introduce VR Tutoring. It has 1,800 active students. Its content encompasses over 40,000 hours of recorded lessons. It has raised $409,000 from six investors including Amira Sajwani, Mohamad Ballout, Faisal Belhoul, Hope Ventures, and JEO Capital Management.

• Omar El-Barbary, Ezz El-Din Farag

• Omar Itani 28

• Rahma Ben Abid 28

• Salem Ghanam 28

• Cofounders of OBM Education

• Founder & General Manager of FabricAID

• Cofounder & CEO of Shape Nationality: Tunisian

• Cofounder & CEO of AgriCan

Nationality: Egyptians

Nationality: Lebanese

Residence: Tunisia

Nationality: Egyptian

Residence: Egypt and

Residence: Lebanon

Ben Abid is the cofounder and CEO of Shape, a Tunisian edtech digital platform that allows professionals to access continuous learning training. Users can develop a personalized training plan that meets their career plan.

Shape was established in Tunisia, and it is operational in Oman and Morocco, with customers across MENA. It has over 2,000 daily active users. It offers content across marketing, business, IT, and design. It has attracted an undisclosed amount of funding from the Oman Technology Fund.

Shape also targets kids with disabilities like dyslexia. By 2026, the focus will expand to include individuals with physical disabilities.

Residence: Egypt

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Saudi Arabia El-Barbary and Farag cofounded OBM Education to provide students with AI-driven tools for academic and career guidance through its Taleb super app, which served over two million students between 2020 and 2023. The app has over 326,000 registered users. It offers AI-driven assessments, skill-building content, college comparison tools, mentorship, and an integrated rewards system. The duo plans to add a Taleb Wallet for payments in 2025. They entered the Saudi market in June 2024 and plan to launch in the U.A.E. in 2025. To date, OBM Education has raised $810,000 in seed funding, from Edventures, Value Maker Studio, and two angel investors.

F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

Itani founded FabricAID in 2017 to collect second-hand clothing from privileged areas, fashion retailers, and international charities to be predominately sold at micro-prices to marginalized communities via stores it creates and operates.

It has around 500 collection points with around 350 installed and 150 in stock between Lebanon and Jordan. It has sold over a million items of clothing to 250,000 customers and generated $1.4 million in revenues in 2023. It has raised more than $4 million from investors, including VIRIDIS Fund Solutions, Wamda Capital, Globivest, Amam Ventures, Abou Adal Family office, and Alfanar, along with angel investors. FabricAID has more than 13 retail stores in Lebanon and Jordan.

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Ghanam cofounded AgriCan in Egypt in 2020, creating agricultural drones for disease detection. In 2023, he pivoted to ground robotics, specializing in pesticide-spraying robots.

It offers spraying services, customized robots for crop transportation inside greenhouses, and produces fixed devices for agricultural data collection. The company has a contract to deliver 23 robots in 2025 and will open its first agrobotics factory in Egypt in the same year.

AgriCan is currently working with five farms and has scanned over 5,350 acres.

AgriCan has been selected by the UN to represent Egypt at COP29 in Azerbaijan as part of Egyptian agricultural startups.

Ghanam has applied for a patent.

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• Sara Ghanem 23 • Cofounder of DOODA Solutions Nationality: Lebanese Residence: Lebanon Sara and her sister Nada (now above 30) cofounded DOODA Solutions, which uses advanced earthworm technology to convert organic waste into solid and liquid vermicompost. Since its inception in 2018, DOODA Solutions has processed 4,500 tons of organic waste and produced over 3,800 tons of organic fertilizer at its 2,000 m² facility. It can produce 1,200 tons of solid vermicompost annually, and 600,000 liters a year of liquid vermicompost. The company has 12,000 clients. It has secured $300,000 in grants.

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• Seif Amr Kassem,

Mariam Amer, Youssef Abdelhamid, Mohamed Samer 23 23

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• Cofounders of Tutoruu Nationality: Egyptian

IMAGE FROM SOURCE

Residence: Egypt Kassem, Amer, Abdelhamid, and Samer cofounded Tutoruu, a university-specific social network app that connects undergraduate students looking to get course-specific support with peers who have done that course before. It is a certified social enterprise

by Abu Dhabi’s Ma’an, the Authority of Social Contribution. Tutoruu offers peer tutoring, expert Q&A, and AI assistance through an app, which had 17,000 downloads and 4,000 signedup tutors as of October 2024.

