Experience

Aerospace Xelerated

• United Kingdom
• Technology, Information and Internet
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Aerospace Xelerated Ambassador

  • Jan 2023 - Present

  Aerospace Xelerated is a funded, 3-month accelerator for software startups that can move the aerospace industry forward.We are now at a critical point in modernising aerospace and the program lead by Boeing Company and key industry partners supports startups innovate the future of the global aerospace industry through strategic partnerships and investments.As the Aerospace Xelerated Ambassador I am working with the team on UAE ecosystem development, building partnerships and developing ecosystem activations to increase meaningful collaborations that drive business growth and impact.



MassChallenge Switzerland

• Switzerland
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Startup Mentor

  • Sep 2022 - Present

  Since 2016, MassChallenge Switzerland has been a leader in helping startups grow their businesses by accelerating 492 startups across the world in multiple industries. They have raised more than $600M in funding.The Mass Challenge Switzerland flagship program is the early-stage startup accelerator, which accepts startups from any industry, and in 2022 will comprise the agnostic program and 3 industry-specific tracks: Sustainable Food Solutions, Health Solutions, and Climate Solutions. All startups in the accelerator will be advised about how to make their business climate responsible and must intend to off-set their emissions or actively reduce GHG. In addition to the accelerator, MassChallenge Switzerland runs a challenge program matching later-stage startups with corporate partners in the food industry.I will be supporting startups in areas such as:• Communicating their value proposition & competitive edge• Building PoC’s with corporates• Making the right hires• Growing into the middle east market



Intelak Hub

• United Arab Emirates
• Airlines and Aviation
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Intelak Hub & Programmes Manager

  • May 2019 - Oct 2022

  Overseeing the Intelak hub operations and the Idea Lab, Incubator and Accelerator programmes and the plethora of activities that focus on igniting, launching, growing and scaling start-ups within the aviation, travel and tourism sectors.• Leverage the agile methodology whilst working with internal teams at the Emirates Group, Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, Accenture, Amadeus, and Microsoft to plan, design, develop and iterate global startup programs that ignite innovations and scale entrepreneurship.• Ignite, develop and cultivate regional and global strategic partnerships with universities, startup clusters, industry events, influencers, accelerators, investors and key partners to build the startup ecosystem regionally and then globally.• Design and build a community playbook to support inclusivity and endorse the Intelak Hub’s activities and engage the wider community in the Intelak Hub value proposition.• Design, develop and execute a framework of signature masterclasses, events and workshops, both virtual and in-person for students, startups, partners, senior stakeholders, and investors across the region and globally to build brand awareness and increase impact and value for startups.• Report to senior stakeholders on progress of startups and Intelak Hub and suggest recommendations for strategy and enhancements and get senior stakeholder buy-in to endorse and champion new innovations internally. • Mentor and monitor entrepreneurs on their KPI’s, PoC’s (Proof of Concept), scaling strategies and ensure tight management of milestones and progress of entrepreneurs and start-up companies.• Guide, nurture and support start-ups for fundraising activities with strategic guidance on areas such as business modelling, sales, marketing, overall strategy, licensing, operations, financing, fundraising.

• Programme Manager

  • Oct 2016 - Oct 2022

  Led by the Emirates Group, Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Accenture, Amadeus and Microsoft, Intelak is a start-up tech hub based in Dubai that launches, nurtures, and scales start- ups that support Dubai’s position as a leader in aviation, travel, and tourism. Through programs that support start-ups at the various stages of their development, unique access collaboration and co-creation opportunities and guidance from local ecosystem partners, Intelak Hub creates a unique ecosystem for its start-ups to disrupt, transform and succeed. Intelak’s vision is to continuously contribute to nurturing a local ecosystem of UAE National talent through the idea lab, developing and nurturing early-stage start-ups through the incubator, and enabling mature stage start- ups scale and work along with our world class partners through the accelerator.



Yogipreneurs

• Founder and Managing Director

  • Jan 2019 - Oct 2022

  Through both virtual and in-person signature masterclasses, events and workshops supporting our members in becoming the best version of themselves in service to their passions and life’s work. Through both virtual and in-person signature masterclasses, events and workshops supporting our members in becoming the best version of themselves in service to their passions and life’s work.



