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Salim AkilSA

Salim Akil

Venture Building Consultant

$250/day
Dubai, AE
15+ years

Average response time: 1 hour

About Salim

I’m a venture builder with 18+ years of entrepreneurial experience, Forbes recognition, and a deep track record in turning ideas into scalable ventures. I’ve founded 3 startups, including eWhale.co, which generated AED 7M in revenue within its first 6 months, and have advised over 150 early-stage companies across the MENA region — from ideation to pre-seed.

I specialize in business model validation, go-to-market strategy, investor readiness, and scaling operations. I’ve led ecosystem programs with Khalifa Fund, ADGM Academy, Brinc, and Emirates NBD, helping startups launch faster and more effectively.

What sets me apart is my ability to simplify complex challenges, build founder-first strategies, and drive execution with speed and clarity. I typically work on venture building strategies, early-stage advisory, entrepreneurship content, and program design — delivering real-world impact across diverse markets.
  • English

    Native or bilingual

  • Arabic

    Native or bilingual

Can work on-site
Dubai (up to 50km)

Experience

  • BrincMENA
    Venture Building Consultant
    January 2025 - Today (1 year and 5 months)
    Advising first-time entrepreneurs through Khalifa Fund programs. Accelerated startup journey from ideation to pre-seed, focusing on validation & go to marketing. Enabled founders to overcome early-stage hurdles and build for scalable growth in UAE.
    Business Unit Strategy Growth Strategy
  • Beyond360
    Venture Building Consultant
    May 2024 - Today (2 years and 1 month)
    The Venture Builder operates as a co-founder, deeply involved from the initial idea to the seed funding stage. We offer comprehensive support, drawing on the expertise of our team and advisors throughout the startup journey.
    Supported 7 ventures in AI, FinTech, and eCommerce from ideation to market entry. Co-led a Dubai Government initiative, mentoring 150+ startups in a Corporate Venture Builder program. Guided FinTech startups through UAE regulatory sandboxes with Emirates NBD Incubator. Architected growth strategies for portfolio startups to achieve product-market fit.
  • Jam3yaFintech
    Venture Building Advisor
    May 2024 - Today (2 years and 1 month)
    To modernize and simplify traditional savings circles (ROSCAs) by providing a secure, user-friendly digital platform that fosters community collaboration and financial empowerment.

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Education

  • Communication Technology Engineering
    Mamoun University for Science and Technology
    Communication Technology Engineering
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Skill set

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