It has facilitated around 800 tutoring job opportunities. It has raised $80,000 in funding, including $70,000 in nondilutive capital from grants and competitions, including the Shark Tank Egypt Golden Ticket and Ma’an grant.

F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

Tareq Hailat

• Souleima Ben Temime, • Tareq Hailat 27 Khaoula Ben Ahmed, Sirine Ayari, Ghofrane Ayari 28 28 28 27 • Cofounders of GEWINNER Nationality: Tunisian Residence: Tunisia Temime, Ahmed, and the Ayari sisters cofounded GEWINNER in 2019 to provide mobility solutions for individuals with special needs. It offers four driving modes through its first product, MOOVOBRAIN, a driving system for powered wheelchairs based on AI, allowing people with disabilities to control their wheelchairs using a mobile app and an electronic board plugged into the joystick of the wheelchair. The founders hold a national patent in Tunisia.

MOOVOBRAIN was recently selected as one of the top three finalists by the European Patent Office in the Young Inventors Prize 2024, out of 550 global proposals.

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• Vidana Abdel

• Director of Global Patient Affairs at the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF)

Khalek 28

Nationality: Jordanian

Nationality: Egyptian

Residence: U.S.

Residence: U.A.E.

Hailat led an initiative to evacuate injured children from Gaza through connections with hospital systems and collaborations with corporate entities such as the World Health Organization and the European Union’s Emergency Task Force. As of October 2024, 100 children had been evacuated from Gaza to Egypt, and 236 children in total had been treated outside of Gaza. Hailat secured funding from volunteers. PCRF stepped in to fund all future evacuations from January 2024. Hailat joined PCRF as the head of the Treatment Abroad Program before being promoted to director of global patient affairs in August 2024.

Abdel Khalek manages the safety of the captains and the riders at Careem by developing scaled policies and processes.

She started her career at META and held roles at TikTok and Google. She played a key role in formulating META’s global Human Exploitation policies and addressing issues like sex trafficking, organ trafficking, human smuggling, and domestic servitude. She led the first Labor Exploitation policy at META with a commitment to fostering a safer digital environment. Abdel Khalek also helped lead the development of TikTok’s first Human Exploitation strategy and policy. She previously led Google’s Trust and Safety efforts in France and SubSaharan Africa.

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• Program Manager, Safety at Careem

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• Yomna Mohei El Din 28

• Research Fellow at Harvard Growth Lab Nationality: Egyptian Residence: U.S.

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Mohei El Din works with the governments of Morocco and Azerbaijan to provide policy recommendations for their economic growth and structural transformation policies.

She is also a consultant at the World Bank and is working on a project to develop a macroeconomic model to analyze the interplay between climate policies and economic indicators such as growth, trade, inflation, and employment. She was part of the Central Bank of Egypt’s Economist, Money, and Capital Markets Department for over two years.

• Yousef Alhusaini,

Yaakoub Benarab

Bader Al-Rasheed

• Yaakoub

• Yahia Bouhlel

Darwich 24

• Cofounders of Baims

• Cofounder & CEO of Snai3i

• Cofounder & CEO of GOMYCODE

• Founder & CEO of DonaLeb

Nationality: Kuwaiti, Saudi

Nationality: Algerian

Nationality: Tunisian

Nationality: Lebanese

Residence: Kuwait, Saudi

Residence: Algeria

Residence: Tunisia

Residence: Lebanon

Arabia

Benarab cofounded the EdTech company Snai3i in 2020 alongside Ishaq Aggoune (now aged 31). It is a curriculum marketplace where any school, university, or company can buy curriculums and implement them. Their five-year program builds engineering and entrepreneurial skills in children under 16. Over 10,000 children and youth have joined Snai3i’s Kids’ Engineering University. The platform has 200 teachers, 15 private schools, two private universities, and two companies. It has four branches in Algeria with plans to expand regionally in Qatar, the U.A.E., and Oman. It has also launched a curriculum store to share its expertise with other educational institutions.

