BNC Publishing
Welcome to the inaugural Entrepreneur Middle East’s 100! A full year in the making, this special issue celebrates some of the region’s most inspiring success stories.
Over the past year, our editorial team has meticulously analyzed not only every individual featured in the publication but also many who haven’t been. From an initial pool of 628 names, this issue is dedicated to the final 100 who, in our view, deserve extra recognition.
How did we choose the final 100?
It wasn’t an easy task, given the relentless pace of growth across so many sectors in the region. In its simplest form, power can be defined as the “ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way.”
This concept can be interpreted in many ways. For the purpose of this list, our editors focused on several key criteria:
Economic Impact
What has an individual done to significantly impact the region’s economy? It could be mass job creation, such as the efforts of Mohamed Alabbar, who employs thousands across his many companies. Or it could be wealth creation for others, exemplified by Kingsley Advani, the remarkable investment talent behind Allo.
Cultural/Community Impact
How many people have been positively affected by the individual’s work? Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Co-founder and CEO of Tamara, stands out here, with over 10 million users of his platform. Similar stories can be found at Careem or in Talal Al Gaddah’s work, which has helped countless individuals buy or invest in their dream homes.
Financial Success
While not all companies disclose financials, where available, we’ve looked at revenue and profit growth, as well as market valuations. For example, VURSE’s impressive market valuation highlights the rapid empire-building happening in the region, with many businesses quickly reaching hundreds of millions of dollars in value.
Innovation
This goes beyond new technology to include how products are marketed differently. Consider Mona Kattan and her Kayali brand—despite a crowded fragrance market, she has managed to carve out a significant market share through innovation and strategic branding.
Legacy
While we celebrate many young success stories, it’s equally important to recognize individuals who have had a lasting impact over the years. These legends include Fadi Ghandour, who founded Aramex, and Sir Tim Clark, whose leadership has made Emirates one of the world’s most successful airlines. Their achievements are milestones that will remain influential for decades.
It’s important to note that this list is a snapshot of success. If space allowed, we could have easily expanded the Power 100! What this list demonstrates is that when it comes to success, risk-taking, wealth and job creation, and, in some cases, changing the world, these are the 100 individuals who, in 2024, stood head and shoulders above the rest.
Here are the 100 honorees:
- Huda Kattan – Founder, Huda Beauty
- Samih Toukan – Chairman and CEO, Jabbar Internet Group
- Elie Saab – Founder, Elie Saab Group
- Maaz Sheikh – Co-founder and CEO, StarzPlay
- Michael Lahyani – Founder and CEO, Property Finder
- Raja Easa Al Gurg – Managing Director, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group
- Sima Ved – Founder and Chairperson, Apparel Group
- Elie Khouri – CEO, Vivium Holding
- Hosam Arab – Co-founder and CEO, Tabby
- Shayne Nelson – Group CEO, Emirates NBD
- Adeep Ahamed – Managing Director, Lulu Financial Group
- Patrick Chalhoub – Group President, Chalhoub Group
- Alex Zagrebelny – Founder, R.Evolution Group
- Adel Ali – CEO, Air Arabia
- Naser Taher – Chairman and Founder, MultiBank Group
- Hatem Dowidar – Group CEO, e&
- Mona Kattan – Founder, KAYALI
- Noor Sweid – Founder and General Partner, Global Ventures
- Fadi Ghandour – Founder, Aramex
- Sir Tim Clark – President, Emirates Airline
- Abdulmajeed Alsukhan – Co-founder and CEO, Tamara
- Mudassir Sheikha – Co-founder and CEO, Careem
- Talal Al Gaddah – CEO, MAG of Life
- Kingsley Advani – Founder and CEO, Allo
- Mona Ataya – Founder and CEO, Mumzworld
- Ronaldo Mouchawar – Co-founder and Vice President, Amazon MENA
- Badr Jafar – CEO, Crescent Enterprises
- Omar Alghanim – CEO, Alghanim Industries
- Khaldoon Al Mubarak – Group CEO, Mubadala Investment Company
- Sarah Al Suhaimi – Chairperson, Tadawul
- Rania Nashar – Senior Advisor, Public Investment Fund (PIF)
- Lubna Olayan – Chairperson, Olayan Saudi Holding Company
- Ayman Asfari – Executive Chairman at Venterra Group
- Khalaf Al Habtoor – Chairman, Al Habtoor Group
- Hussain Sajwani – Founder and Chairman, DAMAC Properties
- Mohamed Alabbar – Founder and Chairman, Emaar Properties
