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Gannate Khowailed
Engagement Manager at McKinsey with passion for Economic Development in the Middle East!
Gannate Khowailed is a seasoned professional in growth strategies, investment facilitation, and holistic transformation for top-tier clients.
With a background that includes positions at McKinsey, Google, and SRA International, Gannate has accumulated over 15 years of experience in strategy consulting, business development, and management.
Gannate's expertise lies in partnering with both Public and Private sector leaders to unlock their full potential.
Having worked across North America, the Middle East, and the GCC, Gannate boasts a global perspective on navigating complex business landscapes.
Academically, Gannate holds an MBA from George Washington University and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Cairo University.
Highlights
Owning the Lows and celebrating the learnings!
Today’s post is an unusual one for LinkedIn, it’s to celebrate a heck of a learning journey working on Foodiena Co. and the end of this chapter. About a year ago, I embarked on a journey to build a Food Tech startup, I learned more than I ever did. To sum it up, we ran out of runway before we could crack commercialization. With not a single moment of regret, I celebrate the chapter with its learning, I own the low as it fuel the next high, I thank the people that made it happen;
- Thank you to the investors that gave us constructive feedback and those that believed in us Abdel Rahman Shorosh Laila Hassan Alawi H. Al-Shurafa Ahmed Nabil -Thank you to the team that believed in the dream, put in their sweat and heart Mona El HalwagyShawn Brain -Thank you to my co-founder Ceren Gokoglu for fighting a heck of a fight with grace and intelligence
The message I leave myself and co-founder peers with is;
- Remember its >10% chance of success, ask your customers over and over, and speak to investors early and often. Let’s be selective with feedback and rationally balance feedback with the ability to dream big
- Startup journey is a lonely and challenging one (make sure to surround yourself with a team that’s in it to make it and lots of cheerleaders)
- Take care of the co-founders and the team, if we succeed, it will be because of them
As for what’s next for me, I’m still unsure, I know I'm solving for job creation, impact, and growth. Will see what the future folds. Either way, I have every intention to enjoy the roller coaster journey we call it life:)
Friends, any leads on high end F&B retail distributors in Cairo (supermarket chains, convenience stores, online grocery) for a high end long shelf brand in the healthy snacking category? Thanks much