Bouhlel cofounded the educational platform GOMYCODE in 2017 with Amine Bouhlel (now over 30) to provide a mix of online and in-person curricula. It was launched in Tunisia and is now present in 40 locations in eight other countries across Africa and the Middle East.

It has 50,000 students and enrolls up to 1,200 students per month, with the capacity to enroll up to 2,500 students monthly. By 2023, it had trained 10,100 students and created over 3,000 proprietary videos in localized languages.

GOMYCODE has secured $12 million in funding from investors, including Wamda Capital, AfricInvest, Flat6Labs, Launch Africa, Proparco, and Fondation Botnar.

Darwich is the Founder and CEO of DonaLeb, a fitness and wellness platform designed to promote employee engagement through virtual fitness challenges, while also supporting charitable causes. The app transforms activities like walking or running into donations for nonprofits while rewarding employees with perks such as healthy meal plans and gym subscription discounts.

DonaLeb has seen over 50,000 app downloads since its inception in 2022, with over 5,000 active monthly users. It secured partnerships with the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum along with several NGOs.

Alhusaini and Al-Rasheed established Baims in 2017 to provide educational content to university and high school students in MENA. It had over 350,000 students, 140,000 videos, and 7,500 courses, as of August 2024. The company has secured $7 million in funding, with the latest being a $4 million Series A round in March 2023 led

by AK Holding Group, with the participation of the Al-Wazzan Educational Group and Rasameel Investment House. In January 2024, Baims acquired the Egyptian firm Orcas Tutoring. It currently operates in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the U.A.E., Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain.

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IMAGE FROM SOURCE

Benarab 28

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Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. December 10th & 11th, 2024

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For more information and registration details Stay Connected!

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NOVEMBER 2024

SUSTAINABILITY LEADERS SUMMIT

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H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi Honors Sustainability Leaders at Forbes Middle East’s 2024 Sustainability Leaders Summit in Abu Dhabi Over 3,000 experts, leaders, and attendees gathered to discuss the most pressing topics on climate change and progress toward a green economy.

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.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, recognized sustainability leaders making significant strides in environmental stewardship and social responsibility at Forbes Middle East’s second annual Sustainability Leaders Summit, held on October 17-18, at the Marina Hall, ADNEC Center, Abu Dhabi, under the theme ‘Shaping a Sustainable Tomorrow.’

The summit featured a series of insightful panels and sessions focused on sustainable practices and innovation across various crucial topics, including harnessing intelligent technologies for green innovations, advancing agricultural farming practices for food system resilience, and the critical transition to renewable energy solutions. Discussions also covered areas such as the effects of ethical sourcing, principles of the

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circular economy, and improving functionality in sustainability.

Among the notable speakers at the summit were H.E. Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi; H.E. Abdulla Abdulalee Abdulla Al Humaidan, Secretary General of the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination; H.E. Eng. Abdulla Mohammed Al Marzouqi, Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre; H.E. Lucie Berger, Ambassador of the European Union to the U.A.E; Eng. Yasser Zaghloul, Group CEO of the NMDC Group; Saeed Alghafri, CEO of Emirates Steel, part of the EMSTEEL Group; Muhammad BinGhatti, Chairman of Binghatti Holding; Khuloud Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer at the Emirates Foundation and Secretary General of the ne’ma National Steering Committee; Mohammed AlMansour, Head of

Communications at the ROSHN Group; and Othman A. Ibrahim, Executive Vice Chairman, Group President & CEO of Rawabi Holding.

The event also embraced creativity, featuring a sand art performance by Shayma Al Mughairy, and a vibrant cultural center alongside an art exhibition, highlighting a range of activities and artworks created from sustainable materials. Interactive workshops, such as candle making and natural clay painting, offered hands-on experiences, while sessions like ‘Empowering Youth for a Greener Future’ highlighted the vital role of the next generation in driving sustainable change. The combination of artistic expression and informative programming created an enriching experience, fostering a community dedicated to sustainable practices.

The summit culminated in a vibrant sustainable fashion show, showcasing eco-friendly designs.

NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2024 2024

COVERAGE

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H.E. Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister Of State For Foreign Trade

Eng. Yasser Zaghloul, Group CEO, NMDC Group

H.E. Eng. Abdulla Mohammed Al Marzouqi, Director General, Integrated Transport Centre

Bilal Sheikh, CMO, Enercap Energy Holdings Ltd; Ahmed Al Obaidli, Chief Operating Officer, ADNEC E&C; Medea Nocentini, Senior Partner, Global Ventures & Founder of C3 - Companies Creating Change; Jeffrey Beyer, Founder and Managing Director, Zest Associates; Ramia Farrage, Senior Presenter & Producer, Forbes Middle East

The dazzling performance featured breathtaking designs that highlighted eco-friendly fashion from Rami Kadi, Nemer Saade, Temraza, Sara Onsi, Reborn, French Dandy, and Dunesi.

The evening also celebrated the winners of a sustainability competition, recognizing outstanding projects that have demonstrated measurable environmental impact, financial commitment, and innovation. The awards showcased the remarkable efforts of Middle Eastern companies and global projects, underscoring a collective dedication to fostering a sustainable future.

F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

Othman A. Ibrahim, Vice Chairman & Group CEO, Rawabi Holding & Vice Chairman, Magnom Properties

On behalf of Khalid Joher, Acting Group CEO, ROSHN Group

Forbes Middle East worked with a number of esteemed partners to bring this event to life: presenting partner, NMDC Group; strategic partners, Abu Dhabi Chamber and the Zayed Sustainability Prize; hosting partner, ADNEC Group; platinum partner, ROSHN Group; sustainability partner, ne’ma; associate partners, Emirates Global Aluminium, Emirates Steel Arkan, Binghatti Developers, and Forbes International Tower; event partners, Contact Holding, EFS Facilities Services Group, and Damac; wellness partner, Holistified; activities

H.E. Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi - (EAD)

Nancy Bahmad, Business Strategist & Presenter, Forbes Middle East; Muhammad BinGhatti, Chairman, Binghatti Holding; Khuloud Al Omian, CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Forbes Middle East

partners, LivHoli and Dubai Drums; food partners, Amazonas4u, House of Pops, Switch Foods, and Barakat Group; gift partners, Innara, Peaceful, Barriya, BloomSpoon, Touch of Oud, Fit Verse, Daima and No More Bottles UAE; transportation partner, BluSmart; entertainment partner, Manoth Entertainment; media partner, Rominds Production; furniture partner, Electra; plants partner, Desert Group; art partners, Evolution Events and Indigo Hotel; AI Innovation partner, BusinessBay; workshop partners, Reloop, and Hatta Honey; and beauty partners Laloge.

NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2024 2024

SUSTAINABILITY LEADERS SUMMIT

90 Anwesha Nath, Climate Advocate, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - Youth and Child Constituency (UAE)

Maxwell Stanley, Behavioral Science Lead, Sustainability, Department of Energy Abu Dhabi (UAE)

Dr. Noor Tengku, Senior Expert: Circular Economy, Fichtner Consulting Engineers (KSA)

Eng. Yasser Zaghloul, Group CEO, NMDC Group receiving the Sustainability Leaders award ROSHN team recieving their award

Maged Marie, CEO, Magnom Group (Egypt)

Seda Solmaz, CEO, Idea Atelier; Marina Antonopoulou, Chief Conservation Officer, Emirates Nature-WWF; Khuloud Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer, Emirates Foundation & Secretary General, ne’ma National Steering Committee; Carl Manlan, Vice President, Inclusive Impact and Sustainability, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA), Visa; Dr. Essam Sharaf Al Hashmi, Director of the Special Studies Office, Abu Dhabi Agriculture & Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA)

Ahmed Mulla on behalf of Mohamed Ismail Mansour, Chairman, Infinity Power F OFR OBREBSEM S IMDID DLDELEEAESAT.C S T.C OM OM

Rajah Elangovan receiving the award on behalf of Ranjeev Menon Group CEO, GWC

Samar Khouri, Online Editor at Forbes Middle East and Dr. Haythem Riahi, Founder and CEO, Circa Biotech

