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Zohare Haider

Building jalebi.io 🥨

Zohare Haider is an experienced entrepreneur and the Co-Founder + CEO of jalebi.io | جليبى, a B2B company that aims to transform inefficient processes in the global food industry.1 Jalebi.io is a Techstars '22 portfolio company, focusing on helping restaurants streamline operations and increase marginal income on every order.3

Career Background

Zohare's entrepreneurial journey spans over two decades:

  • Founded foona Review in 2005, an award-winning food discovery platform1
  • Co-founded Digital Street, a digital agency, in 201513
  • Served as Head of Digital for British Council from 2013 to 201813
  • Worked as Senior Manager PMO & Digital at Ooredoo Group from 2008 to 201213
  • Held positions at Acumen Fund and Rural Support Programmes Network13

Education and Skills

  • Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Relations from Bucknell University (2000-2004)13
  • Completed various certifications in digital marketing, leadership, and personal branding1
  • Participated in Startup School Online in 20193

Entrepreneurial Journey

Zohare's path to entrepreneurship wasn't straightforward. He admits to "losing in this game" for 15 years before fully committing to being an entrepreneur.2 His first venture, foona, was inspired by a quality issue he faced in a restaurant in Pakistan in 2005.2

Jalebi.io

Jalebi.io was born out of Zohare's extensive experience in the food industry and his desire to solve F&B challenges using technology.3 The company aims to be the #1 Restaurant Inventory Optimizing Technology Company.3

Personal Philosophy

Zohare describes himself as "a father, founder and failure, chasing a relentless grind".3 He emphasizes the importance of learning from failures and perseverance in entrepreneurship.2

Zohare's journey showcases the resilience and adaptability required in the startup world, as he transitioned from corporate roles to full-time entrepreneurship, leveraging his experiences to build innovative solutions in the food industry.

Highlights

Apr 5 · linkedin

Serious question, so please be serious 🥲

If you study Entrepreneurship in college, does that make you a certified founder?

I've been seeing this conversation come up quite a bit in recent years. I've even heard some critical opinions by founders.

I think it's especially curious when the first thing after such a degree, is to seek a regular job at a regular company, instead of a startup.

So let's put this to the universe ⤵️

Are academics diversifying their curriculum just to cash in on the growing demand for self-employment and opportunities being sought outside of traditional employment?

Or is entrepreneurship really something that can and should be taught to stimulate self-awareness and exploration of such a career path right out of school?

Can you teach the entrepreneurial sides of: 🥋 Resilience 🚀 Ambition 🤹🏼‍♂️ Balance 🤸🏼‍♂️ Agility 🏋🏼‍♂️ Focus 🏇🏼 Endurance 🧗🏼‍♂️Purpose 🧟‍♂️ Fearlessness

If so, I suppose my only question is, can college / university professors teach you something many founders themselves would struggle to do; pass on constructive and structured knowledge from experience, having gone through or continuing to go through it themselves?

The theory of building a company vs the practical implications could be no different than the myth vs reality argument.

Serious answers only. Unless they are really funny 😂

Side note: I have the privilege of teaching a class on how to nail the elevator pitch at American University of Sharjah where they do teach entrepreneurship.

The caveat here being that they have a great partnership with and soft entry into founder life through Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) taught by none other than Rodrigo Basco.

There are no wrong answers, only good vibes and critical thinking.


📸: Selfie after our panel on sustainability in mass production at Step 2024.


#Entrepreneurship #Academia #Founders #Students

Related Questions

What inspired Zohare Haider to start jalebi.io?
How did Zohare Haider's experience at Techstars '22 impact jalebi.io?
What challenges did Zohare Haider face while growing Digital Street?
How did Zohare Haider's role at British Council influence their career?
What are some key achievements of Zohare Haider in the tech industry?
Zohare Haider
Zohare Haider, photo 1
Zohare Haider, photo 2
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Location

Dubai, United Arab Emirates