
SEF Backstage Pass
SEF backstage pass is a platform powered by Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival. Think of this podcast as the behind the scenes pass to the festival experience, the inspiring talks from the keynote speakers, the thought-provoking conversations, and a glimpse into the magic that makes the festival truly special. Here, you will be joining our exceptional guests as they share their personal journeys; the changemakers who abandoned the limitations that others set for them and let only their ambitions dictate what is possible. This is not just a place to get inspired, it’s a community that you will relate to and a platform that will share real strategies and tools to get you closer to answering the question. “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Sharjahef.com
Episodes
54 episodes
Brisket, Business & Big Dreams: The Mr. Brisket Story
From a JLT balcony to UAE’s top brisket spot! Ahmed & Malek, the visionary brothers behind Mr. Brisket, share their inspiring journey of resilience, passion, and business growth. Discover how they turned a food truck dream into a thriving b...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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30:37

Beyond Textbooks: Raya Bidshari on Rethinking Education
The future of education is here! Raya Bidshari, founder of School of Humanity, discusses how her groundbreaking approach to learning is shaping the next generation. No exams, no outdated curriculums—just real-world, personalized education. Don’...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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22:17

The Business of Healthy Choices: Rashed Al Mulla’s Entrepreneurial Path
What does it take to build a health-conscious brand in a competitive market? Rashed Al Mulla, founder of Frio Sparkling Water, shares how he disrupted the beverage industry with sustainability, innovation, and community-driven business strategi...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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49:42

Mental Well-Being & Corporate Wellness with Asma Al Suwaidi
Balancing career success and mental well-being is no easy feat. Asma Al Suwaidi, founder of Art of Being, explores emotional resilience, corporate wellness, and the importance of prioritizing self-care in high-performance environments. Tune in ...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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20:07

Revolutionizing Logistics: The Startup That Moves Trucks Smarter with Pradeep Mallavarappu
How do you transform an entire industry? Pradeep Mallavarappu, co-founder of Trucker, reveals how his innovative platform is reshaping logistics in the MENA region. Tune in to learn about the challenges, successes, and the future of smart truck...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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27:44

Brisket, Business & Barbecue Culture with Hattem Mattar
From the grill to the boardroom, Hattem Mattar shares his journey of blending passion with business to build a barbecue empire. Discover how he turned his love for smoked meats into a thriving brand and what it takes to succeed in the culinary ...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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20:09

Revolutionizing Ice Cream: The House of Pops Story
Redefining ice cream with House of Pops! CEO & Co-founder Mazen shares how he combined health, sustainability, and pure ingredients to create a thriving brand. From plastic-free packaging to global expansion, this is a masterclass in ...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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23:54

Dr. Ahmed Ghanim Al-Ali on the Future of Work & Business
How will AI reshape industries, productivity, and the way we work? In this episode of SEF Backstage Pass, we sit down with Dr. Ahmed Ghanim Al-Ali, co-founder of Deep Opinion AI, to explore the impact of automation, entrepreneurship, and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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37:49

Building an Investment Ecosystem with Kushal Shah
Explore the evolution of startup funding in the UAE with Kushal Shah, a trailblazer in angel investing and corporate venture capital. Gain insights into his journey, lessons learned, and vision for building a thriving investment ecosystem. Excl...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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27:36

Future of Mobility: Adam Ridgeway on EVs and the Road Ahead
Join Adam Ridgeway, the visionary behind One Moto, as he explores the future of sustainable mobility. Learn how he’s transforming last-mile delivery with electric vehicles and pioneering innovation on a global scale. A must-watch from the Sharj...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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52:38

The UltraHuman Journey with Mohit Kumar
Discover the inspiring journey of Mohit Kumar, founder of UltraHuman, as he redefines health tech and wearables. From launching groundbreaking glucose monitors to achieving profitability, this episode dives deep into the innovation and determin...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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37:02

