A Passion for Growth: Elie Samaan’s Inspiring Story
In the fast-paced world of fintech, Elie Samaan stands out as a visionary leader. With over six years of experience in fintech, SaaS, and B2B sales, he has helped businesses grow and scale across the UAE and Egypt. His journey from engineering to fintech success is a story of hard work, adaptability, and innovation.
Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, Elie developed a love for problem-solving at a young age. This passion led him to pursue a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering at The British University in Egypt, accredited by Loughborough University, UK.
Even before graduating in 2018, Elie showcased his entrepreneurial mindset by launching Elie’s Garage, a door-to-door automotive service. His business quickly gained traction, generating over £1 million in revenue—an impressive achievement for a young entrepreneur.
Building a Career in Business and Sales
Elie’s career officially began in 2019 as a Project Engineer at LEONI, where he worked on the Jaguar XE Cabin wiring harness project. However, his passion for business and sales pushed him to explore new opportunities.
Between 2016 and 2020, he worked as a Key Account Manager at Art Lines for Decoration (a family business), managing B2B client accounts. He successfully completed more than 20 projects for luxury hotels, including JW Marriott and Sheraton, proving his ability to handle client relations and business development.
Shifting to Digital Innovation
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 marked a turning point in Elie’s career. He joined 10Fold Innovation Labs as a Key Accounts Manager, where he built B2B partnerships and worked on digital transformation projects.
During this time, he also led the launch of Breathe, an activewear brand for hijabi women. His expertise in consumer research, e-commerce, and branding helped scale the business, which now generates over $400,000 annually.
Passionate about supporting startups, he collaborated with AUC Venture Lab to mentor university students in entrepreneurship and fintech. He also worked on the World Bank’s We-Fi program, helping women-led SMEs shift to tech-based business models.
Becoming a Fintech Leader
Elie’s entry into fintech and SaaS came in 2022 when he joined Odoo as a Business Advisor (Account Executive). Within his first quarter, he surpassed his sales target by 169%, expanding the company’s presence in the UAE and Egypt.
In 2023, he took on a leadership role at paymennt.com as a Senior Key Account Manager, overseeing portfolios worth AED 10 million per month. Under his leadership, the company saw an 84.7% increase in activation rates, proving his strategic sales and business growth expertise.
Commitment to Learning and Mentorship
Elie believes in continuous growth. He has completed executive education at Harvard Business School, focusing on Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, and holds certifications from McKinsey & Company and Udacity in digital marketing and innovation consulting.
Beyond his own learning, he actively mentors aspiring professionals, helping them navigate fintech, sales, and business strategy.
Vision for the Future
As of 2025, Elie continues to lead innovation in fintech and e-commerce, focusing on digital transformation and customer success.
His achievements go beyond business. He was awarded a prestigious scholarship by the Emmanuel Community (Diocese of Paris), selected from hundreds of applicants for an elite leadership and personal development program in Belgium and France.
Elie’s journey from engineer to fintech leader is a story of passion, resilience, and adaptability. His success proves that with the right mindset and continuous learning, anything is possible.
In a world where technology and finance are shaping the future, professionals like Elie Samaan are leading the way with vision and innovation. Do connect on Linkedin.
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