November 26-27, 2024
The Arena Riyadh

Sion leads the ventures and investment activities at Plug and Play Abu Dhabi. From direct investments in early stage startups, to technology sourcing for corporate and government partners, Sion has interfaced with entities across the fintech, healthtech and industry 4.0 verticals. She led Plug and Play’s investments into Ciba Health and Wellx, and hopes to build a thriving local ecosystem for startups of all stages.

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

As Chief Digital & Technology Officer at Almosafer, Qais Ammori leads a multifaceted team responsible for driving the company’s digital strategy and technological innovation. With over 15 years of experience in the digital & tech industry, Qais oversees digital products, user experience & design, software engineering & architecture, DevOps, cloud operations, data and AI, ensuring that his teams have the resources and support necessary to deliver scalable and innovative products that enhance the customer experience across Almosafer’s brands. Qais is known for his passion for technical excellence and his commitment to leveraging state-of-the-art technologies. His leadership has been instrumental in the success of major technology initiatives, including the development of platforms like “STC TV”, which have become one leading digital platforms in the region. In his role, Qais is not only focused on technology but also on the strategic direction of Almosafer’s digital product portfolio. He plays a critical role in defining and executing the company’s product roadmap, ensuring that each product aligns with the overall business objectives and meets the evolving needs of customers. Under his guidance, the product teams are empowered to innovate and create solutions that drive customer satisfaction and business growth. Qais continues to drive Almosafer’s digital agenda, with a focus on creating dynamic and collaborative work environments that foster innovation. His extensive expertise in solution design, software architecture, and cloud computing, combined with a proven track record in building and scaling technology teams, makes him a pivotal figure in Almosafer’s ongoing success. Moreover, Qais is deeply involved in crafting the company’s digital strategy, ensuring that it remains agile and forward-thinking in a rapidly changing market. He is adept at anticipating industry trends and integrating cutting-edge technologies into Almosafer’s offerings, helping the company stay ahead of the competition. Qais’s dedication to achieving exceptional results and his ability to inspire and motivate his teams make him a valuable leader, committed to delivering measurable outcomes and driving Almosafer’s digital and technological vision forward. His strategic insight and hands-on approach to product development ensure that Almosafer continues to innovate and deliver market-leading solutions.

A Saudi Unicorn(s) builder, a winner of self-made entrepreneur of the year 2021 in Saudi Arabia, with more than 22 years of experience in information technology, research and innovation, and digital transformation. Built himself a unicorn that’s the MENA region’s leading e-commerce platform “Salla”, and an Angel Investor in 5 more MENA Unicorn(s)

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

NATALIA SYCHEVA Senior Partner and Researcher Digital Economy Expert Fulbright Fellow A researcher, policy advisor, and educator, Natalia Sycheva is synonymous with her innovative approach to strategy, program, and policy design, as well as her impeccable track record in nurturing digital economy ecosystems. She has played a pivotal role in supporting the establishment of new private and public sector entities and building their capacity. As a partner of Integra Seven, a policy advisory firm, Natalia leads a consortium of venture capitalists, policymakers, and researchers in conducting work focused on assessing the state and challenges of tech talent access and retention for the competitiveness of nations. The first public report on Dubai was launched in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Economy and Wamda earlier in 2023. A Fulbright Fellow with extensive experience in research and academia in international trade, trade diversification, and decision-making, Natalia has been instrumental in shaping the digital economy landscape. Today, Integra Seven proudly partners with the International Chamber of Commerce on a mission to drive the digital transformation of Chambers of Commerce globally. Recognized as the Woman of the Year by Entrepreneur Middle East magazine in 2019, Natalia has been a key influencer in shaping the digital economy in Dubai. She spearheaded policy advocacy work on behalf of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, focusing on critical issues such as tech venturing in the Emirate and capital fundraising. Natalia’s deep passion for supporting youth is evident through her regular mentoring of young talent and her involvement in projects like the Youth Career Guide program and Youth Advocacy Series. Her regular engagement at universities demonstrates her commitment to nurturing the next generation.

Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer, Headed the commercial department for Vodafone Romania and played leading role in turning around the business there from a declining YOY to grow by 13% and was the most growing Vodafone OPCO for that year. Led the Growth team in Vodafone Egypt building & growing one of the most famous telecom services in Egypt – 365 PROGRAM – which was the foundation for offer Personalization in the whole Egyptian telecom market.

With more than two decades of experience in leadership roles across the globe, Mercedes has cultivated expertise in strategic management, high-performance environments and international leadership. She seamlessly succeeded in implementing her knowledge towards founding Parkron, an innovative smart parking solution in the social and sustainable ecosystem. Her expertise lies in leveraging resources within to achieve success. Mercedes is a visionary tech founder in the dynamic world of technology and innovation. With a relentless passion for pushing boundaries, Mercedes is reshaping the landscape of smart cities and the tech industry with profound curiosity and a determination to create transformative solutions.

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

A serial Entrepreneur with multiple exits Ibrahim “Abe” Seksek is the current CEO of Rainmaing MENA and Africa. Before joining Startupbootcamp he Co-Founded a couple of companies such as ZenHR Solutions, which addresses the entire HR cycle, and Crystel, Jordan’s first business process outsourcing (BPO) provider. Ibrahim also worked as Head of Global Operations Support for Naspers, the parent company of dubizzle and OLX, which oversaw the operations in 70 countries.