- Khalid Al-Falih – Minister of Investment, Saudi Arabia
- Yousef Al-Benyan – CEO, SABIC
- Amin Nasser – CEO, Saudi Aramco
- Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem – Group Chairman and CEO, DP World
- Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum – Chairman and CEO, Emirates Group
- Abdulla Al Ghurair – Founder, Mashreq Bank
- Majid Al Futtaim – Founder, Majid Al Futtaim Group
- Abdullah Al Fozan – Chairman, KPMG MESA and Saudi Arabia
- Raghu Malhotra – President, Middle East and Africa, Mastercard
- Nabil Habayeb – Senior Vice President, GE International Markets
- Jean-Christophe Durand – CEO, National Bank of Bahrain
- Asaad Al Bana – CEO, Al Ghurair Investment
- Imad Ghandour – Managing Director, CedarBridge Capital Partners
- Walid Hanna – Founder and CEO, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP)
- Fahad Al Sharekh – Managing Partner, TechInvest
- Ramez Shehadi – Managing Director, Facebook MENA
- Amr Awadallah – CEO, Vectara
- Rania Nashar – Senior Advisor, Public Investment Fund (PIF)
- Badr Jafar – CEO, Crescent Enterprises
- Omar Alghanim – CEO, Alghanim Industries
- Khaldoon Al Mubarak – Group CEO, Mubadala Investment Company
- Sarah Al Suhaimi – Chairperson, Tadawul
- Lubna Olayan – Chairperson, Olayan Saudi Holding Company
- Khalaf Al Habtoor – Chairman, Al Habtoor Group
- Hussain Sajwani – Founder and Chairman, DAMAC Properties
- Mohamed Alabbar – Founder and Chairman, Emaar Properties
- Khalid Al-Falih – Minister of Investment, Saudi Arabia
- Yousef Al-Benyan – CEO, SABIC
- Amin Nasser – CEO, Saudi Aramco
- Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem – Group Chairman and CEO, DP World
- Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum – Chairman and CEO, Emirates Group
- Abdulla Al Ghurair – Founder, Mashreq Bank
- Majid Al Futtaim – Founder, Majid Al Futtaim Group
- Abdullah Al Fozan – Chairman, KPMG MESA and Saudi Arabia
- Raghu Malhotra – President, Middle East and Africa, Mastercard
- Nabil Habayeb – Senior Vice President, GE International Markets
- Jean-Christophe Durand – CEO, National Bank of Bahrain
- Asaad Al Bana – CEO, Al Ghurair Investment
- Imad Ghandour – Managing Director, CedarBridge Capital Partners
- Walid Hanna – Founder and CEO, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP)
- Fahad Al Sharekh – Managing Partner, TechInvest
- Ramez Shehadi – Managing Director, Facebook MENA
- Amr Awadallah – CEO, Vectara
- Rania Nashar – Senior Advisor, Public Investment Fund (PIF)
- Badr Jafar – CEO, Crescent Enterprises
- Omar Alghanim – CEO, Alghanim Industries
- Khaldoon Al Mubarak – Group CEO, Mubadala Investment Company
- Sarah Al Suhaimi – Chairperson, Tadawul
- Lubna Olayan – Chairperson, Olayan Saudi Holding Company
- Khalaf Al Habtoor – Chairman, Al Habtoor Group
- Hussain Sajwani – Founder and Chairman, DAMAC Properties
- Mohamed Alabbar – Founder and Chairman, Emaar Properties
- Khalid Al-Falih – Minister of Investment, Saudi Arabia
- Yousef Al-Benyan – CEO, SABIC
- Amin Nasser – CEO, Saudi Aramco
- Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem – Group Chairman and CEO, DP World
- Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum – Chairman and CEO, Emirates Group
- Abdulla Al Ghurair – Founder, Mashreq Bank
- Majid Al Futtaim – Founder, Majid Al Futtaim Group
- Abdullah Al Fozan – Chairman, KPMG MESA and Saudi Arabia
- Raghu Malhotra – President, Middle East and Africa, Mastercard
- Nabil Habayeb – Senior Vice President, GE International Markets
Conclusion: Celebrating Excellence and Inspiring the Future
The inaugural edition of The 100: A Definitive Guide to Success by Entrepreneur Middle East shines a spotlight on the most influential figures shaping the business landscape in the region. These visionary leaders, from diverse industries such as technology, real estate, finance, and entrepreneurship, have demonstrated resilience, innovation, and strategic foresight in their respective fields.
Their contributions not only drive economic growth but also inspire future generations to dream bigger and strive for excellence. As the Middle East continues to position itself as a global hub for business and innovation, the impact of these trailblazers will undoubtedly pave the way for a new era of success.
This list serves as a testament to the power of ambition, leadership, and relentless dedication. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a corporate leader, or an investor, these stories of success offer valuable lessons and motivation to forge your own path to greatness.
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