Get All Access for $5/mo

Start Up Like A Pro: Careem Co-Founders Offers Tips and Tricks For Entrepreneurs Careem co-founders Mudassir Sheikha and Magnus Olsson give their advice for those of you with the entrepreneurial itch.

By Aby Sam Thomas

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Careem
Careem co-founders Mudassir Sheikha and Magnus Olsson.

Careem co-founders Mudassir Sheikha and Magnus Olsson give their advice for those of you with the entrepreneurial itch:

1. "SOLVE LOCAL PROBLEMS." Focus on solving problems specific to where you are located, instead of trying to copy other enterprises may be doing in other parts of the world.

2. "HIRE AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME PEOPLE." Make your people part of your business' journey; make them part of its success as well.

3. "STAY FOCUSED AND AGILE." Keep your eye on building one profitable business, instead of dabbling in a variety of them and losing your focus.

4. "ITERATE LIKE CRAZY." Be receptive to customer feedback, and utilize it to build a better version of what you may have originally envisioned.

5. "DO WHAT YOU DO REALLY, REALLY WELL." Deliver on what you promise your customers- and exceed their expectations. If you can do that, then that's amazing.

6. "STAY INCREDIBLY LEAN AND BOOTSTRAP." Not only will it allow you to live longer before you need capital, but it forces you to do the right thing, forces you to focus, forces you to prioritize.

7. "FIND PEOPLE WHO CAN BRING IN MORE THAN MONEY." When looking for investors, look for ones who can provide you with smart money- they should be as committed to growing the business as you are.

8. "WHEN RAISING FUNDS, START EARLY." Build a relationship with investors even before you need the money- this will help you shape the product and business you're building, and this will give them the opportunity to see you in action as well.

Aby Sam Thomas

Entrepreneur Staff

Editor in Chief, Entrepreneur Middle East

Aby Sam Thomas is the Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Middle East. In this role, Aby is responsible for leading the publication on its editorial front, while also working to build the brand and grow its presence across the MENA region through the development and execution of events and other programming, as well as through representation in conferences, media, etc.

Aby has been working in journalism since 2011, prior to which he was an analyst programmer with Accenture, where he worked with J. P. Morgan Chase's investment banking arm at offices in Mumbai, London, and New York. He holds a Master's Degree in Journalism from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York.  

Entrepreneurs

Here Are The 20 Startups Selected For The Eighth Cohort Of The MBRIF Innovation Accelerator Program

The final participants of the year-long program were selected from over 200 applicants from across 35 countries.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Leadership

Steve Jobs' 3 Public Speaking Power Moves Remain Just as Relevant Today, 13 Years After His Final Keynote at the Apple Developers Conference

The co-founder and former CEO of Apple knew how to get big ideas across to consumers and investors.

Starting a Business

Watch Now: How to Create Goals That Will Turn Profit & Scale

Join us for this special Q&A with Clinton Sparks, who will share the techniques that can help you drive real results for your small business or aspiring ideas.

Starting a Business

Startup Spotlight: UAE-Based Egrobots Is Enabling Early Detection Of Crop Diseases In The MENA

Egrobots' robots can navigate complex terrain and confined spaces, ensuring access to hard-to-reach areas, and are equipped with sensors for comprehensive data collection.