Impact Hub Westminster

• United Kingdom
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Head of Community & Programs

  • Sep 2015 - Sep 2016

  From Amsterdam to Johannesburg, Singapore to Dubai, the Impact Hub is a global network that facilitates collaborative action for sustainable Impact by enabling high potential individuals through the earliest stages of innovative ideas through to the final stages of growth and scaling. From Amsterdam to Johannesburg, Singapore to Dubai, the Impact Hub is a global network that facilitates collaborative action for sustainable Impact by enabling high potential individuals through the earliest stages of innovative ideas through to the final stages of growth and scaling.



Radicle

• United Arab Emirates
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Program Manager

  • Nov 2013 - Oct 2015

  From Amsterdam to Johannesburg, Singapore to Dubai, the Impact Hub is a global network that facilitates collaborative action for sustainable Impact by enabling high potential individuals through the earliest stages of innovative ideas through to the final stages of growth and scaling.My responsibilities included:• Full project management of entrepreneurial programs that seek out to promote and incubate ventures with a social impact. • Financial planning of program budgets to ensure all activities are carried out in compliance to the approved budget.• Relationship development and maintaining effective business relationships with corporate sponsors, key stakeholders, program participants, workshop leads, speakers, press and service providers to ensure the services provided by the hub were delivered in the most effective and professional manner. • Instructional educational designer, co-creating educational content with experts and set outcomes that address the specific needs of participants.• Leadership by recruiting qualified staff, managing performance, setting individual objectives for staff, developing and motivating staff, provision of formal and informal feedback and appraisal. • Global Connectivity through attending global social enterprise conferences such as ‘Unlikely Allies’ in Cluj, Romania to share and develop best global practises in social innovation.• Overseeing all marketing and content development of programs and creating marketing strategies to promote and grow our programs awareness.• Business Development through market Intelligence and stakeholder insights ascertain the prevailing global trends and social development needs and provide input to business development strategies and plans.• Design, deliver and complete assessment tools to gauge the success of the deliverables and ROI/SROI for stakeholders through impact reporting.



Mia Jafari LONDON

• Founder and Creative Director

  • May 2010 - Nov 2014

  Mia Jafari’s prints are inspired by the whimsical aesthetics of Eastern landscapes exploding with uber-kitsch iconography. Each piece is a highly adaptable and individual luxurious accessory which is just at home on the concrete urban landscape as it is at an exotic resort destination. Passionate and energetic, all prints and knitwear are expertly and ethically produced between the UK and Iran using only the highest-quality fabrics and yarns.Responsible for design and development of all new products from conception through to production. Utilising key creative skills to complete visual research, preparing drawings and paintings before using CAD to convert into placement and repeat prints on garments and accessories.Formulating and producing mood boards and colour stories - creating trend forecasts.Creating all patterns for garments from first drafting patterns, to making toiles to amending patterns to digital grading of garments.



WORKING MEN'S COLLEGE CORPORATION

• Trainer and Program Lead

  • Sep 2010 - Sep 2013

  • Lead IT projects to design curriculums and prepare lesson plans.• Mentor and assess participants to reach KPI’s and deliver targets in a timely manner.• Communicate program outcomes with stakeholders and make recommendations for improvements. • Lead IT projects to design curriculums and prepare lesson plans.• Mentor and assess participants to reach KPI’s and deliver targets in a timely manner.• Communicate program outcomes with stakeholders and make recommendations for improvements.



Creative Partnerships

• Curriculum Designer and Workshop Facillator

  • Sep 2007 - Sep 2010

  Creative Partnerships was the UK government's flagship creative learning programme, established in 2002 as part of the council's SR2000 settlement to develop young people's creativity through artists' engagement with schools in nominated areas across England.• Working across various ages and ranges to plan, prepare and deliver custom educational programs and training for clients and partners.• Working with the client to co-create learning experiences that have a deep impact on both individuals and organisations.• Preparing materials such as trainer manuals, workshop facilitation guides, educational resources, scheme of works and lesson plans.Clients included: London Zoo, Department of Health, Department of Education, National Rail and local authorities.