Rawan Baddour’s Journey with Zest Equity
From banking to entrepreneurship, Rawan Baddour shares how Zest Equity is empowering entrepreneurs and transforming private markets. Tune in to SEF Backstage Pass to hear her inspiring story of innovation, impact, and building trust in venture ...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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22:53

Brotherhood UAE’s Path to Healing Men with Adil Hussain
Discover how Adil Hussain is redefining masculinity and fostering connection through Brotherhood UAE. Join us on SEF Backstage Pass as we explore his journey of transformation, vulnerability, and creating a safe space for men to heal and grow. ...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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33:27

Revolutionizing the Coffee Market with Ali Al Ibrahim
Revolutionize your understanding of coffee with Ali Al Ibrahim, founder of Coffee App, on the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast! Learn how Ali is transforming the global coffee market, empowering farmers, and redefining loyalty programs. Recorded duri...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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27:11

The Story Behind ClassPass with Payal Kadakia
Discover how Payal Kadakia turned her passion for dance into the billion-dollar fitness platform ClassPass on the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast! From her multicultural upbringing to redefining creativity and goal-setting, Payal shares invaluable i...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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33:17

Building the Region’s First Ultra-Platform with Abdallah Abu Sheikh
What does it take to build a trillion-dollar ultra-platform in the Middle East? Astra Tech’s Abdallah Abu Sheikh shares his bold vision for digital sovereignty, AI disruption, and why the region needs its own super app. From bootstrapping to ra...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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28:15

Shaping the Future of Innovation with Nader AlBastaki
In this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, we sit down with Nader AlBastaki, Managing Director of the Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF), to explore his unique journey from banking and startups to leading one of the region’s most impactf...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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33:22

Building Deep Tech Ventures with Amine Staali
In this insightful episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, we sit down with Amine Staali, Founder and CEO of DeepMinds Ventures, to explore the future of deep tech entrepreneurship in the MENA region and beyond. Amine shares his inspiring jo...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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37:33

Nick Watson: Building Team AngelWolf & Inspiring Inclusion
Nick Watson, Founder of Team AngelWolf, shares his inspiring journey of turning personal challenges into a mission for inclusion and community building through the power of sport and triathlons.In this moving conversation from the Sharj...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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34:45

Redefining Success & Leadership with Adel Alfalasi
Adel Alfalasi, Head of the UAE at Oliver Wyman, shares his insights on defining success, building high-performing organizations, and the evolving role of entrepreneurship in today’s world.In this episode of SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, A...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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23:33
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Holistic Health & Life Lessons with Amna Raisi
Join us in this inspiring episode of the SEF Backstage Pass podcast, recorded live at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2024. Dr. Sheen sits down with Amna Raisi, also known as Amoon, a Certified Coach, Nutritional Therapist, and Yoga Teach...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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32:13

Protecting Our Oceans with H.E. Shaikh Fahim Al Qasimi
H.E Shaikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Co-Founder and Chairperson of Seafood Souq, shares his journey of ocean conservation, sea turtle rescues, and transforming the seafood industry with cutting-edge technology.In this insightful conve...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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24:30

From Setbacks to Summits: Fahad’s Story
In this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, Fahad Badar, high-altitude adaptive mountaineer, adventurer, and banker, shares his extraordinary journey. From summiting Everest to surviving life-threatening challenges on Broad Peak, Fahad d...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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36:21
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Nathalie Haddad on Innovation, Resilience, and Leading in the Food Industry
In this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, Jen Blandos interviews Natalie Haddad, founder of Right Bite. Natalie takes us through her inspiring journey from dietician to Dubai’s pioneer in healthy meal plans. She shares her insights on ...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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27:31

Building the Impossible With Chris Barton
تحديد الموسيقى "من العدم" كان يُعتبر مهمة مستحيلة. ولكن في عام 2002، أطلق كريس بارتون خدمة تتيح للمستخدمين الاتصال برمز لمعرفة الموسيقى التي تُشغل في موقعهم. اليوم، تطبيق شازام يضم أكثر من 300 مليون مستخدم نشط شهريًا حول العالم. وقد ا...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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46:43