Kabir Mulchandani, Chairman & Founder, Five Holdings

Waleed AlGhamdi, Senior Director, Sustainability, ROSHN Group Faik Haddadin, Vice President – Projects, DAMAC Properties Salwa Al Maflahi, Executive Director of Sustainability and Community Outreach, Aldar Properties NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2024 2024

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Alexandra Topalian, International Presenter & Moderator and Adham Ghandour, Founder and CEO, EMAGINE

Mohamed Amer, CEO, El Gouna

Salmeen Alameri, CEO, Silal

Ivana Brnovic Ogbu Co-founder, Children's author on Sustainability Raise Change Makers (UAE)

Omar Al Busaidy, President, Future Pipe Industries (FPI) UAE & Oman; H.E. Lucie Berger, Ambassador of the European Union to the United Arab Emirates; Eng. Hesham Awda, COO - Offshore, NMDC Energy; Khalid Bin Hadi, Board Member, Abu Dhabi On behalf of Saeed Al Remeithi, Chamber of Commerce and Industry & Managing Director at Group CEO, EMSTEEL Siemens Energy UAE

Mustafa Alrawi, Group Director of Editorial Partnerships, IMI; Eng. Said Al Shanfari, CEO, Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC); Benoit Honnart, CEO, Electra; Saeed Al Shamsi, Group Othman Ibrahim, CEO, Rawabi Holding Chief Human Capital Officer, ADNEC Group

Ivan Mozharov, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Offset8 Capital; Derar Al Manaseer, Executive Director Group Strategy & Sustainability, ADNEC Group; Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President, EEMEA, Mastercard F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

Dr. Abubaker Musa Eltom, Siri Khalsa, Founding Sustainability and Social Partner, Sada Impact (Middle East), Founder and Responsibility Scholar CEO, Stance (Monaco)

Matthew Luckhurst, Managing Director, APM Terminals Bahrain

Muhammad Binghatti, Cofounder &Chairman, Binghatti NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2024 2024

SUSTAINABILITY LEADERS SUMMIT

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Talia Sherrard, Regional Director Strategic Sales & Marketing, Fugro (UAE)

Dr. Harsh Amin, Chief Scientific Officer, Ivy Farm Technologies (UK

Dr. Beatriz Garcia, Environmental Lawyer, Sorbonne University AUH

John D. Liu, Filmmaker & Ecosystems Ambassador, Commonland Foundation; Ties van Der Hoeven, Founder and Creative Director, The Weather Makers; Marcel Kers, CEO & Founder, Plant Lab; Malik Boukebbous, International Office Director, NMDC Dredging & Marine

Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral

Faris Saeed Chairman & CEO of SEE Holding F OFR OBREBSEM S IMDID DLDELEEAESAT.C S T.C OM OM

Moderator Laila Ezzat, Creative Producer, Forbes Middle East; Rateel Alshihri, Founder, Rateel Alpha Talk; Yana Dabaghie, Middle East and North Africa Regional Manager, Hult Prize Foundation

Kenneth C'Costa, Managing Director, Barakat Group of Companies

Amir Hanna on behalf of Issam Sagar Vice Chairman and Group CEO of NBK

Eman Al Awadhi on behalf of Dana Nasser Al Sabah, Group CEO, Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) – KIPCO

Hind Khlaifat, General Manager, Deraya Speakers; Elizabeth Markevitch, Founder & CEO, IkonoTV; Farida Temraza, Founder and Creative Director, TEMRAZA

Masdar team receiving their award NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2024 2024

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Elvira Jain, Founder, Ellye Management

Sara Rajabli, Founder, Rajabli.co (Azerbaijan)

Daxita Rajcoomar, Chief Sustainability Officer, Engie EMEA

Tariq Chauhan, Group CEO, EFS Facilities Services Group

Cedric Haddad, Celebrity Stylist; Rami Kadi, Founder and Creative Director, Maison Rami Kadi; Nemer Saade, Founder & Creative Director, NEMER SAADE

e& team receiving their award F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

