PAST PROJECTS

Running My Own eBay and Amazon Online Stores (2013-2015)

During my stay in the US, I was fascinated by the empire Jeff Bezos built out of Amazon. And I was more fascinated by the process a single package goes through, from the shelves to the customer's front door. I spent years learning the smallest details related to launching and running e-commerce stores, processing online payments, and last-mile logistics operations.

After that, I decided to test my knowledge by launching my own eBay online store. I started buying second hand electronics from Craigslist and people I know and sell them on eBay for a small profit margin. As sales grew, I decided to stare the store focus only on video games and their accessories. I had partnerships with a couple wholesalers who supplied me with the latest products in video games.

After seeing the positive grow of my eBay store, I decided to launch a second store, but this time on Amazon. The store also focused on selling video games and their accessories. However, selling on eBay isn't the same as selling on Amazon. Amazon cares more about customer satisfaction than eBay, which meant more pressure and more regulations on stores to provide an outstanding customer service and satisfaction. But what made it worth it to sell on Amazon is their Fulfillment Centers. There is no doubt that Amazon would die without its Fulfillment Centers. Of course relying on fulfillment centers would eat a large portion of my profit margins, but it was a huge time saver to me personally.

I was running both stores as a part-time since I was attending school at that time. I used to spend 2-4 hours everyday processing orders, contacting wholesalers, and answering customers questions. It was a lot of pressure, but there was no doubt in my mind that the experience I was gaining would pay off at the end of the day. This is how my passion for e-commerce started and this was the motivation that pushed me to launch an e-commerce related startup a year later.

Launching my first startup "kube" ( Jan 2016 - Mar 2017)

"kube" was my very first startup that I launched and built. kube came to life for the purpose of solving one of the most complicated issues in the Middle Eastern region, the logistical issue associated with the rise of e-commerce. We were building a complete new modern logistical infrastructure to cope up with the needs of the e-commerce industry in the region. The Middle Eastern region isn't like any other region when it comes to how ready the region is for the rise of e-commerce. There are no addressing system, no effective last-mile delivery services, and an e-commerce market that is run by 70% of orders on Cash on Delivery (cash is king they say).

I started kube initially as an on-demand last-mile delivery startup in Oman. However, the idea developed into a much larger concept that is targeting the last-mile delivery operations in the whole MENA region.

I built a team of 10 of the most talented and skilled people I could ever found, and I was blessed to have one of the smartest Co-founders ever. The team was skilled at the most advanced technologies, from Software development, to AI, Robotics, Drone Engineering, and even Space Engineering. We wanted to build a very modern logistical infrastructure that solves a really complex problem, so I had to make sure that I had the best of the best in the team.

The main things we're trying to solve with kube were:

• The absence of an addressing system.
• The absence of an effective management of last-mile logistics fleets.
• The absence of a modern system that can manage and run Out-sourcing and Crowd-sourcing operations autonomously.
• The absence of modern on-demand warehousing hubs.
• The risk and inefficiency behind handling and processing Cash on Delivery orders.

We were able to have two of the biggest logistics companies in the region on board with us. They were interested in what we're trying to build and solve.

We started our work with designing product demos. We also worked on prototyping rapidly our consumer App. The prototype was developed in a couple of days and was built for the purpose of demonstration. A couple of the App screens are below.

We were also working on developing a model that aims to plan the routes for each and every delivery vehicle, taking in consideration minimizing the traveled time and cost, and the delivery-windows picked by consumers. We were basically working on solving the TWVRP (Time-window Vehicle Routing Problem). I was responsible of designing the algorithm of the model. The algorithm I used was a modified version of the Bees Algorithm called Enhanced Bees Algorithm. We started prototyping the algorithm and model on Python, but unfortunately we shut down the startup operations before we even finish the model.

I was able to find a copy of a draft of the Algorithm I worked on. It's not complete, but here it's for anyone interested.

In regards of funding. We were offered a seed funding of $100k from an Angel Investor, but we didn't take it because I wanted to make sure that I have a working prototype first. So I had to run the startup on my own savings which eventually ran out.

We ended up terminating the startup operations for a couple of reasons.

Even though things didn't work out as expected, I was really honored to be part of an amazing team and friends.

And I think the biggest win to me personally was the things that I learned from the mistakes we made during the 14 months of the startup lifetime. We learned so many things that no job or a book could ever teach.

Working with a Fintech Startup for a short period (2017)

After shutting down kube, I was reached out by the CEO of a new Fintech startup based in Abu Dhabi. I was asked to join the team for a period of 3-weeks to work with them on solving their issues with the development of their MVP and Prototype. I can't say much about this project because I signed an NDA with them, but I was really happy to join the team in Abu Dhabi and collaborate with them. Wish them all the best :)

CURRENT PROJECTS

Building the first Drone Analytics Startup in the GCC "SIGMAX" (July 2017 - )

A couple of months ago, I started a new startup with two of my friends called "SIGMAX". SIGMAX is basically the first platform in the GCC area that focuses on providing an end-to-end solution for enterprises that are in need for commercial drone analytics. The commercial drone market in the GCC is expected to reach 1.5 billion dollars in the next five years (https://goo.gl/NqZK8u) and the Omani market's share is about 109 millions dollars (https://goo.gl/tskXMv). We are aiming to capture 50% of the GCC market, and 90% of the Omani market.

We are currently at the MVP stage. We are glad to be joined by a great Omani mentor and adviser who is serving the Omani startup community more than anyone.

Here is our website: www.sigmaxai.org

"" To be updated ""

Launching The First Design Sprints Program in The GCC (Aug 2017 - )

Design Sprint is a framework developed by Google Ventures for the purpose of overcoming the toughest challenges in today's world. The framework is used by top 500 Fortune Companies, Startups, Governments, SME's, Airports, and much more. Sprints are designed in a very innovative way that enables any team to overcome their challenges in a matter of a single week. It cuts any time-consuming tasks and focuses on designing and prototyping solutions quickly. Design Sprints focus on three major factors; Technology (because tech can solve any problem nowadays), Business, and Users.

The program we're working on is focusing on running Sprints with Startups, SME's, Ministries, Government Institutions, Enterprises, and much more. We will help startups, SME's, and enterprises with developing and designing new products and solutions, or working on improving existing solutions. We can also help Governmental Institutions with enhancing their performance and implementing technology, but most importantly how to think and perform like a technology startup, just like how Google, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, and Uber innovate and operate.

"" To be Updated ""