Abdullah Al-Atrash, CEO and Founder, Natrify

Ayat Toufeeq, Cofounder & CEO, Powder Beauty

Anisha Oberoi, Founder and CEO, SECRET SKIN

Saeed Alghafri, CEO, Emirates Steel, part of EMSTEEL Group; Eng. Ahmed Salem Al Dhaheri, CEO, NMDC Energy (formerly NPCC); Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and CEO of Tadweer Group

Fahad AlOthman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, American Said Zater, Group CEO & University of the Middle East and Managing Director, Contact Founder of Humansoft Holding Financial holding

Saif Al Mheiri, Acting Chief Sustainability Officer; CEO, AD ports Group Abu Dhabi Maritime

DP World team recieving their award NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2024 2024

SUSTAINABILITY LEADERS SUMMIT

94 Dr. Rehna Ramachandran, Founder, Khadi Authentica

Nassima Menari, Founder & CEO, Holistified

Sara Serpilli, Art Manager, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown

Arun Bruce, CEO, TransformationX; John Keppler, Executive Chairperson, iyris; Mark Kahn, Managing Partner, Omnivore; Kenneth D'Costa, Managing Director, Barakat Group of Companies; and Edward Hamod, Founder & CEO, Switch Foods

Will Lock, Chief Growth Officer, Alef Education

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Ghaya Alahbabi

Silal Team recieving the award

NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2024 2024

COVERAGE

95 Rhana S. Kurdi, CEO, Skydrops Sustainable Water Technologies and Moderator Alexandra Topalian, Presenter/Event MC

Mashreqteam recieving their award

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA)

F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M

Noura Al Jasmi, Miss Earth UAE, Environmental Advocate

Moderator Engy Moheb, Social Media Team Leader, Forbes Middle East and Maryam Al Mansoori, Founder and General Manager, Rebound Ltd

Amal Chadi on behalf of Walid Sheta, On behalf of Talal Al Dhiyebi, President–MEA, Schneider Electric Group CEO of Aldar Properties

Ahmad AbuAlghaith on behalf of Abdullah Dalia Korshid Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of bin Nasser Al-Badr, CEO of Almarai Beltone Financial Holding

NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2024 2024

• THOUGHTS ON •

Social Media “I think there should be regulations on social media to the degree that it negatively affects the public good.”

“A large social media presence is important because it’s one of the last ways to conduct cost-effective marketing.

Everything else involves buying eyeballs and ears.

Social media enables a small business to earn eyeballs and ears.”

—Elon Musk “Social media is both a dark and brilliant thing for mental health.”

—Fearne Cotton

—Guy Kawasaki

“If people in the media cannot decide whether they are in the business of reporting news or manufacturing propaganda, it is all the more important that the public understand that difference, and choose their news sources accordingly.”

“The information you get from social media is not a substitute for academic discipline at all.”

—Bill Nye “I am so appalled by the whole social media thing.

I don’t get it; it doesn’t appeal to me. Neither does a computer or working on a laptop.”

—Thomas Sowell “Social media is reducing social barriers. It connects people on the strength of human values, not identities.”

—Narendra Modi “What is interesting is the power and the impact of social media... So we must try to use social media in a good way.”

—Marc Jacobs Elon Musk

“The dark side of social media is that, within seconds, anything can be blown out of proportion and taken out of context.

And it’s very difficult not to get swept up in it all.”

“When it comes to social media, there are just times I turn off the world, you know. There are just sometimes you have to give yourself space to be quiet, which means you’ve got to set those phones down.”

“Our attention spans have been reduced by the immediate gratification provided by smartphones and social media.”

—Katherine Ryan

“The power of social media is it forces necessary change.”

“Social media can be very effective in creating movements. In the beginning, that is how I first got attention.”

“I think social media has taken over for our generation.

It’s a big part of our lives, and it’s kind of sad.”

“It takes a long time to free oneself from chatter – goals, social media, image, persona. And if you're able to move through in that way, you can actually start trying to create from a different place.”

—Erik Qualman

—Greta Thunburg

—Kendall Jenner

—Sandra Oh

—Malala Yousafzai

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—Nicola Formichetti

—Michelle Obama

NOVEMBER 2024

FEATUREFLASH PHOTO AGENCY/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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